Consideration for HHS: Gov. Jennifer Granholm of Michigan

[Barack_America]

Pros:
-Smart, tough and skilled politician

-Term-limited

-Successful in implementing several important pieces of health policy as Governor (for example, under her leadership, MI has become the state with the lowest number of uninsured children)

-Supporter of state-subsidized universal health care coverage

-Chair of the Health and Human Services Committee for the National Governors Association

-Both as Governor and Attorney General of Michigan, pushed hard for consumer protection policies


Cons:
-Michigan is in a tough spot right now and she has been an excellent Governor. Can they afford to give her up early?

-Lack of legislative experience, particularly in Washington

-No stated support (that I can find) for single-payer health care

-Has been widely suggested as a potential Obama Supreme Court nominee


Thoughts?

Sources:
http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168--57920--,00.html
http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-23442-143157--,00.html
http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.29fab9fb4add37305ddcbeeb501010a0/?vgnextoid=1908224971c81010VgnVCM1000001a01010aRCRD

[Captain Hilts]

1. And she can't be prez, so she's no political threat. nt

[SuperTrouper]

3. Can't be Prez ....yet, unless there is a Constitutional amendment...

[Uzybone]

33. After the fine work of Arnold

there will be NO constitutional amendment passed in the next 50 years.

[SuperTrouper]

2. Excellent choice. Will support her if she is nominated.

[camera obscura]

4. I think it might seem like cutting & running given MI's problems. It could hurt Dems in the future.

[Mojambo]

5. I'd need to know where she stands on single payer.

But competence doesn't seem to be an issue.

[Captain Hilts]

9. She stands next to Canada. nt

[grantcart]

6. She handles the media well

[Barack_America]

10. She does. And a successful HHS is going to require a bit of charm.

That's why, as much as I like Dean, I fear he may be too abrasive to accomplish the difficult task of hammering through health care reform.

Granholm is a natural charmer. She's like Sarah Palin with substance.

[TwilightGardener]

7. What happened to Sebelius? Either she or Granholm would seem like competent HHS sec's.

Too bad Obama put Hillary in the SoS slot (still don't get that one), she'd make more sense as HHS sec.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

16. I think Sebelius is holding out for a Senate run.

She'd already turned down overtures for other positions, if I recall correctly.

[whistle]

8. Excellent choice

[LisaM]

11. She would be a good choice, and it actually could help Michigan long term

to retain a Democratic governor - the LT could then run as an incumbent, and not just get the boost from that, but be eligible to serve 10 years, if he wanted to.

[Still Sensible]

24. Is the current Lt Governor very popular

and is there every reason to believe he/she could hold that seat?

[fadedrose]

25. One good thing, it would get her out of MI nt

[Dawgs]

12. Are you kidding me? Abso-f*ing-lutely!!!

Great choice. She's tough as shit, and smart as hell.

[fadedrose]

26. Your choice of complimentary words is ...

really weird....shit & hell - and you like her???

[Bread and Circus]

13. Hell fucking no. I'm a Michigan resident, I have no confidence in her.

[Barack_America]

15. Care to elaborate on that? nt

[Bread and Circus]

18. She wanted to tax all physicians in MI 1% of their gross (not just net) income

in order to "pay for medicaid". However, as a medicaid provider they stiff me on the bill yet still pay hospitals and HMO's (Great Lakes Health Plan and Health Plan of Michigan). So, they want single out physicians for a special tax that a.) wouldn't fix the problem b.) not be indexed to income but rather gross revenue c.) take money from physicians and funnel it to corporations.

In the history of bad ideas, it was one of the very worst. Luckily, it went nowhere.

But with ideas like those, I don't need her as my boss.

[Barack_America]

19. That's a valid reason.

Hopefully that was just an oversight, rather than intentional policy.

[sandyj999]

17. I too am a Michigan resident and I think HHS would be a great position for her.

She was a great state Attorney General. As Governor, not so much.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

14. That's a great idea I hadn't considered. Thank you! (nt)

[rvablue]

20. Fine with me ... but I was hoping for a SCOTUS appointment for Granholm. n/t

[sandyj999]

21. That would be good also but I don't think she will make herself available. n/t

[fadedrose]

22. Hell NO

Just want to remind you of the Michigan faux primary, one of the architects of which was our pretty governor.

This was such a colossal failure that what things she did do right are dwarfed in comparison.

Do you really want health care to go the way of our primary???

I don't think ANY of MI's elected officials should be promoted to anything. Nicest thing I can say is that they're a lot better than Republicans..

[Barack_America]

28. Really? The most important thing a Governor does is host a successful primary election?

So important that the success or failure of assembling said election can overshadow any other failures or successes of the administration?

Interesting. I can't say that I've ever heard anyone argue that point before.

[fadedrose]

30. I can only assume you do not live in Michigan...

and you were not waiting for a primary to vote for the candidate of your choice. You didn't have to watch on Super Tuesday when umpteen other states all had successful primaries and their votes were posted on all major TV networks.

Even MI Republicans were angry about the screwup in the date of the primary.

How many other states screwed up as majorly as MI? Did you see our ballot?

[Barack_America]

36. My entire family is in Michigan, where I grew up.

And I can assure you that, as angry as they were about the primary, they are much more concerned about the economic situation in Michigan.

If GM fails, I can't think of a single family member I've got their that won't either lose their current job or lose their pension. Thus far, Granholm has been a good advocate for saving the Big 3 and that is what my family is focused on.

[fadedrose]

43. When Granholm ran, I supported Bonior in the primaries

He lost and so did we.

He opposed Nafta when he was House Whip - opposing Clinton who was president then - and so he didn't get their support.

Gov. Granholm can easily get a job with Revlon.

[PassingFair]

35. Then you haven't conversed with anyone from Michigan who was WATCHING...

during the primaries.

What a debacle!

[Pathwalker]

42. So, we're back to fighting the Primary wars again?

So, what are the rules? As long as you're trashing Michigan or it's Democratic Governor it's okay? Only one side can continue to flog that dead horse? Is "FUCK MICHIGAN" still in effect, or not?
Why is only one side told to bet over their bitterness, while the "other" side is mocked ad nauseum?

[PassingFair]

46. Because one side followed the rules.

And the other side tried to rig the system.

[Pathwalker]

47. So, that means it's okay for just one side to continue the fight -

but not the other. Who made this rule?

[PassingFair]

49. Maybe your side will successfully cover the truth up after time...

you are free to continue whatever fight
you think you're in.

:eyes:

[PassingFair]

23. And she is more qualified than Howard Dean...how?

Howard Dean is a doctor.

He was the FIVE times elected Governor of Vermont,
the FIRST state to cover ALL children.

Helped nurses to unionize on the East Coast.

Has worked TIRELESSLY for the democratic
party and it's IDEALS, including NATIONAL
HEALTH CARE for all.

She is a limp, DLC Governor, and I say that
as a constituent.

[Barack_America]

29. I believe that there are other requirements for a successful HHS Secretary.

First and foremost the ability to drive legislation through Congress.

As fond as I am of Dr. Dean, I do worry about his abrasiveness; it could either be an asset or a detriment to the position. The reported animosity between he and Emanuel would certainly be a problem, however.

[PassingFair]

31. How much legislation has Jennifer Granholm driven through congress?

I don't get your point.

[Barack_America]

37. Dean may be too abrasive to get health care passed.

That is my point.

A whole lot of people already have opinions on Dean, some good, many bad.

[PassingFair]

38. Dean is not abrasive.

He is assertive, just the personality
type NEEDED to get health care passed.

[Fire1]

27. She has already said that she wants to finish out her term as

Governor of Michigan.

[eridani]

32. No removing sitting Dem governors, please n/t

[Uzybone]

34. I like the idea

[JNelson6563]

39. As a Michigander I say, no thank you.

She is a little too interested more in political advancement than the little people. She made poor use of the bully pulpit and has been thwarted by the Rethug state Sen. time and again. Sadly she often forgets there is a whole lot of state outside of the larger metro areas, resulting in a literal forfeit of potential support for her initiatives.

And her part in the primary debacle demonstrates clearly where her priorities lie. No thanks.

Julie

[dmr]

40. I'd rather have Jennifer finish out her term as governor

The choices made by the Michigan Democratic leadership, which includes the governor, regarding the 2008 primary were expensive, embarrassing, and divisive. I still say they should reimburse the taxpayers. That said, maybe Granholm would do a decent job at HHS, I know she has the charm, and I know she's ambitious, and I know she likes the DC attention. But I'm not convinced she has what it takes to assure we would end up with a good and successful program. Whether she gets it or not, I hope I'm wrong.

The best person for the job is Howard Dean - though, the self-satisfied DC insiders might not like be called on their bullshit. But, maybe that's what they need.

[janet118]

41. The few times I have seen her speak . . .

I have been completely underwhelmed.

[fadedrose]

44. We need somebody more "ballsy" excuse my crudeness

She's lovely, soft-spoken, and in better times would make a great governor. Right now, we need a warrior-type amazon lady who doesn't take no for an answer who persuades until she's blue in the face.

Granholm is wimpy, lovely but wimpy. And I feel she's a shill of the DC consortium. Health care is a steep mountain - only the strongest will survive it.

[sohndrsmith]

45. What about Elizabeth Edwards???

I think I'm going to make this into a OP...

[Phx_Dem]

48. Works for me!

[HOLOS]

50. Super capable