Dear DU, Howard Dean is leaving the DNC. Period.

[cali]

He's made that as clear as can be. He's not interested in heading the DNC under a dem president, as the DNC is simply an arm of the White House under those circumstances, and he's not interested in being a figure head.

Dean won't be VP. Obama would never choose him, and he's not a good choice for Obama anyway.

He is the best person I can think of for Secretary of Health and Human Services, though- has executive experience, has implemented innovative health care programs, is a fantastic motivator and he's a doctor.

[cliffordu]

1. Yep.

[zeemike]

12. I thought he was brilliant as head of the DNC

And he had a lot of people that made it hard for him
And perfect pick for HHS...that is if you want something done.

[madfloridian]

2. Link.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/2094

The part 2 is there now as well. Video included.

[Debi]

3. Mmmmmm Howard Dean....I'm sorry, were you saying something?

[blonndee]

7. Hawt!

[VolcanoJen]

21. Yowza!!!!!!

:wow: :wow: :wow:

[babylonsister]

4. Thanks. I hadn't heard that. I do understand, and DO like your HSS

recommendation. That's pretty smart imo; I hope Obama is thinking the way you are.

[SwampG8r]

5. i hate to lose him there at the DNC

he has certainly proved himself ethical beyond question
as HHS secretary he would be an awesome pick
i didn't know he was a doctor
we need a real surgeon general too

ETA i knew he was dr dean but i didn't realize it was a medical doctorate being referred to

[cali]

10. yep. he was in practice with his wife for years

he only quit when he became guv.

[SwampG8r]

13. then he

may want to return to practice
my wife is a nurse practitioner here in fl and she is doing a contract for womens health services in palm beach county
but she is waiting to return to her little practice here when it runs out
so i know how he may be feeling
its very spiritually rewarding

[cali]

14. nope. he has no interest in returning to practicing medicine

he's completely invested in politics.

[AnnieBW]

6. HHS would be perfect!

Either that or Surgeon General. Actually, make him head of HHS and his wife Surgeon General.

[newmajority]

8. That works for me, but I don't think it will work for Dr. Judy

I don't think she has any interest in leaving Vermont. Can't blame her. It's probably retained more sanity than any other state the last 8 years. If Jim Jeffords is still the most "right wing" politician in the state, I'd say they're doing damn good.

[cali]

11. she wouldn't have to leave VT if he became HHS Sec

anymore than she did over the past 4 years. And unfortunately, Jim is not the most right wing politician in our fair state.

[chieftain]

9. Great idea. Dean deserves so much credit for where we are now,

From bringing the netroots into prominence to the 50 state stragegy, Dr. Dean has been a forward thinker and a key part of the liberal resurgence.

[InvisibleTouch]

15. I'm sorry to hear that.

Even after Obama wins, we've got congressional elections coming up 2 years later, and we sure could use Dean's strategy. He won 2006 for us, as far as I'm concerned. I can't believe he would think he's no longer needed.

[iamthebandfanman]

16. yeah

he probably is leaving... and hes definitely not gonna be VP... altho itd be nice to have a doctor in the house.

[fujiyama]

17. I like the idea of having him as HHS or Surgeon General

How do the responsibilities for the two positions differ?

[JI7]

18. i thik HHS is more powerful

although there has been talk of Hillary getting that if she isn't vp.

[crankychatter]

19. Surgeon General... then he can go fishing a lot and write books

he's a hero to me

[cali]

20. Secretary of HHS would be a far better use of his skills and time.

Again, Dean has successfully run large organizations and implemented innovative health care programs. And Dean isn't terribly interested in fishing or writing books. His passions are healthcare for all Americans and politics.

[crankychatter]

22. I agree completely.. just trying to give the guy a break

he has done MORE for us than anyone in many, many years

even after the dirt that got done to him... he stepped up and displayed brilliance and executive genius...

the 50 state strategy is going to put Obama in the WH, and his leadership is probably responsible for the congressional surge in 06.

[gasperc]

23. leave on a high note

besides, it's an incredible grueling and thankless kind of job. The joy is the success and he will surely end his tenure as extremely successful no matter what the Dem insiders say.