Elaine Kamarck blows away CNN fear mongering and GOP meme support on Ron Klain

[Fred Sanders]

CNN has tried to ride the Fox News bandwagon about appointing an intergovernmental coordination expert to coordinate intergovernmental response on the Ebola issue.....(pause to let that sink in)........kudos to Elaine Kamarck of The Brookings Institute, for defrocking the propaganda tripe with one swift blow pointing out a doctor has expertise in medicine, not expertise in governmental affairs.

The whole of government is the expertise of Mr. Klain as medicine is the expertise of a doctor.

Meanwhile how about GOP stopping the blocking of the appointment of a doctor where a doctor is needed, the vacant Surgeon-General post? Cat got your tongue?

Come on CNN, you can do it, it would be fun to point that out, do a apiece on the background of the vacancy, what with your screeching over Obama not appointing a doctor to a post where one is not needed?

Brilliantly played against the idiocy of the media, Ms. Kamarck, push back against the madness.

[GeorgeGist]

1. Idiocy knows no bounds

[Mojorabbit]

2. No, it was a stupid appointment

I have family that worked for HHS and they are terribly disappointed in these appointments of people who have no knowledge of their mission and no experience in the field. This is just another appointment of the same which will further deteriorate morale there.

[Fred Sanders]

3. Nonsense, please. The appointment of a doctor to a post requiring intergovernmental skills would

be appointing someone with no experience in the field, expertise is required in THAT field.

Transportation. International flight and immigration security. The deployed overseas medical military. The medical coordination and education, domestic and international. The government agency communication. I could go on.

Do not buy into the propaganda.

[Mojorabbit]

7. That is what they do. My family member set up field hospitals

deployed mortuary teams, coordinated teams of medical people out in the field during national emergencies, eg tornados, Katrina and more. They need someone who has knowledge of how things are done and why. There are plenty of doctor /managers working for HHS that could have done the job well and who have an intimate knowledge of the mission. I spoke yesterday about this with her. The morale at HHS is very low because of this continuing appointment of political operatives who view everything through a political lens. It is not nonsense.

[GeorgeGist]

12. Nonsense Fred.

Medical chiefs do this shit everyfucking day. Mr Klain is a failed lawyer.

[Fred Sanders]

14. Medical Chiefs do not do domestic and international coordination of private and public resources,

do they?

Are we on the same team?

You think him a political hack? Here is a true political hack appointment:

http://crooksandliars.com/2014/10/ebola-ohio-gov-kasich-appointed-completely

[geek tragedy]

15. "A failed lawyer"

[Cha]

42. That'll smear 'im!

[Cha]

52. Nonsense George.. Howard Dean thinks Ron Klain will be a Good Manager..

Howard Dean on Ron Klain.. "We've got to manage this thing. I think Klain is a good manager..."

http://metamorphosis.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5683312

[Gman]

6. You misunderstand the description of the position

The position coordinates governmental response. The position does not decide the best medicine and precautions for Ebola.

[Mojorabbit]

8. I understand the position perfectly. nt

[Fred Sanders]

22. Congrats, totally new position you totally understand the job parameters of, congrats, really.

[Mojorabbit]

23. As I said. I have 2 family members who worked these positions for 20 plus years so yes. nt

[msanthrope]

59. Really? Who is the Ebola czar in your family? nt

[Tweedy]

28. Setting up field hospitals, versus coordinating govt

A doctor would be good to set up field hospitals. This is not what this is. This man, who is not a 'political appointment', will be required to make check state public health are on the same page with the cdc, coordinate navy, pentagon, army, state, education, cdc, and on and on. This job requires someone who knows how things work in Washington, in the states and in governments around the world.

Since you have family in the health industry, I am certain you know the only folks with the ability to force something here on a U.S. Hospital are state public health officials.

[Mojorabbit]

31. This is what they do

They deploy teams during every natural disaster and coordinate it with all the fed govt departments and the state officials where disaster is. They are very experienced at it.

[Tweedy]

32. More

This is more than that. We have the CDC already. This is coordinating, making certain bureaucratic infighting does not get in the way, ensuring funds get where they need to go, & etc. Are there doctors who could do all of this? Probably. Are there doctors with the contacts in government this man has? Doubtful.

[Mojorabbit]

33. It is not the cdc. It is HHS. It is what they do and yes they already

have the contacts. They train continuously so they are prepared for every contingency. They have conferences with their state counterparts. They deploy after every natural disaster in the country. They already have people that coordinate it all. They understand what is needed and how to get it where it needs to go. There are top managers that already coordinate everything and even better they are familiar with the process, the state people in charge, and the people who will be out in the field as well as the bureaucracies involved.
This person has none of that experience. He is not the best choice.

[Tweedy]

34. Yes and NIH

What you really appear to be arguing is we do not need an Ebola point man.

[Mojorabbit]

35. We need someone to be on tv to build confidence and to coordinate response

and that is not this lawyer.

[Tweedy]

36. You don't like lawyers?

You might be surprised how good us lawyers can be at understanding what we have to know, coordinating disparate and disjointed parts and communicating effectively.

[Mojorabbit]

37. I want someone at the podium at a press conference

who knows intimately the ins and outs of needed response and our capabilities , has previous ties and relationships with state providers and understands their limitations and strong points from experience , can answer medical questions with confidence and knowledge, is not tainted by being a political appointee with no experience in the field (more people will trust a doctor over a lawyer), and has the faith of HHS and the NIH. There are a lot of doctor managers in both organizations that would fit the bill.

[Tweedy]

38. This man is not a donor you know

This is a highly skilled manager who has proven himself capable. I disagree with you, but doubt I can change your opinion.

[Mojorabbit]

39. No, you won't :)

It will take him a while to get spun up when we need someone now who can answer all the questions off the top of their head and inspire confidence in the system. Thanks for the lovely debate.

[Tweedy]

46. Time will tell

What we need now is calm and perspective. Time will tell if this choice can help with this. A surgeon general would be the best choice I think. Thank you for helping me think 😄. Such a thing is always welcome with me.

[Fred Sanders]

19. Some people just want to misunderstand, they wanted a political position and are outraged they got

a smart appointment.

[Gman]

29. I know

It's the people who, I'm sorry but, do not understand government. Not everything is about politics.

[Cha]

51. Dean doesn't think it was "stupid" "We've got to manage this thing. I think Klain is a good manager"

Howard Dean on Ron Klain.. "We've got to manage this thing. I think Klain is a good manager..."

http://metamorphosis.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5683312

[Proud Public Servant]

4. The guy's a staffer, pure and simple

There's bupkis in his resume that indicates he's an "expert on intergovernmental organization." He's your run-of-the-mill revolving-door K Street crony, and he strikes this Democrat (and Washingtonian) as a ridiculous choice.

[Fred Sanders]

5. Why is appointing an intergovernmental coordination expert to an intergovernmental coordination

position giving you pause?

Why is a medical expertise only person required? Not like he would be putting on a Hazmat suit and injecting a serum...

[Proud Public Servant]

11. You missed my point

He's NOT "an intergovernmental coordination expert." He's a staffer. His whole career has been spent minding the person above him (Reno, Gore, Biden). I've seen good interagency coordination in action and, believe me, these are not the go-to guys for it.

[Fred Sanders]

13. "Ebola Response Co-ordinator" is the official brand new position, a managerial coordination job.

It is created within the WH. It was not meant to be a medical position.

[Proud Public Servant]

17. Again, the point is

That you are claiming, or accepting the claim, that Klain is an "an intergovernmental coordination expert." That claim is dubious at best.

[geek tragedy]

24. What do you think he did in his 12 years as a very senior

member of the Clinton and Obama administrations- folding napkins?

[geek tragedy]

16. Do you know what a chief of staff does?

Obviously not.

[Proud Public Servant]

18. Yup, I've worked with plenty of them

Interagency coordination is absolutely not in their wheelhouse.

[geek tragedy]

21. Interagency coordination isn't in the

wheelhouse of White House staffers, including Biden and Gore's chief of staff?

This guy was a senior member of the Obama White House team. What cabinet level position did you hold that makes your assessment of Klain's expertise greater than the President's?

[Fred Sanders]

20. So it boils down to if you do not trust Obama or do...we are all on DU, as I remember.

Last edited Fri Oct 17, 2014, 03:47 PM - Edit history (1)

[geek tragedy]

9. You forgot to mention Benghazi.

He was the chief of staff for Biden and Gore.

[Fred Sanders]

10. He is an excellent manager for a managerial position, not a medical position, and appointing a

trusted friend and Democrat is the prize you win when you are a twice elected President.

[cherokeeprogressive]

27. And there it is... "appointing a trusted friend and Democrat is the prize you win..."

Finally, some honesty.

[branford]

49. Is his job protecting the American people from Ebola or

protecting the president from the political impact of Ebola?

I personally don't know if he's the best choice to coordinate governmental Ebola response, but it's readily apparent that he has no public health or medical experience and he was chosen due to his relationship to the president and Democratic Party.

If he does a great job, fantastic. However, any screw-ups or spreading of the disease, particularly before the November election, could permanently damage the president's legacy and influence (who's managerial polling is already terrible) and hurt Democratic electoral chances in the future and the public's perception of government competence, a pillar of Democratic philosophy.

Accordingly, I think it was a poor choice because such a obvious political selection gives Republican's ammunition to criticize Democrats in a manner that could resonate with much of the public just weeks before the election, particularly since just a day or two ago Obama explicitly stated such a Czar was unnecessary. I would much rather have seen someone with far more public gravitas such as a Colin Powell or Russell Honore, and who are far less politically risky for the Democratic brand.

[Tweedy]

30. He was point under VP Biden on the stimulus

... And that enormous amount of money went out successfully all over this country with next to no fraud, an almost unheard of success in government. No-one in Washington seems to care about this incredible success story. Makes us wonder out here in the hustings why not.

[Cha]

48. They naysayers don't care.. He's not a Dr! He's not this he's not that!.. he's..

"President Obama has asked Ron Klain to coordinate the government’s comprehensive response to Ebola. He will report to the President Obama’s Homeland Security Advisor Lisa Monaco and his National Security Advisor Susan Rice.

As former Chief of Staff to two Vice Presidents, Klain comes to the job with extensive experience in overseeing complex governmental operations and has good working relationships with leading Members of Congress as well as senior Administration officials.

Klain’s talent and managerial skill will be crucial in providing the resources and expertise we need to rapidly, cohesively, and effectively respond to Ebola at home and abroad. As the President said, while "the dangers of a serious outbreak are extraordinarily low" in the U.S., "we are taking this very seriously at the highest levels of government." Klain will be an integral part of ensuring that we effectively respond and ultimately bring an end to Ebola.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/10/17/president-obama-names-ron-klain-coordinate-us-response-ebola

[Cha]

54. But, Klain has Dr Dean's approval.."We've got to manage this thing. I think Klain is a good manager"

Howard Dean on Ron Klain.. "We've got to manage this thing. I think Klain is a good manager..."

http://metamorphosis.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5683312

[Cha]

53. Your statement condeming Ron Klain is "ridiculous".. Howard Dean thinks Ron Klain will be

a good manager.

Howard Dean on Ron Klain.. "We've got to manage this thing. I think Klain is a good manager..."

http://metamorphosis.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5683312

[Mojorabbit]

56. Posting this three times does not make it a good decision. nt

[Cha]

57. Oh Boo HOO... I posted it more than once to those who needed to see ti. It's a good decision

according to Dr Dean .. and I don't care what some anonymous posters on the internet have to say about it being "stupid" and "ridiculous".

[Mojorabbit]

60. Well gosh, I certainly did not expect anything else

i don't believe you have ever not liked anything our President has done and I would probably faint if you did so now. Have a lovely evening.

[Cha]

61. Yeah, sorry.. Dr Dean has more cred than those who dig in their heels and proclaim it a failure.

[Mojorabbit]

62. What do YOU think?

i would love your reasoned response on why you think this is a good choice. I am here to discuss policy, current events, and appointments. I don't base my opinions on what any particular politician says. I have the flu and am stuck here in this bed and would love a lively discussion such as the one I had with the wonderful poster on this thread. Why do YOU think this person is the perfect choice?

[RussBLib]

25. No matter who Obama picked there would be critics

Damned if he does, damned if he doesn't.

[underpants]

26. Not according to this poll :-)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025679184

[tritsofme]

40. Senate Democrats are blocking the Surgeon General, not Republicans.

The nominee can be confirmed without a single Republican vote. Senate Democrats have chosen not to confirm. Reid seems likely to move the nomination during the lame duck, but it is a few Democrats that are holding things up.

Republican hypocrisy is on full display, as they oppose both Klain and Murthy, but they cannot be blamed for the stalled nomination.

[Fred Sanders]

41. ALL Republicans are voting against for no good reason....are you on the right site?

[tritsofme]

43. I originally had little problem with the Reid strategy of waiting until the lame duck.

But this ebola "crisis" has made it bad optics.

I take it for granted that Republicans will oppose for no good reason, that's why we implemented the nuclear option. But it is simply not true to say that Republicans are blocking the nomination.

But thanks for the little dig, I hope you don't try to jail me for pointing out a fact.

[Fred Sanders]

44. "Democrats are blocking...." always raises my temperature.

[branford]

50. Regardless of whether it annoys you, Democrats are, in fact, blocking Murthy's confirmation.

There are 55 Democrats in the US Senate, no filibuster on executive appoints due to Democrats instituting the "nuclear option," and Murthy only needs 50+1 votes for confirmation.

All 45 Republicans, and even 5 Democrats, can vote against Murthy, and he would still be confirmed (Biden would break any tie),

However, as many as 10 Democrats do not support the nomination, and Reid, the Democratic Majority Leader, refuses to bring Murthy's nomination to a vote to avoid the humiliation of a defeat and to prevent vulnerable Democrats from having to cast an potentially unpopular vote. They were forced not too long ago to do that with Debo Adegbile, and they will not tolerate it again. Ironically, most Republicans would love to cast a vote against Murthy, as it would burnish their 2A credentials, which would last well after the Ebola crisis ends. Even if Republicans could still use the filibuster, they would probably not do so for a position as largely ceremonial as Surgeon General when such a vote could have other lasting political benefits.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/15/us/senate-balks-at-obama-pick-for-surgeon-general.html

[Cha]

45. Oh they can be blamed.. as well as those dems who think the nra is going to do something for them.

[Cha]

47. Who is Ron Klain, who will lead the Obama administration’s response to Ebola?

snip//

"Ron Klain has been asked by the President to coordinate the U.S. Ebola response, so he will be taking a leave of absence," Steve and Jean Case said in a statement. "We applaud the President’s selection, as Ron is a talented manager and a wise counselor who understands government, business, and the non-profit sectors. We wish him the best as he takes on this important task, and we look forward to welcoming him back soon.”

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2014/10/17/who-is-ron-klain-who-will-lead-the-obama-administrations-response-to-ebola/

LOl.. the rw assholes in the comment section of the WAPO are whining about this appointment, too. Such ignorance. They know nothing about it.. but they do know it's a chance to spew their venom on the President.

[Mojorabbit]

55. I like the President and I think it is a crappy appointment.

He has no medical background or experience in the field managing national disasters. I sure don't feel more confident with him in charge. But whatever.

[Cha]

58. I don't care about his medical background.. Dr Dean thinks it's a good idea.. and yeah I'll post

this again..

Howard Dean on Ron Klain.. "We've got to manage this thing. I think Klain is a good manager..."

http://metamorphosis.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=5683312