Paging Dr. Dean!
With Daschle out, I believe there is now a clear front-runner for Secretary of Health and Human Services in the Obama Administration: Gov. Howard Dean.
Not only has he done a stellar job as Party Chairman, he is he a medical doctor with a record of getting health care reform done at the state level (Vermont).
The only downside I’ve heard to Dean as HHS is that some members of Congress don’t get along with him. I say “oh well.” What are the odds of pleasing everyone in Congress, anyway?
Check out these online resources to join the push to get Howard Dean nominated for Secretary of Health and Human Services:
Howard Dean for HHS Secretary Facebook Group
Appoint Howard Dean to HHS Facebook Group
Dean for HHS on Daily Kos
WhiteHouse.gov contact form
Online petition for Dean for HHS
February 4th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
I wished people would investigate Mr Dean themselves instead of blindly equating him with Mr Fantastic. This guy is Mr Racist right out of a Stephen King novel. (see Abenaki) He cost the DNC big money with the sex discrimination. His kid got to skate on a nighttime burglary job. His signing the Gay Bill was under extreme duress and not sincere. People check him out instead of just blindly promoting him. Do your homework.
KB Richard
February 4th, 2009 at 5:05 pm
Richard, sorry — I don’t buy it. The discrimination lawsuit you’re referring to is baseless in my opinion.
I’ve been involved with the Dean campaign and Democracy for America since 2004. I’ve been on conference calls with Howard Dean. I can attest to the fact that he is an effective progressive leader with a good moral compass. Over the past two years, his efforts are largely responsible for resurrecting the Democratic Party.
February 5th, 2009 at 11:34 am
There’s only one reason Howard Dean has not and will not gotten a cabinet post in the Obama administration, and that is Rahm Emmanuel. He tried to stop Dean’s 50 state strategy, which is arguably what won the election. Rahm doesn’t like to be proven wrong.
February 5th, 2009 at 3:55 pm
@Steve - I agree, but more generally. Personality conflicts would be what keep Dean from getting the post. Rahm yes, but some other members of Congress too.
Dean definitely has the chops for the job, though. If enough of us make noise in his favor, it might work.
(That’s partly how he became DNC Chariman, btw.)