Media Falsely Report Dean Will Become Lobbyist, Disqualifying Himself From White House

Did Howard Dean unilaterally remove himself from consideration for an Obama administration position?

That's the blaring headline from USA Today, which, citing a report in the Washington Post, says that by signing on with the lobbying firm McKenna, Long & Aldridge, the former DNC chairman has apparently ended his "stated hopes of joining the Obama administration."

Only, it's not true. While McKenna does lobby the government, and the Obama White House has an ethics policy that prohibits (almost all) lobbyists from serving in the administration on an issue on which they've lobbied, Dean himself won't be a lobbyist.

"[Washington Post reporter Al] Kamen got it wrong this morning," said Karen Finney, a spokesman for Dean. "He wrote that without talking to me or Dean. As you know, Dean is an Independent Consultant for the firm and not a registered lobbyist."

Indeed, Dean is joining McKenna as a consultant on health care and alternative energy issues and an independent adviser on specific projects that he chooses. His job portfolio, while attempting to influence the political debate, won't include the dreaded 'L-word' in it.

Nevertheless, on Monday morning, Kamen wrote in his Post column that Dean's new position -- one of many he is taking on during his post-DNC career -- "Sounds as though he's going to be doing some lobbying and strategizing for those clients."

Other outlets, such as USA Today, assumed that this would, in turn, disqualify Dean from serving in the administration. But in actuality, it is the former Vermont Governor's ambivalence with the Surgeon General's post -- and the Obama White House's desire for a different HHS Secretary -- that seem to be the biggest obstacle.

Comments

[joeinvt]

This reeks of more White House sponsored dirty tricks, like the Surgeon General crap of a few days ago.
The Emanuel/Ax­elrod/Gibb­s team really have it in for Dean.

[jjny03]

I agree. This seems fishy. The treatment of Gov. Dean by the Obama White House has been disgusting. Pres. Obama should pick-up the phone and call Dr. Dean if he has any questions.

[goodog]

Don't go there Dean.

The healthcare policy consulting at McKenna Long & Aldridge sounds very similar to the path Daschle took after losing in 2004. And that's what bothered me about Daschle's more recent background: the work he did for a lobbyist who does healthcare lobbying.

http://www.mckennalong.com/practices-37.html

"Many of our professionals have held senior level positions in the executive and legislative branches of federal, state and local government. This experience provides a unique perspective that is often critical in resolving issues involving government.

"We regularly assist clients with matters pending before federal agencies. In the legislative arena, we draft legislation, testify before legislative and executive bodies, advocate the passage or defeat of legislation, and generally assist clients in the development and implementation of programs to affect public policy decisions.­"

I like the idea of Howard Dean as MY lobbyist, but I don't like the idea of him working for one.

There's no denying that Daschle's work, consulting for a healthcare lobbyist, played a role in Daschle's demise, and it can do the same to Dean, unfortunately.

This could easily taint Dean, as much as we like him, and hamper his prospects later... just as it did for Daschle.

[iburl]

Why is everybody always gunning for Dean? All he ever did was be dead right about everything he ever opened his mouth about, oh, that and resurrecting the Democratic party!! Rahm wanted to take credit for that, what a joke. I live under a republican now, just because Rahm didn't want to try and get AUSTIN TEXAS back in the blue! Dean's 50 state strategy energized a lot of people. Rahm is a bulldog. Dean is an Eagle.

[PalmG]

You are so right. I've never heard it said that way "Rahm is a BULLdog, Dean is an eagle," and it's soo right-on. Dean is a hero. Obama will regret the day he ever tried undermine him. Mark words...

[TallyLass]

This is why people yawn for the most part when newspapers, etc. go under. Pathethic.

[lizr]

plus David Brooks bitching about the first lady's arms, that was a waste of newsprint.­.

[goodog]

Republican's would have woman in burkas if they had the choice.

Invading Iraq did, in fact, put women back in burkas in that country.

Gee, thanks. W.

[bascombe]

this is just another salvo in the media war against progressives and democrats.

[greenjeans]

In answer to your question: Why does the media hate Dean?

It's because back in about November of 2003, on national television he spoke about breaking up the media monopolies. Until that point he was a media darling and soaring. After that pronouncement the press turned on him.

[lizr]

that is when the Di rty tr ick of the Scream happened too!

[goodog]

How interesting. Do you have a reference for that?

[JulieinVT]

I actually watched him do this on MTP - my heart sank right then and there... Dean was/is just too damn honest.

[greenjeans]

I believe it was on Hardball..­. you can try googling. I saw it with my own eyes. I even remember muttering to myself, "uh-ohhhh.­.. that was a shot across the bow"

[greenjeans]

I found this article explaining the event by David Podvin, Why The Corporate
Media Killed Dean's Campaign http://www.rense.com/general49/media.htm

On December 1, 2003, Howard Dean was ahead by twenty points in the polls when he appeared on Hardball with Chris Matthews and said, "We're going to break up the giant media enterprise­s." This pronouncement went far beyond the governor's previous public musings about possibly re-regulating the communications industry, and amounted to a declaration of war on the corporations that administer the flow of information in the United States.

It was an extraordinarily noble and dangerous thing to do: when he advocated a truly free press, Dr. Dean was provoking the corrupt media conglomerates that control what most Americans see and hear and read, and thereby control what most Americans think.

And thus, the media's "Dean is crazeee meme".

[WhatMemoryHole]

the talkingheads really just cant stand the good governor from Vermont

[tbone99]

The media hates Dean . Why?
is he against Zionism or something?

[PoliticalAmazon]

Howard Dean kicked the MSM straight in the pelutos when he ignored the fact that he was getting no MSM coverage during the 2004 primary, and took his case to the people via the internet. The MSM was FORCED then to cover Dean, but they did it begrudgingly and took every opportunity to undermine his campaign.

[rssrai]

It seems like there are a lot of people who are trying to discredit Dean. Even some in the democratic party. I think Dean is great and it would have been a great secretary of HHS. I think Dean would make a great surgeon general. I don't think it is a comedown at all. The surgeon general decides what issues that want to promote, and I think that children's health care would be something Dean would be great at promoting.

[lizr]

he doesnt want this job. he wanted HHS -

[CommonSenseMom]

Don't get me wrong...I love this guy.....bu­t Dean really has got to learn how to smile for a camera without looking CAH- RAY -ZEEEEE!

I just keep seeing his "Heeeee YAAAAAAH!" moment when I look at this picture!

[PoliticalAmazon]

Oh for the love of gawd, you're critcizing him for his smile? What is wrong with this smile?

[greenjeans]

Let me guess: have you ever complained that pols are too slick and Ken-doll-ish? Well Dean is the anti-slick, the anti-coiffed pol.

He is authentic and still has enthusiasm and idealism that comes thru in his wide open smiles and laughs. Be well Howard Dean!

[Snuffleupagus]

Hey Mom FYI. It has been proven that his yeehaw moment was mainly a hatchet job by right wing media, Wolfie Blitzer leading the way.

First, the hall was packed, and his speech inspired the crowd to cheer and make lots of noise.
It was LOUD in there. The scream was barely heard in the room.
But a few unscrupulous corporate media outlets were able to get a recording from one microphone that isolated him and completely blocked out all background noise.

It was that one they played with the video over and over and over, never using the wildly cheering crowd version. After hundreds of hits in one week like this the story stuck. It stuck like glue.

How easy it can be to slander a good man/woman in America if all the media play along.
Don't be upset over being fooled, CSMom. I didn't learn of this skullduggery till last year.
Google around. There is lots of good info out there.

Dean is one of the good guys.

[lizr]

it's called an ambient mic.

filters out the ambient sound.

Diane Sawyer admitted that this was not a true representation of how Dean sounded.

thanks for the patient answer, Snuff.

I find it so infuriating I cant even speak to it.

[goodog]

It was Boo yeah!, not Hee Yaw.

[LeeCalif]

You bet the repubs fear him.

So Washington Post Al Kamen MAKES UP STORIES.

So the Washington Post MAKES UP STORIES.

I think MediaMatters.com needs to hear about this

Fair.org should, as well.

Al Kamen MANUFACTURES STORIES.

[Wide Stance]

There is obviously a move afoot by conservatives to undermine Dean. They still resent the fact that he kicked them into oblivion.

[SmootyBooty]

absolutely. O won because of Howard...

[laucarlson]

I agree.

[naschkatze]

The media are pro-Republican and probably hate (read, fear) Howard Dean more than any other Democrat.

[MaryfromMontcoPA]

So do those Dems who prefer their very own deep pocket donors over We the People and democracy.

[lizr]

what in the world is Dean wearing?

Is this a photoshopped image?

more di rty tricks? or what?

[marxmarv]

Possibly a camera or guitar strap. The lighting and tone looks fairly consistent.

[kellygrrrl]

wut the eff kinda crazee get-up are rockin' there?