Wow, seems like everybody and his brother is calling for Obama to appoint Dean to HHS

[RiverStone]

Google Howard Dean and HHS --- see!

Considering President Obama has appointed rethugs to Transportation, Commerce, and Defense; IMO a Dean appointment to HHS would offer a wonderful parity within his administration. Most of the Dems he has appointed have been closer to the center, than center-left like Dean.

We all know that Dr. Dean is uniquely qualified to take on Health Care Industry/Insurance reform. Dean's 50 state strategy in large measure, helped Obama win the White House.

At this point, the call for Dean is a notch below a frenzy. I would expect that already, expectations are high enough that if Dean is not offered it, there will be a BIG let down.



I'd be so damn happy if Howard Dean got the post, it would easily trump my disappointment at the three rethug appointments. I know it would thrill many of us that hang out to the left of center! :hi:

[roguevalley]

1. you know, everytime I see that man he looks younger. what a

handsome dude. :)

[Myrina]

8. ... read the fine print, that cover is from 2004

But he still is one HANDSOME HUNKY POINTY HEADED LIBERAL!!!

:loveya: :patriot: :loveya: :patriot:

[RiverStone]

12. I just think it is a great pic!

No connection tho between the RS cover and today's news...other than he is still The MAN!

[BrklynLiberal]

16. Wanna see a really great pic of Dr. Dean? >>>>>>>>>

yummy


and for a more mature rendering....

[Myrina]

17. I'd been hoping someone would post the "Young Dr Dean" pic ...

... I never managed to screen cap it when it was first circulating.

He's ALWAYS gonna be my hero! :patriot:


:loveya: THANKS!!!

[roguevalley]

21. even recently. I've seen him interviewed on Jon Stewart and others

and he looks younger each time. I guess when you are true to yourself it shows. The man is fine. :)

[elizfeelinggreat]

2. Yes!

That would call for another celebration party!

[ljm2002]

3. Oh I so hope it happens...

...Dr. Dean has demonstrated real ability in the political arena. It can't have been easy pushing through the 50-state strategy against the express wishes of powerful DLCers and others...

Oh -- one thing: I think you meant to say that appointing him "would offer a wonderful parity within his administration"... at least I hope that's what you meant. :-)

(you said: "would offer a wonderful parody within his administration")

(on edit: "on thing" ==> "one thing". Nothing like making a typo when you're correcting someone else)

[RiverStone]

5. Thanks!

Operating on 3 hours of sleep :boring: - parity YES, that is what I meant to say.

Good catch!

[chollybocker]

4. No one rolls up his sleeves better than Dr. Dean.

[Jane Austin]

6. Not me.

I love them man and think he was the best DNC chair we've ever had.

I'd like to see him as the head of the FDA, but the health reform plan is different.

Howard has been a partisan for four years, and the media has tried to marginalize him for years, the "Dean Scream" being only the most obvious example.

He also has no legislative experience and would not be respected by Congress the way Daschle would have been.

For every reason that we love, admire and respect Dean, he is not the guy to get healthcare reform.

I do think he'd be great as head of the FDA. Big Pharma will have met its match!

[RiverStone]

9. Not being a DLC good ol boy would fire folks up in a unique way

Howard never felt an inclination to march in lock-step, though I agree that he does not have the inside the beltway connections that other folks have, he has the support of a body far more relevant than the Congress....

US!!! And by US I mean lots more than just the wonderful people that chill on DU. :)

[EFerrari]

10. On the other hand, Dean has more than four years experience dealing

with the media. His partisanship, like Kerry's flipflopping, is a media creation. Dean has always talked issues, not ideology.

Who wouldn't the Republican owned media try to marginalize? :)

They were sure good at getting leader Daschle to back off, iirc.

[cascadiance]

14. let's update the Thompson Twins tune... "Don't miss on Dr. Dean!"

and some newer lyrics for "Don't Mess with Dr. Dream"...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH17bmDzuAk

Kind of get a rallying cry for the people's choice!

[chill_wind]

7. If he wants it, he bloody deserves it. K & R. n/t

[4 t 4]

11. I've emailed and called

many times he sure as hell should have some major post-right?

[MasonJar]

13. Let Obama know how you feel asap. The more e-mails and calls Obama gets

the better the chance Dean will get this crucial to all of us appointment.

[Mike 03]

15. Riverstone, I trust your judgment. Would he be good?

I don't trust my own opinions because I thought Tom Daschle was great. But it turned out I didn't know everything about him.

[RiverStone]

19. Yes he would!

What follows is a short synopisis of the Dean for HHS arguement. I've seen it in a number of places, so not sure what the original source is:

The argument for Howard Dean as Secretary of Health and Human Services is quite straightforward. He's a medical doctor, and has more executive experience than anyone else in Congress or the White House. In his six terms as Governor of Vermont he paid off the state's public debt, expanded health insurance for children, lowered taxes, signed civil unions into law, and delivered a balanced budget every year. And of course as Chairman of the DNC he implemented the 50-state strategy that gave Obama the foundation for victory.

The only reason Dean wasn't tapped for HHS outright? Rahm Emmanuel, who bitterly opposed the 50-state strategy that brought his new boss to victory. As I mentioned earlier, Dean's name was excluded from consideration quite early on, citing Dean's "partisan background" and lack of congressional experience. That argument is total nonsense - and applies far more to Daschle than it does to Dean anyway.

It's time to acknowledge that Howard Dean is the right choice for HHS.

http://www.mydd.com/story/2009/2/3/134019/6116

Established in-the-beltway folks don't like that Howard follows his own path - he is not DLC. IMO, the fact Dr. Dean is NOT entrenched with owed favors and corporate obligations is a big plus. He is plain spoken and has real medical experience. No one is perfect, but he is best suited as an advocate for We The People.

[Mike 03]

20. I'm with you. NT

[ColbertWatcher]

18. Well, it seems everybody's inbred cousin is calling for Gingrich to head HHS. n/t