With the apparent selection of former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle to be Barack Obama’s secretary of health and human services, the Cabinet possibilities for Gov. Kathleen Sebelius are narrowing. Her background as Kansas insurance commissioner seemed to make Sebelius best suited for the HHS post. Other possible positions still unfilled are secretaries of environment and energy.
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17 Comments
Representative from South Dakota. Then Senator from South Dakota. After several years, Senate Majority leader…then briefly Senate Minority Leader.
Health and Human Services Secretary?? I don’t suppose cabinet level appointments have anything to do with experience/qualifications?
For the record, I have always liked Tom Daschle, beginning in the 70’s with his “Door to Door Daschle” campaign when he first ran for Congress. I have met him in his office in DC and have worked on campaigns for him. I have always found him to be hard working, responsive and very intelligent. But…HHS Secretary??? I just don’t get that one….
Raptor,
Read my post on the Hillary Clinton thread: if Obama’s goal is to get major health care legislation through the Senate–and it is–there’s probably no better pick for HHS than Daschle.
Very true…hadn’t considered that. He is fairly moderate, well liked and even respected in a lot of circles. He knows how to get legislation thru…
Excellent point, CF…
Raptor, it is my understanding that former Sen. Daschle has been involved with health care initiatives for a time, and has written what seems to be a well-regarded book on the subject. Given the need for legislative function expertise, which he has, and his apparent knowledge of the various issues involved in any reform of the current health care system, it seems an excellent choice.
Good, now Daschle can quit being a sellout to the aircraft corporations.
Looks like we’ll be seeing more of Waxman too.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081119/ap_on_go_co/waxman_dingell_1;_ylt=A0geu04abiRJq94AwACspph4
http://blogs.tnr.com/tnr/blogs/the_plank/archive/2008/11/19/daschle-at-hhs-good-news-for-health-reform.aspx
Looks like Jonathan Cohn is on board (not that his opinion matters), and makes some good points on why this rumored appointment makes good sense.
Waxman as chair of C&E? Yessss!!!!
Phantom, you’ve made my day :)
Heh. Well…obama’s call to governor “leadership” this week must have been “sorry kathy. Close, but no cigar”. I dont see her at energy or envivronment. Some still say maybe at Agriculture, but jesus WEPT! She knows less about agriculture than just about anyone I know. Adrian polansky will surely have some cushy job given to him.
I’d like to get rid of sebelius just for the fun of getting rid of mikey hayden. Could obama maybe find a job for that sob somewhere?
Interesting how Obama made a big deal, part of a campaign speech in fact, of NOT putting lobbyists in ‘his’ government.
So much for another promise out of him. I have a feeling it’s just the beginning of the lies revealed and the backtracking we’ll see out of Obama.
Actually, boxlock20, if lobbying is good enough for Bob Dole then it is good enough for anybody - don’t you think?
Besides, there were several campaign promises McCain made and didn’t keep but I don’t see you harping about that.
Sebelius is too soft spoken.
Bob Dole is not being placed in a cabinet position.
Fact remains that Obama made a BIG deal out of saying there would be no lobbyists in his administration, he would not be beholding to anyone.
HE LIED!!!
“mom” notes –
“…several campaign promises McCain made and didn’t keep but I don’t see you harping about that.”
Like, “I know how to catch bin Laden!”
John S (for Senile) McCain the Third (for Shrub’s 3rd term) said that many times while campaigning.
Gee, I wonder if her told Obama or Shrub or someone his secret plan?
“Country first.” Ha!
Everyone knew that Sebilius couldn’t run her own SRS in Kansas - why would she be picked for secretary of Health & Human services? Me thinks her reputation has preseceeded her - Obama’s people know about her and her failings. They know what they would be getting.
I don’t understand why we have a democrat for Governor when this is a republican state? The republicans need to come up with a good candidate. One that’s not corrupt and will work for the people of Kansas.
Personally I don’t care what they do in their personal lives - I do care what they do for the state of Kansas.
Look at some of our greatest presidents - their personal lives weren’t that great - but could they run a country!
“Personally I don’t care what they do in their personal lives - I do care what they do for the state of Kansas.”
Why am I thinking that was probably NOT what this poster thought about President Clinton?
Maybe if the kansas repukes would run someone other than WINGNUTS against sebelius?
But I do agree that the obama team probably realizes what a jerk governor “leadership” really is. I know she’s being vetted for Labor, but with all the turmoil in Detroit, they need to find someone with REAL labor credentials.
Did you all know that at one time organized labor in this state HATED sebelius for nominating a lawyer from a union busting firm for a high party position?
I dont know if I can find the link now, but I posted it years ago for Steven Davis.
A pet-peeve of mine is when elected officials abandon their elected office in search of ’something better’.
So here is a thought. How about the Governor finish her term in office before she jumps ship? It is one thing to run for POTUS while still a State Governor, but to resign for a Cabinet post is just insulting.