Does anyone know about HOWARD DEAN'S current relationship with the Obama administration??

[polichick]

He's been making the rounds with the clearest change message re healthcare that I've heard. He's still the best on this imo.

Is he freelancing? Does he meet with administration people regularly?

What's the story??

[MNDemNY]

1. Disillusioned voter?

[polichick]

3. LOL - him and me both! nt

[Dawgs]

7. Then why does he keep agreeing with Obama that single-payer should be off the table, and..

..the public option is the best way to go?

[dragonlady]

11. Back in 2003 Dean believed the political system was not ready for single payer

His position was that single payer would be best for several reasons but that political realities would not allow adopting it at once. He believed it would evolve into single payer over time.

[madfloridian]

12. Dean does NOT think single payer should be off the table.

He has often made it clear he thinks that it has many good points.

He has said we won't get it, and he thinks the public option is the best compromise.

I have written a lot about this in my journal.

It is not true he opposed the single payer, he just thinks we will be lucky to get the public option.

[BlooInBloo]

9. That's funny because it's so stupid.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

13. I've got too much respect for Howard Dean to think he's that stupid.

[madfloridian]

2. I don't think he has an inside track to the administration.

The moment Rahm and the other Chicago folks were picked, he must have known he was not going to have access.

Health care has been his passion. He works with several groups. I do not believe he is doing this for the Obama admin....I think he is trying to hold them accountable.

He said he would do that.

[polichick]

4. Well, God bless him for doing it. He makes more sense than the rest. nt

[Autumn]

5. I think he is an

outsider. Seems some of the power people don't like him.

[Dawgs]

8. I'm not sure. He's been pushing the same kind of health plan as Obama.

I wonder if the relationship was intentionally kept quiet.

[Kaleva]

6. It's non-sexual last I heard.

[quantass]

10. One of the few TRUE democrats that care about the Country

[polichick]

16. Agreed - I hope the admin. gets that. nt

[rvablue]

14. I don't care if he does or doesn't. I'm just thrilled he is out there daily hammering this message

HOME!

And, maybe it's best if he's not working as an insider. Makes him a more fierce advocate for the people!!

Thank you, Dr. Dean!

[Arkana]

15. He's the butler.

[polichick]

17. Well, I hope the job comes with health insurance. :)

[DURHAM D]

18. I don't believe Dean meets with the administration.

I believe Dean is trying to get Rahm and Obama to do the people's business by speaking publicly and pushing for real reform.

If the White House and the Dems do a wholesale cop-out on reform we can expect to hear a groundswell of support for Dean to run as a third party candidate in 2012 or in a primary.

The numbers are with Dean. However, if Obama does cop-out he may still be able to make the voters believe that he didn't - he has the skills to pull it off.

[polichick]

20. Very interesting analysis - I could see Dean running again...

...and I can see me being a Deaniac again.

[DrToast]

19. They decided to just be friends. n/t

[billyoc]

21. He's feared and despised by the White House Chief of Staff.

He couldn't get into the Oval Office with a ranger battalion.