Obama will name Ron Klain as Ebola Czar

[Scalded Nun]

Source: CNN

President Barack Obama will appoint Ron Klain his "Ebola czar," knowledgeable sources tell CNN.

The president on Thursday signaled his openness to the idea to have one individual coordinating the entire federal response to any threat of an outbreak in the United States.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/17/politics/ebola-czar-ron-klain/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

---

That's funny.

I thought we already had one...The Surgeon General.

Oh, wait. The fucking republicans have NOT ALLOWED a Surgeon General in to this administration.

Can't believe I forgot that already, it has played so well on the news these last few weeks...NOT

[LynneSin]

1. Well that's the smartest way around not having a Surgeon General

For now this will do.

[Major Hogwash]

31. ^^^THIS = Correct answer^^^

Yes, and maybe it will also help to tamp down the fear Americans have been expressing about ebola.

Especially after the mainstream media didn't do such a good job informing the American public that there is very little chance of contracting ebola.

Now President Obama has appointed a man to the job of dealing with ebola.

President Obama has done everything he can legally do to stop the ebola crisis.

The fear mongering will continue, however.

[Botany]

2. This is a case where the President can demand gaving a surgeon general

Somebody whose job is all about ebola is fine but we need a Srugeon General ....
A.L.G. in Kentucky should be getting after Mitch McConnell for his blocking of any
vote on President Obama's pick for Surgeon General.

[former9thward]

5. Reid is blocking the vote.

He refuses to allow an up or down vote. No, there is no filibuster.

[Botany]

8. LA Times Why don't we have an Ebola 'czar,' Sen. McCain? Because of the NRA

At the moment, we don't have a surgeon general. And for that, blame belongs to the fourth branch of government, the National Rifle Assn.

The NRA has put the kibosh on Dr. Vivek Murthy, whom President Obama nominated to the post last November, after the resignation of Surgeon Gen. Regina Benjamin. The NRA's complaint was that Murthy called guns "a health care issue" in a 2012 tweet. It's worth noting that the tweet came out almost two months, to the day, before the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre, in which Adam Lanza's gunfire took the lives of 20 children and six adults. One might take Murthy's comment as, if anything, a grotesque understatement.

http://touch.latimes.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-81656275/

[former9thward]

21. Reid controls whether there is a vote or not.

The NRA does not unless there has been a change in the Senate rules allowing them to stop votes. Reid could call a vote on this today if he wanted to.

[Botany]

26. I wonder if he hasn't called a vote because of:

a) Some senators are afraid of the NRA

b) McConnell will block it w/his "you need 60 votes pocket veto"

f9t

[former9thward]

29. The 60 vote veto has been eliminated.

The Senate changed that rule late last year for Presidential appointments. Some senators may be afraid of the NRA but that is no excuse to not have an up or down vote and put people on the record.

[Yupster]

52. Maybe Pryor, Landreaux, Hagan and Begich will push Reid for a vote

I bet they're anxious to pick a fight with the NRA right now.

No, Reid is protecting his vulnerable members from taking the vote before the election.

Maybe lame duck session.

[Turbineguy]

27. It would be a problem for the NRA

if more people started dying from ebola than from being shot.

[hugo_from_TN]

3. Political guy - no healthcare experience

I doubt this will work out well...

[Enrique]

9. very political

reminds me of picking Leon Panetta for CIA and DOD

[Man from Pickens]

28. Lack of seriousness is evident

Putting a political agent in charge of this effort is exactly the wrong thing to do. Why couldn't he pick someone non-political whose credentials are beyond dispute? What exactly was the motivation to pick someone with zero experience in the field?

Obama desperately needs some advisors from OUTSIDE his inner circle.

[JudyM]

37. Might not be a bad move if he knows how to get things done he just needs a team of medical advisors

under him.

Better than putting in a medical expert who doesn't know how to coordinate a nationwide effort.

[Shemp Howard]

45. Why can't we have both?

What is needed here is a medical expert who knows how to coordinate a nationwide effort. A high-ranking military doctor would fit the bill.

[kath]

47. hey, the head of the Ohio Dept. of Health has no health experience either, so it's all good!!

Cronyism is GREAT! For Kasich in Ohio, and everywhere else!

[Cha]

54. Howard Dean thinks it will work.. I'm going with Dean over the anonymous naysayers..

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

[GeorgeGist]

4. The Surgeon General is a physician.

Obama wants a lawyer.

[candelista]

14. He wants someone to keep the epidemiologists under control.

Otherwise they might propose something politically risky.

[former9thward]

6. It is not news because republicans have nothing to do with it.

Reid refuses to allow a vote on Surgeon General. People should demand he allow an up or down vote. There is no filibuster allowed on Presidential appointments. That was changed last year.

[Shemp Howard]

7. Something very odd is going on here.

The President has nominated Dr. Vivek Murthy for surgeon general. It should be a simple matter to get him confirmed.

All Sen. Reid needs to do is call the Senate back into session, and then schedule a vote. Since the "nuclear option" is in effect, only 51 votes are needed. What the Republicans want or don't want doesn't matter.

Why doesn't Reid call for a vote? I suspect that Reid is afraid of the NRA, who are opposing Murthy. It's time for Reid to decide: listen to the President or listen to the NRA.

[valerief]

12. Maybe it's not Reid but a number of other Dems beholding to the NRA. nt

[Shemp Howard]

16. Good point

Last edited Fri Oct 17, 2014, 08:20 PM - Edit history (1)

I hadn't thought of that. Perhaps six or more Democratic senators have already told Reid that they won't support Dr. Murthy.

[branford]

20. As many as 10 of the 55 Democratic senators are believed to oppose Murthy.

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

[Yupster]

53. If that's the case, then Obama

needs to nominate someone else. Someone who actually has the support of his own party.

Doesn't seem like this should be so complicated.

Ten Democratic senators tell Reid they won't support.

Reid tells the President he just doesn't have the votes.

The President nominates someone else.

Is this so complicated?

[KeepItReal]

19. IMHO, Sen. Reid and those NRA Dems are cowards

Put it on the record with and up or down vote for Surgeon General

Can't blame the GOP for this BS

[hugo_from_TN]

22. Or they oppose the nominee

[KeepItReal]

32. And that is probably the real deal

With Dems like these...

[samplegirl]

40. I thought we had a Surgeon General

Admiral Boris D. Lushniak, M.D., M.P.H.

[Shemp Howard]

41. Lushniak is the Acting Surgeon General...

He has 16 years CDC experience, including time with the anthrax team. For what I've read about him, Lushniak would have made a good choice for "Ebola Czar".

Rule of thumb:

Legal crisis? Appoint an experienced lawyer.
Medical crisis? Appoint an experienced doctor.

[ballyhoo]

13. Wait until you see the Republicans next October surprise....

[IMG][/IMG]

[rhett o rick]

25. Reid is protecting the Blue Dogs that will vote with the Republicans.

Do Democrats have control of the Senate? Not when some of those Democrats are Blue Dogs.

[kestrel91316]

10. Wow. Civics FAIL. The Surgeon General has nothing whatsoever to do

with infectious disease emergency response other than being the titular head of the US Public Health Service (one of the uniformed services).

Centers for DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION are in charge of epidemic response. Frieden heads CDC.

Granted, many PHS officers (there are no "enlisted&quot work at CDC, but they work a lot of places.

Yes, we do need a permanent Surgeon General rather than the acting Surgeon General already in charge. But it's not like US PHS is rudderless.

Stop payingattention to the idiots in the MSM (and I don't mean just FauxNooz).

[hugo_from_TN]

23. Exactly! CDC should be in charge. If Frieden can't do it replace him.

[TheCowsCameHome]

11. It's time to stop screwing around

Make the case for having a Surgeon General - take to the airwaves, if necessary, Mr. Obama - NOW!

This silly dancing-around shit is getting to be too much for my liking.

[branford]

17. There is no objection to having Surgeon General.

The objection is to Vivek Murthy as Surgeon General. That's more than a slight distinction.

If Obama nominated non-controversial physician, particularly one with a military background and/or substantial experience with infectious diseases, I believe the nomination would sail through the Senate (at least when they are back in-session).

If you or Obama believe that Murthy is the best choice for the job, you need to convince Democratic Senators who think that his gun stance is anathema to their electorate and political prospects. Moreover, if he Ebola issue is the reason why a permanent Surgeon General is necessary immediately, you need to explain how Murthy is uniquely or specially skilled or gifted for such a task.

[valerief]

15. Since this is a global issue, shouldn't a "czar" be from the U.N.?

Or McDonald's?

[ballyhoo]

18. The Republicans have an idea....

[IMG][/IMG]

[Cha]

42. Stupid Jeff Darcy..you would drag him out..Shameless CPD Editorial & Cartoon Attacks & Misrepresents

Wendy Davis



"The Cleveland Plain-Dealer's Jeff Darcy did some mansplaining via a cartoon in Saturday's edition, not only completely misrepresenting Wendy Davis and her position on abortion in general, but also stating in an accompanying editorial that her shoes are "blood-red pink" and claiming that she's an "advocate" of late-term abortions, stated in a way that would insinuate that she is actually pro-abortion."

It's hard to know which is more pathetic -- that the cartoon so misrepresents the motives and words of Texas Senator Wendy Davis, or that Darcy himself appears to be woefully unaware that there are still health risks to the mother and the child that can be discovered after 20 weeks. The frustratingly ignorant crux of his argument completely belies the reality that the majority of abortions after 20 weeks are ending wanted pregnancies and are performed specifically because of concerns for the safety of the mother, or because the child has been determined to have what will be a terminal condition, if it even survives to term. No, as far as Darcy is concerned, Wendy Davis is some late-term abortion fetishist that wants to make Texas a haven for baby killers. His language gives no room for even the suggestion of an understanding that there might actually be medically viable reasons for an abortion after 20 weeks."

More..
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/07/07/1221772/-Shameless-Editorial-Cartoon-Attacks-and-Misrepresents-Wendy-Davis

[Iamthetruth]

24. Great, another lawyer

Instead of a medical professional. What a joke.

[Mojorabbit]

30. This is a terrible move. nt

[7962]

33. "Heckuva a job, Brownie"

[PSPS]

34. Obummer. Not a doctor. No health care experience at all. Just a crony.

[nitpicker]

35. That was SO dumb

I don't know what got into Obama (other than century-old swamp gas) (or sheer panic).

Expect the Gross Old Party to make hay out of this.

[Cha]

55. Oh it was so "dumb".. that Howard Dean thinks it's a good idea.. going with Dean and not the cheap

pots shots spewing venom on the internet. Who gives a shit what the gop fuckwads say?

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

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

[Cha]

38. "Obummer"? Asshole RW Epithet for President Obama.

[geek tragedy]

49. Obummer? You're totally not obvious. nt

[Carolina]

36. Stupid move

We already have MBAs wrecking the healthcare system and now this... a lawyer as the Ebola czar

We need physicians, nurses, epidemiologists... some one with experience in infectious disease, public health, etc. NOT a fucking lawyer!

[Cha]

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

"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.

[Shemp Howard]

43. Perceptions matter!

Don't get me wrong. This Ebola situation needs a very talented coordinator at the top. And Ron Klain might be perfectly suited for the job.

But perceptions matter. They matter a lot! Mark my words. Because he's a lawyer and not a medical professional, any minor mistakes that Klain makes will be blown way out of proportion. This will hurt the President. Once again, Obama will have to play defense. And you don't score points while on defense.

IMHO, the President should have appointed a well-respected retired military doctor.

[whistler162]

44. If he had the same DU resident netdiots would

object to the appointing of a retired military type.

[Shemp Howard]

46. Sigh...you're probably right. (nt)

[Cha]

48. If Ron Klain gets the job done it won't matter that he doesn't meet others expectations.

"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

[Mz Pip]

50. The job of the Czar is to manage and coordinate.

He's not there to cure Ebola. I don't get the fuss over this. If the guy is a good manager and coordinator and can lend some organization to this mess then WTF is the problem?

[Cha]

56. Exactly Mz Pip.. Howard Dean agrees..

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

[840high]

51. No Surgeon General - talk

to Reid.

[Scuba]

57. Why? Why not just call out the Surgeon General obstructionists instead?

Oh, because some of them claim to be Democrats? Well, call them on that bullshit.

[TheCowsCameHome]

58. Amen x 1,000!

In my entire lifetime I have never seen our government this screwed up.

What a sorry state of affairs.............

[proverbialwisdom]

59. More.

http://www.revolution.com/our-team/ronald-a-klain
http://www.omm.com/classactions/