Obama Examines Nonprofit Ties of Potential Appointees

November 20, 2008

Obama Examines Nonprofit Ties of Potential Appointees

As Bill Clinton seeks to decrease concerns about his foundation work so that his wife potentially can lead the State Department, another possible pick for a cabinet position is under scrutiny for his nonprofit ties.

Tom Daschle, a former Democratic senator from South Dakota, has been tapped to head the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to The New York Times.

But the newspaper writes that some concerns have been raised about Mr. Daschle’s role as a lobbyist for the health-care industry and as a board member of the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit health center.

To be sure, the newspaper says the positions may not prevent Mr. Daschle from accepting the post and that such work is common for ex-lawmakers. But given that Barack Obama has set stringent conflict-of-interest rules for his appointees, Mr. Daschle may test them, it says.

Some nonprofit observers say such rules have gone too far.

Jack B. Siegel, a lawyer specializing in nonprofit law, writes on his blog, Charity Governance, that the vetting of Mr. Clinton is unfair.

While also scolding Mr. Clinton for some decisions the former president has made, Mr. Siegel writes, “We like good government as much as the next guy, but at some point conflicts-of-interest and disclosure standards can be too stringent. A good case can be made that if we live in a world of equality and two working spouses, then one spouse’s activities should not be taken into account when making hiring decisions for public office.”

Read The Chronicle’s article about the questions being asked of Mr. Clinton.

What do you think? Should the nonprofit ties of Mr. Clinton and Mr. Daschle be a concern for the Obama administration? Click on the comments link to share your views.

— Ian Wilhelm

Comments

I believe checking on conflict of interest positions must really be checked. Lobbying for some interests have always been the source of corruption not only in the US but in most countries in the world.

— Erlinda Nov 22, 02:46 AM #
Mr. Siegel’s comment that, “a good case can be made that if we live in a world of equality and two working spouses, then one spouse’s activities should not be taken into account when making hiring decisions for public office.” is in itself extreme. Perhaps not always, but certainly not rarely a spouse’s activities may be pertinent when hiring for public office.

— Thomas E. Brandlin, MNA Nov 22, 01:16 PM #

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