Dean, Sebelius, Bredesen, Podesta and Bernie Sanders

[Clio the Leo]

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders sent a letter to Obama today backing Howard Dean, who he called "eminently qualified," to head the Department of Health and Human Services.

A White House source, though, tells Jake Tapper that Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius is now the leading candidate.
AP reports that a decision is not imminent and that John Podesta is also on the list, along with Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen, though some advocacy groups were lining up to oppose his bid. Sebelius is seen as a favorite because of her close relationship with POTUS.

http://www.politico.com/politico44/

[Hawkeye-X]

1. I am backing Dean for HHS

He deserves the job, and should have gotten this nomination instead of Daschle. Whilst Daschle knows politics, you have to remember that Dean does. He works with Republicans very well, and that is his evidence as a governor of Vermont, which he enacted the Dr. Dinosaur legislation guaranteeing free health care for children.

Hawkeye-X

[slinkerwink]

2. kicking. Dean was supported by Harkin, Grijalva, and now Sanders

these are the real progressives.

[Cha]

7. Yay! We got a

3rd prominent person!

[napi21]

3. Unfortunately, I see inexperience in dealing with the Senate as a

problem with all of them. If we were only looking for capability in formmulating a new HC system, Howard is probably the best choice, but congress has never liked him, although I'm not sure why. (Probably because he always spoke rationally instead of just going along witht eh status quo.)

Sp,ebody could design the best HC system in the world, but if they can't get it through the Senate, it doesn't matter.

[Clio the Leo]

4. But wouldn't they be surrounded by those familiar with the Senate?

You think Biden would administer the oath and then say, "see ya later ... you're on your own! And dont bother Hillary or the President, they're busy!" :)

[napi21]

6. Of course they'd be helped, but there's something weird that is

inherent in the culture of the Senate. They have this unwritten code of comraderie. I think that's the main reason Obama wanated Daschel to have this job. Even though Daschel was too whimpy for my taste, apparently almost all the Senate still liked him which would have given him a big advantage in pushing a bill through. There's only so much Buden or any of the other Senators who are now in the new cabinet can do. It's still the designer of the plan who would make the presentations, and answer the questions.

[rvablue]

10. That isn't quite so...all week I was hearing that 1/3 of the Senate is new

to the body since Daschle left, a fact that contributed to him stepping aside as they weren't sure if those who didn't know him personally were prepared to go to bat for him.

I know...it's from the MSM. Thought I'd share anyway.

[iamthebandfanman]

5. this logic baffles me

what good is it to have someone whos 'liked' by senators if he doesnt have the knowledge to make real change in the health industry?

of course they dont like dean, he works for the american people... not his colleagues.

so sure, we could put some lackey in the position that everybody likes... but at what cost?
the cost of the american people?
the cost of doing the right thing?
the cost of actually solving americans health woes?

no thanks.

id rather pick someone who hasta bite , claw, and tooth his will upon them then some jack-ass who just wants to make the good ole boys happy while keeping their wallets good and fat.

i dunno if you had heard or not, but its time for CHANGE.

weve had enough of the 'buddy' system in washington.

[napi21]

8. You saw just this past week how obstinate that crowd can be!

If you didn
t get the chance to watch Bill Moyers this past week, it's worth going to PBS web site and watch the vider. It was the first 15 min. of his show, and he was discussing Washington & media coverage. The gist of it is that Congress & the media are all confortable with the was things have operated for the last 25-30 years, and are very averse to changing anything. His 2 journalist guests said the only way they can see that changing is for the millions of Obama supporters to continue to use the internet to force their Reps & Sens to do what they want, and if that happens, the media will have no choice but top report what's happening and that Washington actually IS changing! I agrree with them. The frightening thing is that I'm not so convinced that even 1/2 if Obama's supporters will actually take the time to flood email boxes and phone lines!

FWIW, I sent my 2 Senatore (both Pubs) emails telling them I wanted them to vote FOR the stim bill. How many of YOU here did the same?

That's tghe one thing the Pubs seem much more dedicated at doing...calling & emailing their Congress critters. I heard one dimwitt on one of the Sun shows say he got 25,000 emails, and that's by far the most he's ever received on ANYTHING!

[Stinky The Clown]

9. Politico is not a reliable, serious news source

Politico is a right wing propaganda organization funded by right wing zealots and posing as a benign, middle of the road news operation.

They are not.

That said, I would love to see this go Howard Dean.

[Clio the Leo]

17. Which is why I take everything posted there with a grain of salt...

.... as it is, they tend to have the scoop on everything. I'm smart enough to only BELIEVE the stuff .... that I agree with. :)

[tblue37]

11. Originally Sebelius removed herself from consideration for a

cabinet post, because we needed her here in Kansas, with all our budget shortfalls. I think she'd do a great job at HHS, but I hope she stays here in Kansas and that the post goes to Dean.

Her Lieutenant Governor is a former Republican turned Dem. I don't want a former Republican as governor. I don't trust their instincts when they spent so much of their political lives as Republicans.

[Fly by night]

12. What I emailed the White House re: Bredesen (and Dean)

"Please DO NOT nominate Phil Bredesen for HHS Secretary. As a life-long Tennessee Democrat, I say you already have enough Republicans in your cabinet. He sat on his hands in 2004 & 2008, refusing to support either you or John Kerry. His 'model' health care program, Tenncare, is anything but. Bredesen consistently polls higher among Republicans than Democrats. If he leaves Nashville, the Senate President, a Republican, will become our Governor. Howard Dean would be the best possible nominee."

[nightrain]

13. Dean would be good, but McDermott might be better as an advocate

of single payer.

[Cha]

14. Thank you, Bernie Sanders!

At least they'll know that some of us want him 'cause he'd be great..he's a fast learner.

Here's a petition that says we do.. 1533 sigs so far~

http://www.petitiononline.com/sec4hhs/

[eridani]

15. Pleeeaaasseeeee!!! NO MORE sitting Dem governors or senators!!!!

Dean. Or if not Dean, then NEJM's Marcia Angell, or former gov Kitzhaber, or former sen Bradley.

[Seen the light]

16. The only one of those that makes sense is Dean

Sebelius would be good, but stealing her away would deprive us a great opportunity to have her take over Brownback's open seat.

The other two are garbage.