Tom Daschle's withdrawal leaves an opening at Health and Human Services. Howard Dean is the man for that job.
Dean isn't given enough credit for his expert chairmanship of the Democratic National Committee. His "50 State Strategy" is as responsible for Obama's large victory in 2008 as any other factor. Not to mention the 2006 congressional gains. He rebuilt the grass roots of the Democratic Party from the ground up, organizing a whole generation of young leaders.
His record as a five-term governor of Vermont is strong, including providing near-universal heath coverage. During his gubernatorial reelection bid, he had to wear a bulletproof vest because of death threats he'd received due to his support for gay civil unions.
Personally, Dean inspired me enough in 2003 that I moved to Vermont to work for him. He was one of the early voices of reason (followed by Gore and Obama) in the Democratic Party, opposing the war in Iraq. His 2004 campaign's use of the Internet changed the face of American politics forever.
Dean, also a medical doctor, would be an inspired choice for secretary of Health and Human Services. His knowledge of the issues plus his openness to innovation make him uniquely qualified. Join us on Facebook in support of the good Doctor!
Originally posted on The Hill. More on Davis, visit his official blog.
-- then please post a comment -- on the Organizing for America (the former Obama for America) blog -- that you are in favor of requesting President Obama to select Howard Dean to be nominated for HHS secretary.
Here's the link:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/obamaforamerica/gGxL7X/commentary#comment-gG3fSd
And yes, he did great things for health care in tiny Vermont, where he was the boss.
But I honestly doubt that he has the temperament for this exceptionally difficult job - more like herding cats than anything else I can think of. He's a lot like Hillary in that regard - competitive, combatative, and dogged - and I'm afraid things would turn out like they did when she took a swipe at the problem.
It's too bad about Daschle, because he did have both the temperament and the requisite knowledge base.
One solution might be to make it a two person job, like they have in business partnerships: with an inside guy (or gal) and an outside guy (or gal). The inside guy would do the "devil in the details" work; the outside guy would be the consensus builder and salesperson for the new plan.
Maybe this job is so big that they need
Here's the link:
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/obamaforamerica/gGxL7X/commentary#comment-gG3fSd
If Hillary Clinton can be secretary of state then why can't Dean be the Secretary of HHSD.
health is the time bomb in the national equation.....once the money is really gone, we can't stay well, we'll be truly burned toast.
Howard Dean would fight for National Health Care for "we the people" & NOT shill for the "Corporate Health Care INDUSTRY!"
President Obama we need an advocate for the PEOPLE not the INDUSTRY!
The plan he offered on the campaign trail was at best tinkering around the edges. It would leave the big
predatory players in power and subsidized positions. That is the reasons that three excellent picks
Howard Dean, Rep. Jim McDermot of Wa. and Dennis Kucinich of OH.
have been pointedly snubbed. Unless we the people who overwhelmingly favor Single Payer Health coverage ala HR 676 get active we'll get a watered down compormise, byepartisan piece of tripe that will be paid for by those big predatory players.