Here's the original NY Times Story, followed by three re-writes for radio.
1. What works about these stories...and what doesn't?
2. What are the key things we need to change about the print story to make it right "for the ear?"
3. How do we choose to include or exclude information?
Daschle Withdraws Version 1:
Tom Daschle followed Nancy Killefer’s lead today. Daschle withdrew his nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Although the media and certain members of congress have scrutinized Daschle’s income tax issues, as recently as yesterday, it looked as though his nomination was going to pass.
Yesterday Mr. Daschle discussed his remorse over failure to pay approximately $140,000 in taxes on time, but he assured the public he would continue to move forward with his nomination.
Mr. Daschle and President Obama jointly announced Daschle’s withdraw today. The move came just a day following a push for Daschle’s appointment from Massachusetts senator, Edward M. Kennedy, and Montana senator, Max Baucus, who happens to run the Senate Finance Committee. President Obama also voiced support for Mr. Daschle yesterday and today said he accepted the withdrawal “with sadness and regret.”
President Obama says it is now time to move forward. He appeared on ABC’s Nightly News to say he “screwed up.” Daschle’s withdrawal came only hours after chief White House performance officer nominee, Nancy Killefer, removed her name from the running. Like Daschel, Killefer had tax issues of her own surface after failure to pay unemployment taxes.White House spokesman, Robert Gibbs, said today, the White House did not influence either of their decisions to withdraw.
Version 2:
President Barack Obama has lost another cabinet nominee to unpaid taxes. Tom Daschle withdrew his name from nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services Tuesday after news of $140,000 in unpaid income taxes surfaced.
Obama initially said he would stand behind Daschle, but admitted he made a mistake in an interview with NBC’s “Nightly News.” He said it is not his mistakes that matter it is admitting them and not repeating them that counts.
Hours before Daschle gave up his nomination Nancy Killefer who was up for chief White House performance officer pulled out on the grounds of unpaid taxes as well. Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner was also found to have $34,000 in unpaid taxes. All of the nominees have since paid off their tax debt. Geithner has already been confirmed, but a White House spokesperson said the administration has begun the process of replacing Daschle and Killefer.
Version 3:
Tom Daschle has withdrawn his nomination to be secretary of health and human services. The former Senator has undergone scrutiny for failure to pay taxes. The move is a blow to the Obama administration, which has set a goal of higher "ethical standards" in government, only to encounter several scandals involving appointees.
President Obama gave several national TV interviews Tuesday, saying that he "screwed up" by pushing the appointment. Daschle is one of Obama's closest confidants, and worked to get him elected. He decided to withdraw, saying that he had become a "distraction" and that he could not lead White House efforts to reform the health care system.
Among those mentioned as possible candidates for the job of health secretary are Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, a former state insurance commissioner; former Governor and physician John Kitzhaber of Oregon, and Gov. Jennifer Granholm of Michigan.
Only two hours before Daschle withdrew, Nancy Killifer, Obama's choice to be "Chief White House Performance Officer" pulled out of consideration for the job because of unpaid taxes on a household employee.
Republicans have criticized the nominees for not adhering to tax law, while the administration negotiates new economic policies.
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