No talks held for job, says Sebelius

WASHINGTON - Governor Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas, mentioned as a top candidate for health secretary, said yesterday that she has not talked with President Obama about joining his Cabinet.

"There really isn't anything to tell. I haven't had any meetings about the position," Sebelius, 60, said during a meeting of the National Governors Association.

Pressed on whether she had spoken to Obama about heading the Health and Human Services Department, Sebelius said, "I have not."

Sebelius's name surfaced when former Senate majority leader Tom Daschle, Obama's first choice for health secretary, withdrew after disclosing that he had failed to pay $140,000 in taxes and interest.

Sebelius was an early Obama backer during the Democratic primary campaign. She was a finalist to be Obama's running mate and was mentioned as a Cabinet possibility after the election but withdrew from consideration in December, citing Kansas budget problems.

Administration aides say no decision has been made about filling the health post and they continue to review candidates. Sebelius remains near the top of the administration's list, but aides are using extreme caution to avoid yet another embarrassing mistake.

Sebelius served as state insurance commissioner before being elected governor in 2002. Under her leadership, the state has expanded cancer screenings, allowed more residents to keep their health insurance up to 18 months after leaving their jobs, and granted income tax deductions to help some lower their insurance costs.

Still, many of her efforts to overhaul healthcare have been thwarted by the Republican-controlled Kansas Legislature. In the interview, the Democratic governor defended her record and said that despite some setbacks, she had been able to make several improvements to the state's health system.

She cited advances in health information technology, childhood obesity reduction, and care for older people. But, she acknowledged, "We haven't gone as far as I would like in expanded coverage."

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Speaking on "Fox News Sunday," Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina said he has no plan to run and that it is not likely he will. But he added that he has learned not to make predictions.

Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, who also appeared on the Fox program, refused to rule out a bid. But he said he is thinking about running for reelection in 2010.

Appearing on NBC's "Meet the Press," Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana said he plans to seek reelection in 2011, but he would not give a yes-or-no answer when asked if he wants to be president.

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