NEW : President Obama accepts Daschle decision `` with sadness and regret '' Daschle 's nomination questioned due to tax problems , work in the previous two years . Move follows withdrawal of Vermont 's pick for chief performance officer . Daschle had been fighting to save his nomination after controversy over his tax records and questions over his work in a field that some consider lobbying . Daschle has long history with Senate , was Congress majority leader .
NEW : President Obama accepts Daschle decision `` with sadness and regret '' Daschle 's nomination questioned due to tax problems , work in the previous two years . Move follows withdrawal of Vermont 's pick for chief performance officer . Daschle has long history with Senate , was Congress majority leader .