Kathleen Sebelius near the top of the list for HHS

[TeamJordan23]

Official: Sebelius near top for health post

By JENNIFER LOVEN

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was very near the top of President Barack Obama's list of candidates to head the Health and Human Services Department, a senior administration official said Saturday.

The source, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss private administration deliberations, said no decision was imminent. But the official added the former Kansas insurance commissioner was rising as Obama considers prospective candidates.

Sebelius would be Obama's second choice for the slot. Former Sen. Tom Daschle had to withdraw his name amid an admission he had not paid taxes on a car and driver since leaving Congress as a Democratic leader.

White House spokesman Reid Cherlin on Saturday said no decision had been made.

Sebelius was an early Obama supporter, picking his presidential campaign over that of Hillary Rodham Clinton, now the secretary of state. Sebelius worked tirelessly for Obama's bid and was a top surrogate to women's groups.

Advocacy groups like the consumer watchdog role 60-year-old Sebelius played as insurance commissioner for eight years before she became governor.

Her name had been floated for several Cabinet posts, but she announced in early December that she had removed herself from consideration from a Cabinet job, citing Kansas' budget problems that needed her attention.

Full Article - http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hMoBP...

She has some experience taking on Health Care Insurance Companies:

In 1994 she left the House to run for state insurance commissioner and stunned political forecasters by winning – the first time a Democrat had won in more than 10 years. She is credited with bringing the agency out from under the influence of the insurance industry. She refused to take campaign contributions from insurers and blocked the proposed merger of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, the state's largest health insurer, with an Indiana-based company. The decision by Sebelius marked the first time the corporation had been rebuffed in its acquisition attempts.

[SharonRB]

1. If we can't have Dean,

she's a good choice, IMO.

[Mojambo]

2. Not likely to be as close to the health insurance protection racket as Daschle

But far from the single payer advocate we really need.

Probably the best we're going to get from Obama, who doesn't get it when it comes to single payer anyway.

[democrattotheend]

3. When she ran for state insurance commissioner she refused to take money from insurance companies

That's a very good sign, IMO.

[Jennicut]

4. An excellent sign.

I think she would be a good choice and seems clean.

[camera obscura]

5. NO NO NO NO NO. We NEED her to run for Senate!!!

[ShadowLiberal]

21. I agree, recent numbers in the KS senate race gave her a double digit lead

There's other candidates who are capable of doing the cabinet job well, while there's pretty much no one else in Kansas who would stand a chance against just about any GOPer in the senate race.

[politicasista]

6. DM (Dear Mom) likes her

In fact, her co-worker is telling people to add some two cents at Whitehouse.gov and say no to our governor Bredesen for HHS.

[liskddksil]

7. She's better than Bredesen but I still prefer Dr. Dean

[quidam56]

19. Bredesen would be a horrifying choice to head HHS

See what is deemed, defended and supported in Tennessee as THE ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS OF HEALTH CARE. http://wisecountyissues.com/?p=62

[crimsonblue]

8. No....

we need her in Kansas.

[TheWraith]

12. She's out of office after 2010 anyway. Term limits. nt

[Neecy]

17. This is true

But she has an excellent chance of winning Brownback's Senate seat in 2010, and I'd rather have another pickup in the Senate than see her go to HHS. She has an excellent environmental record - she's fought our legislature over new coal-burning plants in western Kansas, and so far has won - is strongly pro-choice, and vetoed conceal and carry legislation for years. For Kansas, that's pretty progressive.

[crimsonblue]

23. True, but I want her to run for Brownback's vacant Senate seat.

[Occam Bandage]

9. Eh. She's not my number one, but she's decent. Certainly we could do worse. nt

[jonestonesusa]

16. People seem rather cold to her candidacy with no reason...

Why the faint praise? She seems qualified and thoughtful to me. I agree that Dean has led health care reform in Vermont and thus is very qualified, but shouldn't she be a very strong contender?

[illuminaughty]

10. She got my health care back for me after it was canceled

when she was insurance commissioner. I wrote her and explained the circumstances and the company ended up having to reinstate my coverage.

Unfortunately, they figured a way to get rid of me years later, but...I was pretty impressed with her.

[Cha]

11. I don't think Kansans want to lose

her..she has an important job..hello, look at the big pic, guys.

[Thrill]

13. Her term is up anyway

[Thrill]

14. CNN:President Obama looking at Sebelius to head HHS

WASHINGTON (CNN) – In a sign that she is getting a close look for Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius recently met with senior White House adviser Valerie Jarrett, according to two Obama administration officials.

Sebelius has a good personal relationship with the President and remained in the running for the vice presidential slot until near the end of the process, the officials also told CNN.

But the officials cautioned that President Obama is considering others for HHS as well. Those getting a look include Oregon Democrat Sen. Ron Wyden and Tennessee’s Democratic Gov. Phil Bredesen, according to the officials.

White House spokesman Reid Cherlin stressed to CNN that "no decision has been made." But Cherlin added the President "is moving quickly in filling this critical role."

The President's first nominee for the post, former Sen. Tom Daschle, stepped aside after questions were raised about his failure to pay more than $100,000 in taxes for consulting fees and the use of a car and driver.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/08/preside...

[Clio the Leo]

15. She was my pick for VP until I was introduced....

... to the wondrousness that is Joseph Biden. I've missed her in the admin. and I'm thrilled at the prospect of her joining it.

[MasonJar]

18. From what I have read she is the only Democrat who could win the Senate

seat in 2010. That win could be very crucial. There are several good candidates for HHS. Dr. Dean would not have to give up an important position or prospect.

[ChiciB1]

20. You Know, I'm Thinking I'm Getting Tired Of Having All Our "Elected" Democrats

getting plucked from their current offices. Seems to me that it opens up the field for a repuke to get elected at some point in time.

I KNOW it won't be Dean, even if it SHOULD be Dean, I'm sure most know how Rahm feels about him. Rahm may be effective, but I really haven't gotten over him taking "credit" for Dean's 50 State Strategy!

[Thrill]

22. The gigs must not be so good. If they're willing to leave them

[ChiciB1]

24. I Think It's Called Stepping Up... A Political Tactic That's ALWAYS

in action! Keep reaching for that golden ring and "uber" esteem and status!

JMHO! Still we need to leave "some" in place, from my persecutive! But I have no answers, ONLY questions!