Daschle Exit Leaves Void Sebelius, McClellan May Fill

[deminks]

Source: Bloomberg

Feb. 3 (Bloomberg) -- President Barack Obama may choose from among a half-dozen candidates to replace Thomas A. Daschle as his candidate to overhaul U.S. health care.

None carry the political influence of Daschle, 61, the former Senate majority leader who dropped from consideration today after admitting errors on his U.S. taxes. Daschle’s combination of political clout and health-care expertise (he wrote a book on changing the system) was considered critical to the quick passage of new health-care legislation.

The administration has “lost weeks in terms of getting somebody on the ground who could advocate for health-care reform,” said Michael F. Jacobson, executive director of the Washington-based consumer group Center for Science in the Public Interest. As for the new appointee, “you can bet the vetting will be even more rigorous.”

Names being mentioned by lawmakers and activists to lead the U.S. Health and Human Services Department include Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius; U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut; Mark McClellan, a doctor and economist who served in two previous administrations; and former Democratic Party chief Howard Dean.

Read more: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601202&sid=aKN...

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If it can't be Daschle, then hopefully Sebelius. I don't think Dean has a chance, but if he did, he would be great.

Interesting about Mark McClellan. Isn't he Snotty Scotty's bro?

[CLANG]

1. THE DEAN MACHINE is needed in this instance. n/t

[Ian David]

2. Snotty Scotty's Brother!

Mark Barr McClellan (born June 26, 1963) is currently the Director of the Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform, Senior Fellow in Economic Studies and Leonard D. Schaeffer Director's Chair in Health Policy Studies at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. McClellan served as Commissioner of the United States Food and Drug Administration under President{sic} George W. Bush from 2002 through 2004, and subsequently as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services from 2004 through 2006.<1><2><3>

<snip>

McClellan served as Commissioner for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) beginning November 14, 2002, becoming the first economist to hold that position.<5> Originally from Austin, Texas, he is the brother of former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan and the son of Texas comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn and attorney Barr McClellan.



More:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_McClellan

[DURHAM D]

6. If it helps -

I have an acquaintance who has known both of the brothers her whole life. She told me several years ago that Scott was the dumb brother.

[TheWraith]

13. Makes a bit of sense: Scott McClellan's family are Democrats.

His father said years ago that if Scott had to rebel, being a Republican was marginally better than a drug habit.

In any event, his experiences with Bush seem to have smartened him up a bit.

[Ian David]

18. Remember the movie "No Way Out?"

Remember the guy who at the end of the movie....

Oh, I almost ruined the ending.

Anyway, THAT guy is Scottie.

[tavalon]

24. Yeah, I don't call him Snotty anymore

When I first heard about his turnaround, I rolled my eyes, but I've seen him up close and personal (not that personal) since and damn if that boy didn't actually have a conversion. His soul (and that's a surprise right there - that anyone from the Bush admin has a soul) was hurt by what happened and what his part in it was. He was the only idealist in that whole vipers nest, poor kid.

[BrklynLiberal]

8. Having served in the Bush Administration should eliminate him from consideration.

[hfojvt]

3. please, please, please FORGET about Sebelius

I really want her to be Senator in 2010. Not only does Kansas benefit from that, but so does the whole party.

[Tansy_Gold]

16. He's already taken one Dem Governor

and left Arizona in the hands of right wing whack job Jan Brewer. Kansas NEEDS Kathleen Sibelius.

HANDS OFF!!!

[Pastiche423]

19. The whole party benefits from a Bilderberger?

You keep her.

[hfojvt]

21. the whole party benefits from more D's in the Senate

even if some of them are not all that progressive.

[Metta]

4. It leaves the lesson of abject corruption but does Obama and Emmanuel heed it?

They could have side stepped all of this by vetting him and actually giving a damn about his corruption and being in the pocket of health anti-care giants.

[Joe Bacon]

5. If we cannot have Dean, Let's have Krugman!

Appointing Dr. Krugman to HHS would be a clear signal that REAL Health Care reform will be on the table!

[deminks]

7. Now, there is a progressive idea!

[stillcool]

15. I've read Krugman say he is not interested..

in working in the government. Can't say as I blame him.

[tavalon]

25. The economist?

That Krugman?

[Oregone]

9. "None carry the political influence of Daschle"

Haha....influence? You wouldn't of thought it by watching him in action.

[dflprincess]

23. I think that statement was made by someone at United HealthGroup.

Daschle used to give policy advice to UHG - perhaps on how to keep collecting premiums while not paying claims.

The former CEO of UHG is out of work, maybe Obama will appoint him. It's pretty clear that he's not interested in really changing the system; he might as well give McGuire the job.

[KoKo]

10. Ah SHIT! If Obama puts in Scotty's Toady Brother then I'm Done with Obama!

Give me a break. I imagine that this is just Repugs dishing dirt...but after Obama appointed Judd Gregg he just might want to do another "Bi-Partisan" thingy thinking that Scotty's Brother is JUST THE ONE to bring the Repugs to the Table on Health Care Reform. WRONG...WRONG!!!

[TheWraith]

14. What makes you think McClellan is a Republican?

His parents are Dems: Scott's the black sheep of the family.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. NO TO MCCLELLAN

A failed Shrub FDA Commissioner who was stuck in there as a place-holder to block Plan B and then was moved over to CMS to rip off the taxpayers with Medicare Part D, with no negotiated prescription pricing, and donut holes and other nonsense.

WTF is the problem? The HHS chief needs to lead and manage the department, NOT focus so narrowly on "passing legislation". What the hell is the point of Congress if not to generate the legislation? Is there no one to act on behalf of Ted Kennedy and his Health committee?

[NorthCarolina]

12. Kucinich for HHS !!! n/t

[w4rma]

17. Dean is the governor that has already done this. He, easily, has the most experience. (nt)

[Psephos]

20. Absolutely correct n/t

[yurbud]

22. haven't the DLCers been saying all day that it can't be Dean because he was only a governor?

But Sebelius would be ok?