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Dean dismisses surgeon general speculation
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Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor
March 10, 2009 03:10 PM
The Howard Dean-for-surgeon-general boomlet rose again after CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta dropped out last week.
But the former Vermont governor, while averring that politicians never say never, threw cold water on that speculation today.
Dean said he can push for a healthcare overhaul from the outside, saying that President Obama's plan is the most promising start since the 1970s.
"I'm happy what I'm doing," Dean said on MSNBC.
He just returned from a trip to Britain, where he passed along tips to political allies from his 50-state organizing strategy as Democratic National Committee chairman, which President Obama capitalized on for his sweeping victory in November.
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Dean does not have the temperament that Obama wants. I would be surprised if he is chosen. I do think he would be good in the job but would not be effective enough for Obama.
Obama is making a serious mistake dissing one of the most effective administrators (and doctors) he could select.
Actually, Dean had exactly the temperament that Obama wants. Obama always insisted he would bring together people of differing views so that all ideas would be heard and debated on the merits. Unfortunately, what Obama left out was they either had be pickup basketball buddies, from Chicago or worked previously for the Clinton administration.
I think Howard Dean is certainly the most qualified for the job, but it is not a significant post. He is far more qualified than the HHS appointee, Sebelius, who failed to enact health care or resolve budget issues in her own state. I almsot think a surgeon general appointment would be an insult, since it will fall under the authority of Sebelius, who is far less qualified than Dean. Dean is right, he can do plenty where he is. What Obama appointed inept people to head the HHS and Office of Health Reform is beyond me. I regret voting for him due to his lack of commitment to change we can believe in.