Dean Gets HHS Endorsement From Patrick Leahy

Chalk up another endorsement for Howard Dean taking over the reins of the Department of Health and Human Services.

On Monday, Sen. Patrick Leahy said that the former DNC header and fellow Vermont Democrat would be the ideal candidate to take the spot of recently withdrawn HHS nominee, Tom Daschle.

"I think Howard Dean would do a great job," Leahy told the Huffington Post at an event at Georgetown University. "He is a physician. As governor he had to deal with everything that went right with HHS and with everything that went wrong. He can tell us that these are the things that a governor has to face, Medicare especially and other things, he is very knowledgeable. He would be very good ... And he is obviously a tireless worker."

In coming out in support of Dean -- who has been mum on the HHS rumors -- Leahy joins a group of elected officials, including two fellow Vermonters. Last week, Sens. Tim Harkin (D-IA) and Bernie Sanders, as well as Reps. Peter Welch and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), all offered endorsements of sorts for the former Vermont Governor. And yet, Dean chances at ascending to the post seem clouded by his choppy relationship with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. The major names now rumored for the HHS nod are Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and Connecticut Rep. Rosa DeLauro.

Comments

[truthglow]

02:52 AM on 02/11/2009

The ONLY problem with the very BEST candidate (Howard Dean, MD) getting this nomination­, is Rahm Emanuel!!!

[PalmG]

03:10 PM on 02/10/2009

Yes!

[weefer]

12:54 PM on 02/10/2009

Howard Dean is clearly the best choice. But it is beginning to look like this administra­tion wants someone that is more of a "corporate sympathize­r". Howard Dean will but heads with big pharma and the insurance companies - you can be sure. That's the type of leader we must have as HHS Secretary at this crucial time.

[zest]

12:43 PM on 02/10/2009

I'm for Gov. Dr. Dean; he's capable and gets the job done.

[texanna]

12:36 PM on 02/10/2009

Is that the sound of Rahm's teeth gnashing at hearing this comment from Leahy? As long as Rahm is inside the WH with Obama's ear, Dean will get nowhere near the job. It's Rahm's version of a delivery of dead fish for the man who showed him up with the successful 50-state strategy instead of Rahm's baby steps with Blue Dogs effort.

[truthglow]

02:53 AM on 02/11/2009

Obama should get rid of Rahm!!!

[RedCountyRosi]

12:35 PM on 02/10/2009

Ability - check
Commitment to broadening health care coverage - check
Dedication to health - check for Dr. Dean
History of effective reform - check
Executive skills - check

Howard Dean is so clearly the right choice to overhaul how health care is made available in America. If the most serious impediment he has inside the White House is Rahm Emanuel, as would seem likely, then Rahm Emanuel needs to get over it, and get out of the way.

I need the health coverage and I cannot afford to get in the middle of a classic Rahm Emanuel hissy fit.

[NightflyLester]

12:21 PM on 02/10/2009

Why isn't anyone looking at former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber?­??

He was a practicing physician, has worked through a lot of govenment health care funding issues, and frankly is whip smart.

Dean is a good man, but carries a lot of polictical hack baggage

[patreillys]

11:05 AM on 02/10/2009

Of course, Howard Dean is an excellent choice for HHS. Obviously his executive experience brought us the Democratic victory and he is a doctor. He will always have a place in my heart for speaking out when no one else was. He is a brave and honorable citizen. I hope he paid his taxes.

[Chapmanp2]

10:52 AM on 02/10/2009

We the people fought for change (myself included). This would be one thing the Obama administra­tion could do to reflect the will of the people. Howard Dean did the long hard work of transformi­ng the party & laying the ground work for victory. He's obviously in touch with the people. He deserves a high profile position & HHS NEEDS someone like that.

[Chapmanp2]

10:45 AM on 02/10/2009

That's at least 3 major endorsemen­ts inside of a week. If I had to guess I'd say Dean wants it & the Obama administra­tion looks to be at least floating the idea. I'd guess big monied opposition to Dean is running pretty high about now...

[Triciann]

10:36 AM on 02/10/2009

There is a problem of some sort regarding Howard Dean. Did he want for some reason to disappear from the political scene? Did he do something to offend Obama? He did a great job as DNC Chairman then he's gone without so much as a thanks and good luck from the DNC or Obama Administra­tion. There's something! Anyone any ideas?

[larry278]

10:50 AM on 02/10/2009

The problem with Dr Dean is Rahm Emanuel. Rahm doesn't like Dr Dean. Rahm is going to have to take a hit for the team on this 1. Dr Dean is a good fit for HHS.

[frappe]

10:16 AM on 02/10/2009

I think Howard Dean is perhaps the most qualified person for the job. We all know and respect his intelligen­ce, energy, and his integrity. He reminds me of Sen. Feingold in many respects. The Democratic party needs to show more appreciati­on for the work that Howard Dean has done on behalf of the Democratic party and the American people. If selected, I hope that those in Congress can get over whatever criticisms they have had with Dean in the past. All I know is that I trust Howard Dean. Universal health care is one of the most important issues/pre­rogatives on the Obama agenda. We simply can't afford another lost opportunit­y to get a good health care package through Congress.

[kellygrrrl]

10:07 AM on 02/10/2009

Rahm and Hil are going to need to get over their petty little hangup with Dean and enact the Will of the People.
of course .... there might be some reason we are not fully aware of (maybe Dean has a tax issue)
who knows?
but someone needs to step up -- either Obama or Dean -- and tell US why this man has not been considered for this position.

[blythe9131]

09:56 AM on 02/10/2009

I am all for Howard Dean taking the reins of HHS. He's been on almost every talk show discussing healthcare reform and what is needed. I will be very upset with the Obama administra­tion if Dean is not selected. If anyone has earned a position in this cabinet, it is Howard Dean. I go on record saying that if not for Gov. Dean's 50 state vision, we might not be saying "President Obama".

[Linda Glenn]

11:27 AM on 02/17/2009

Really -- Obama promised hope, change, transparen­cy -- Rahm Emanuel's refusal to consider Dean is the 'old way', the way we voted to get rid of and totally inconsiste­nt with the vision Obama projected to the American people. Let's hope that Obama doesn't hesitate to tell Rahm that this playing-po­litics-as-­usual is unacceptab­le. Emanuel can think of it as part of the 'team of rivals' strategy.

[naschkatze]

09:12 AM on 02/10/2009

Great! Another one! Let's get this snowballin­g. Does anyone know if there is a petition up? I just signed one for Hilda Solis.