Tom Daschle Height, Weight, Religion, Net Worth, Age, Biography

About (Profile/Biography):
Tom Daschle is an American Democratic politician who represented South Dakota in the U.S. House and Senate for more than 25 years. Born on December 9, 1947, in Aberdeen, South Dakota, he graduated from South Dakota State University in 1969 and served three years as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command. Tom entered Congress in 1979 after winning a narrow House election and moved to the Senate in 1987. He became Senate Democratic leader in 1994 and later served twice as both majority and minority leader. Daschle left the Senate after losing his 2004 reelection campaign. He later advised President Barack Obama and helped establish the Bipartisan Policy Center.
Early Life And Education of Tom Daschle
• Tom was born in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and became the first member of his family to graduate from college at South Dakota State.
• Daschle earned his political science degree in 1969 while participating in Air Force ROTC and his university's Political Science Club.
• As a teenager, he joined American Legion Boys State and heard George McGovern speak, helping deepen his early interest in public service.
Military And Early Career of Tom Daschle
• Tom served as an intelligence officer with the U.S. Air Force Strategic Air Command from 1969 to 1972 before entering congressional politics.
• After military service, Daschle worked for five years as an aide to South Dakota Senator James Abourezk before seeking elected office.
• His first congressional victory came in 1978, when he defeated Leo Thorsness by only 139 votes after a recount.
Political Career of Tom Daschle
• Tom served eight years in the House before winning a Senate seat in 1986 and beginning his service there in January 1987.
• Daschle became Senate Democratic leader in 1994 and eventually served two separate periods as both majority and minority leader.
• He focused heavily on agriculture, healthcare, Native American affairs, veterans, rural communities, and alternative energy during his Senate career.
Congressional Leadership of Tom Daschle
• Tom helped manage the Clinton impeachment trial and later co-presided over the Senate's first evenly divided 50-50 chamber.
• Daschle led Senate Democrats through the September 11 attacks and the anthrax attack that targeted his Senate office in October 2001.
• He negotiated the power-sharing agreement that governed the Senate when Republicans and Democrats held equal numbers of seats in 2001.
Major Controversy Around Tom Daschle
• In 2009, Tom withdrew his nomination to become Health and Human Services secretary after questions arose over unpaid taxes.
• Daschle had owed more than $128,000 in back taxes, including taxes connected with a private car and driver provided during his consulting period.
• The episode also raised questions about potential conflicts involving his consulting work, contributing to his decision to withdraw the nomination.
Awards And Recognitions Received by Tom Daschle
• Tom received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement in 2003 for his public service and leadership.
• South Dakota State University later awarded Daschle an honorary doctorate, recognizing his long career in public service and national leadership.
• In 2019, the South Dakota Farmers Union presented Tom with its Ag Ambassador Award for his service to agriculture and family farmers.
Lesser Known Facts About Tom Daschle
• Tom spent summers working on relatives' farms as a teenager and once considered becoming a farmer before entering national politics.
• Daschle became a private pilot in the 1980s and has flown with U.S. military crews aboard aircraft including the B-2, F-16, and F-18.
• He helped found the Bipartisan Policy Center in 2007 with former Senate leaders Howard Baker, Bob Dole, and George Mitchell.