Howard Dean for Education Secretary
Howard Dean was just on The Young Turks, and without saying it (because that is a political no-no), he seemed to indicate interest in Secretary of Education position. His first answer about "educational issues" in the interview below seems like a clear indication of where his priorities lie.
There is a good reason why people shouldn't be openly lobbying for positions in cabinet, but at the same time, it is our job as political analysts to be able to read between the lines. Furthermore, we do an opinion show, so I don't mind sharing my opinion on this -- I would love to have Howard Dean in the cabinet. Not so much because he's a progressive as because he is right. I am of the naïve belief that that should matter.
He also has a strong progressive voice that should be heard at the table. I believe in Obama's idea of a diverse cabinet with their own beliefs, but if you want a diverse cabinet, it'd be a crime not to have someone like Gov. Dean on it.
Honestly, I don't care if it's Education or Labor or EPA. If I had my druthers, based on his answer on Afghanistan and Iraq at the end of the interview (and based on how right he has been on Iraq and other foreign policy issues), I would put him as Secretary of Defense. I know that won't fly in DC. As I've explained before, you can't have people who were too right in positions of power.
But no one can dispute that Howard Dean was right about the 50 state strategy, and this undoubtedly helped Barack Obama and a lot of Democratic congressmen and senators get elected. He's also been exactly right on the policy issues. Shouldn't the Obama administration reward competence?
Listen to the Howard Dean interview here (also listen for how deeply he cares about women's rights issues at the end of the interview -- and for the record I absolutely agree with him on the values issue he brought up in regards to women's rights in Afghanistan, and as usual, I love the way he says it strongly):
Follow Cenk Uygur on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheYoungTurks
Loading comments…
Want to reply to a comment? Hint: Click "Reply" at the bottom of the comment; after being approved your comment will appear directly underneath the comment you replied to
Dean's a good choice. I also like Ronnie Musgrove, the former Mississippi Governor -- mentioned in today's WSJ. He was an Education Governor that passed landmark education funding reforms (including teacher pay increases and computers in the classroom) AND instituted teacher accountability. That is an exact formula for what NEEDS to be done with No Child Left Behind.
I was hoping that he would head up a progressive think tank. We need some organization and Dean could provide it.
Dr. Dean is due a position at the table. President Elect Obama wants to take information from the best and brightest. Keeping Howard Dean out of the loop will not serve this country. He gets how this country operates and how our lower d- democratic values need to be resurrected, especially in the times we face over the next several years. I'm pretty sure the Rahmenator understands that. Dean is essential to our rebirthing of this democracy.
Howard Dean for the cabinet, absolutely!
This is ridiculous and insulting to professional educators who have made the real progress and worked toward actual education reform in America. Howard Dean may be owed a favor, but he's a physician, not an educator. Look at Linda Darling-Hammond, Deborah Meier or countless other real educators. Again we see how even progressives regard this profession and the lack of attention to or understanding of what's actually needed and works for the success of our youth.
Daschle got health; a cabinet post that many physicians may find insulting. Actually, many large American school districts are now being headed by retired Naval personnel who don't have a clue what they are doing. We have one in LA that is nothing but ballast. Don't overlook Dean's organizational skills; he has much to offer in any position that he gets. Of course, Rahm doesn't like him so he may end up pushing a broom.
Howard Dean has earned his seat at the Cabinet table. Dean has a wonderful mind for all things new and fresh. There is no doubt that his 50 state strategy was one of the most important concepts that help to win the day.
Hear, hear. But no thanks given, Rahm is a PUMA.
I believe that Howard Dean woke the sleeping giant within the Democratic Party (and America, really) in 2003 and 2004. He is not known to be smooth, but he's tough, he knows what is right and more importantly, he does what is right. He *definitely* deserves credit for helping along and nurturing the rising tide of progressive politics and Obama's victory. People like Rahm Emanuel would love to deny Dean his due, so I am doubtful Dean will be offered a post in the Obama administration -- which disappoints me greatly. I can only remind Emanuel and the other Clinitonistas in the new Administration, Obama's victory was not a validation of your style of party politics; and to snub the will of the voters who want change is to bury the Dem party.
gimme a break, who wrote this? Tom Delay?
Hear, hear.
Dr. Dean was a realist, and not taken seriously. If his advice was taken regarding his 50 State Strategy, then Kerry would have won in 2004. Instread, Kerry whirled around in 11 states and lost. I enjoy listening to Dr. Dean and would like him to receive a post for all of his efforts on behalf of the American people. I say, "Give Dr. Dean a job now."
Love him. Miss him.
I've got my fingers crossed for a cabinet post for Dean, also. He worked so hard on Obama's behalf, he deserves it.
I like Dean.
They don't want Howard Dean, or his DFHs - just ask Rahm and Schumer. Obama is nothing more than another DLC centrist. Get ready for Clinton II.
That's not true.
Time will tell.
clinton II would have to be 1,000 X better than Bush the Destructo
The Fall of Howard Dean during the primaries of the last election is one of the biggest debacles ever engineered by the Media.
Granted, he briefly looked like a Nerd invited to the Party who drank too much, but according to Gore Vidal, the whole video clip they kept playing over and over again to make him look ridiculous was tweaked in the studio.
Anyway, what does it matter that he SCREAMED? It's irrelevant. And yet it becaume a big deal and his downfall.
This is more the fault of the Media than anything at all concerning Dean.
Looking back now, who could not say Dean might not have been a much stronger candidate than Kerry? He is truly a populist who parses no words and this non-politician aspect I think would have gotten him elected.
There could be no more powerful and competent a figure in a cabinet post than Dean.
Richard Clarke, Robert Kennedy and Wesley Clark too, have the same level of integrity. This is extremely rare in politics and almost non-existent in Washington.
I completely agree with everything you said. To this day I cannot understand why Dean was dropped like that. He would have won the last election. Kerry was a very weak candidate.
You're correct about it all except the 'might have been stronger than Kerry".
Without a doubt, stronger candidate than Kerry.
It'll be interesting to see how he's treated. I'll certainly be watching.
I still laugh every time I think about that video clip. I was sad about what happened, but darn that was funny!
Krocklin, I agree with every word you said.
No, it was the fault of the powers behind the media, They promoted Dean's gaffe so that he would not be the Dem candidate. You are correct; he would have been a much stronger candidate that Kerry, the unimaginative.
Or Secretary of Health & Human Services!
And I strongly recommend that David Plouffe should be the next Chairman of DNC! We need to carry out Gov. Dean's 50-state strategy, and the time to start getting ready for the next round is now!
Great idea. And Plouffe, like Dean, seems to have faded into the background. Wonder why....
Hey, Howard: Fundamentalist Wahabi Islam isn't traditional Afghani culture.
You must be logged in to comment. Log in or connect with
