Daschle Needed No Driver In 1986 Campaign Ad

Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination to become Health and Human Services secretary partly because of criticism over his failure to pay taxes for the use of a private car and driver.

But it wasn’t always that way; in a 1986 Senate campaign ad, Daschle is featured driving his own rusty green Pontiac.

“Among Washington’s BMWs and limos, is this…” the ad’s announcer intones as Daschle’s car rolls up.

“Maybe he’s sentimental, or just cheap,” the announcer later says. “Whatever the case, isn’t it too bad the rest of Washington doesn’t understand that a penny saved is a penny earned.”

Republican media consultant Mark McKinnon wrote that the spot showed Daschle’s hypocrisy and doomed his Cabinet nomination.

See the ad below.