Daschle Admits -- Then Denies -- That White House Agreed With Industry To Scrap Public Option (Brian Beutler)

Created by : Francis Goodwin View profile

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle acknowledged that the public option didn't survive the health care debate because of a "understanding" that the White House reached with health care industry stakeholders. He later walked back this admission. (File image)

Oct. 6, 2010 (Talking Points Memo) -- In a candid interview with the Center for American Progress [on Tuesday], former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle acknowledged that the public option didn't survive the health care debate because of a "understanding" that the White House reached with health care industry stakeholders -- particularly with hospital and insurance company trade associations.

But the White House has long denied this suggestion -- which was, until now, based mostly on speculation -- and within hours of the report's initial publication, Daschle, a close White House ally, retracted his statement entirely.