Kathleen Sebelius Near Top For Health And Human Services Secretary

WASHINGTON — Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was very near the top of President Barack Obama's list of candidates to head the Health and Human Services Department, a senior administration official said Saturday.

The source, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss private administration deliberations, said no decision was imminent. But the official added the former Kansas insurance commissioner was rising as Obama considers prospective candidates.

Sebelius would be Obama's second choice for the slot. Former Sen. Tom Daschle had to withdraw his name amid an admission he had not paid taxes on a car and driver since leaving Congress as a Democratic leader.

White House spokesman Reid Cherlin on Saturday said no decision had been made.

Sebelius was an early Obama supporter, picking his presidential campaign over that of Hillary Rodham Clinton, now the secretary of state. Sebelius worked tirelessly for Obama's bid and was a top surrogate to women's groups.

Advocacy groups like the consumer watchdog role 60-year-old Sebelius played as insurance commissioner for eight years before she became governor.

Her name had been floated for several Cabinet posts, but she announced in early December that she had removed herself from consideration from a Cabinet job, citing Kansas' budget problems that needed her attention.

The two-term governor remains popular in her state and comes from a strong political family. Her father, John Gilligan, was the governor of Ohio in the early 1970s. She also advised Obama's campaign on how to connect with women, especially after Republicans picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as their vice presidential nominee.

Sebelius was in town last week to give a pair of speeches, one on clean energy jobs and the other at the National Education Association. She also met at the Ritz Carlton hotel with Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett.

Sebelius' trip was planned before Daschle bowed out as nominee for HHS secretary as a result of fallout from about $140,000 in back taxes and interest he paid last month.

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen also was on Obama's list to run the nation's massive health programs. Already, though, some advocacy groups were lining up to oppose the Democratic governor.

He remains under consideration, the senior official said.

(This version CORRECTS SUBS graf 11 to correct Bredesen's political affiliation; Democrat sted Republican.)

Comments

[harrymellon]

She's another Bilderburg­er...why doesn't Obama just let Kissinger and Rockafeller appoint everyone. Oh wait...he did. She's another New World Order advocate who will preside over the disintegration of The United States.

[Dale Wherry]

Who ever is appointed needs to give a hard look at United Health Care. After their slap on the wrist for ripping of millions of americans they are steadily increasing health care premiums. We just renewed our coporate policy with over a 30% increase..­...what are they doing with all the loot? Somebody get us universal health care! I don't care if that sounds socialist or not.....I'­m fed up!

[scorpioleidy]

What's with the love affair everyone here has with Howard Dean??? Get over it, already - he doesn't owe Howard Dean sh/t! I trust my president to do what's best for us.

[RoveRoveRoveYourBoat]

...HATEFUL­L SLIME BALL rahm keeping DR. HOWARD DEAN OUT OF HHS.

[Tom Payned]

I don't know what the Obama administration's issues/problems are with Dr. Howard Dean, although I've heard Rham doesn't care for him, but I believe were it not for Dean's original 50 state strategy, and the ability he had to raise money over the internet in 2004, we'd have had a very different primary and eventually presidential campaign.

Howard Dean made me proud enough of the Dem party that I changed my registration back from Independent to Dem so that I could vote for him in the primary.

If Obama can put the differences between Lieberman and the rest of us Dems, Obama should reach out to Dean.

[goodog]

We must remember that she's governor of Kansas because she's more like a Republican than she is like Howard Dean.

[ArchAngel]

Interesting to read that the same posters who want to keep America buried in Iraq are so anti Dean.

And with all the same derogatory insulting shrill troll blather and dishonesty.

[weefer]

The obvious disrespect that Obama shows Governor Dean [over and over again] makes me think much less of our President - sorry that's the way I feel.

[goodog]

Yeah, I'm suspicious about this.

Rahm's panties in a bunch about Dean are one thing, but Obama going along with it is... it bothers me.

Obama needs to account for this.

The "Rahm's ego" explanation doesn't complement Obama's promise to be above this kind of thing.

[roshni]

I hate to agree with you but I do.
If he can make nice with the likes of Lieberman, he should have a position for Howard Dean in his administration.
This is very disappointing.
That being said, Sibelius is a good candidate and I wish her well.

[Abhas2002]

Tom Daschle for HHS Deputy-Chair!

[ggmome]

I believe Howard Dean would be better choice

[jcwtts1]

I like Dean but better choice I don't know. I will tell you this, Brownback is not seeking a new term he is leaving his senate seat and she is term limited out in two years. I think she wins in 2010. I'd like to try and take the seat.

J

[castlerider]

We shouldn't argue if Dean would be better then Sebelius, or vice versa; They'd both be great. My concern is who's the Lieutenant Gov. in Kansas, and are they Dem or Rethug?
We can't afford to give the right more realty in the halls of power, because they truly can't be trusted for America's best interests. Sad isn't it, but so true. If it's a right winger, forget it. Pick Dean.

Also, I'm wondering why there hasn't been a good reporter tell us factually why it is that there seems to be no relationship of any consequence between Dean and Obama, which is a real disappointment for all of us Dems who love them both. What's going on here? is it that Rahm Emanuel is such a jerk that Dean and Emanuel can't stand each other? That's childish and has no place in our government by the people.

[TrooAmerican]

you are completely correct.

[goodog]

That's the story, that Rahm hasn't gotten over Dean winning the debate about the 50-state strategy that won Obama the electoral college landslide.

If Obama can put 2008 behind him, put Hillary taking crazy advantage of "bittergate" behind him and trust her as SoS, then Rahm can get over Dean.

He SHOULD get over Dean.

[AlwaysaLiberal]

I honestly fail to see way Rahm would care and why Rahm would have so much power over Obama. The conspiracy theories are a bit much.

[thoughtful3]

I'm all for Sebelius getting the job. And those of you who have already given up on Obama after only three weeks wouldn't have the patience to weather all that's coming anyway. Better to lose those who can't stick with you as soon as you offend them or don't do something they like their way than to lose the policy fights. Although I'm sure he'll lose some of those too, but I think he'll win more than he loses, which means the country will be better off too. Remember this is a marathon, not a sprint; a war, not a battle. Besides, look at all he's done in three weeks--signed two very important bills with the Fair Pay Act and SCHIP; signed numerous important executive orders, especially overturning Bush-era torture policies, opening the government up to labor again, getting ready to un-ban stem cell research, having the most ethical and transparent government ever (albeit not perfect), transitioning into a functioning government amid two wars and an economic crisis, I could go on and on. So, you know, it's okay to hold his feet to the fire, but it's okay to give him a break and the benefit of the doubt once and a while too.

[RTIII]

She's a bad cjoice, both for de-positioning another seat takeover and because she's FAR too likely to "settle" for a mandatory insurance - leave the insurance companies in place - "solution.­"

I'm pro Universal Health CARE not universal health INSURANCE. The only Genuine Universal Health Care is SINGLE-PAYER.
.

[kapomboi]

We want Dean.... Did Obama forget his grassroots people cause this same people me included love Dean and want him to have this job.
I must add that this past two weeks have been very disappointing.

[duchamp2008]

Howard Dean is so 2003. Get over him already. Please.

[unwashedmasses]

NO chance of that. Never.

[unwashedmasses]

That is has.
There are too many top-heavy appointees and nominees in the administration Obama has put together. It starts looking like incest between lobbyists (current) and nominees/appointees who are attached to the long tentacles of greed and former lobbyists.

Yes, he is out of touch with the grassroots people who worked hard for his election, including Dr. Howard Dean. Especially HOWARD DEAN.

[ckfan]

I'll make this easy for you. Tell me ONE THING Dean did for candidate Obama????/

Back in 2002 then state senator Obama was talking about the 50-state strategy and was critical of John Kerry's campaign strategy when he ran. Obama hired Plouffe to implement the 50-state strategy. He didn't need Dean. The ideas he used were strictly his, Plouffe's and Axelrod.

When Clinton was running around like a deranged candidate claiming she had the delegates needed to secure the nomination, your boy - DEAN - said and did nothing. It was apparent to everyone that Obama was the nominee. But NO, your boy - DEAN - wouldn't step up to the plate and take on the mighty, mighty Hillary. Thank goodness Obama did.

[ckfan]

NO WE DON'T. Obama has only been in office 2 weeks and you're disappointed. About what??

My goodness how do you feel after 8 years, 2 wars, over 4,000 deaths and $10 billion per month spent on Iraq???

As I've posted twice on this board, Dean ran a poor campaign. He apologized for the scream. Stupid.

He caved quickly to the pressure of the media. He didn't fight back like he should have. I was done with him after that. And you want him to be HHS?

He didn't fight for his own campaign so why in the heck did you think he would fight for health care?

You guys are romanticizing Dean and seeing something that's not there. And it sounds like you Dean Ditto Heads don't have a clue as to how politics really works. Well, that's ok. Neither does Dean.

[Tom Payned]

I see no reason why he should have apologized for the "scream".

He was trying to keep his troops excited and motivated, plus the word is the media gined up the scream to amplify it over what it really was.

As one of his troops, I found the passion in him, running an insurgent campaign, to show a leader who could use the bully pulpit in a rousing way.

[toosinbeymen]

No! We don't need an ex insurance commissioner for HHS. We need a doctor, Howard Dean!

Sigh. I have to agree with LesJoan, health care doesn't seem to be a priority for Obama.

Remind me again, why did we work so hard to get him elected?

[duchamp2008]

You don't necessarily need a doctor at HHS. What you do need is someone who is balanced and doesn't shoot off his/her mouth. Dean fails on both fronts.

[unwashedmasses]

No way. You are incorrect.

[Lesjoan]

I doubt universal healthcare is one of Obama's priorities.

[babymonster]

It is up there with his top three.

[RTIII]

There's a HUGE difference between Universal Health Care, which we want, and universal health insurance, which we do NOT want.

The only-kind of Genuine Universal Health Care is Single-Payer!
.