Breaking: Daschle named HHS Sec

[Stinky The Clown]

breaking on msnbc

[cliffordu]

1. I think this is a great choice. Of course I drank too much kool-aid, so.....

[NMDemDist2]

2. very cool!! n/t

[Hope And Change]

3. K & R!

[IndianaJones]

4. excellent. nt.

[tularetom]

5. Hope he doesn't have to stand up to anybody

He doesn't have a very good track record in the spinal department.

[Lorien]

8. No kidding. I was hoping that particular invertibrate was gone for good. n/t

[JCMach1]

18. He'll lure them to sleep with his dead parrot

immitation...

[HereSince1628]

6. No executive experience. What experience in a health or human service field?

A close advisor to Obama during the campaign, yes.

Someone point me toward a link where I can be educated his HHS background missing from his on-line bios.

[onenote]

13. abe ribicoff, joe califano, patricia harris

Three former secretaries of HEW/HHS that didn't have any particular "HHS" background but did okay. Donna Shalala had all of one year as head of the Children's Defense Fund -- before she was named head of HHS, a job she held for the entire eight years Clinton was in office.

Daschle is a good choice.

[Solly Mack]

7. here's a link

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2008/11/19/daschle-the-choice-for-health-and-human-services/?eref=politicalflipper

[McCamy Taylor]

9. Good. One in the face of the GOP finally, plus Daschle deserves it.

This administration was never going to be left wing, so I am quite satisfied if they are solidly Democratic with nods to GOP true mavericks.

Plus, Daschle will be able to help get legislation through Congress. Everything Obama is doing points to a real LBJ Great Society War on Poverty style administration.

[dflprincess]

14. How is this in the face of the GOP

everytime they said "boo!" Daschle caved.

You can kiss any actual healthcare reform goodbye with him in charge. We needed someone who would stand up to the insurance companies.

[goforit]

22. Hello!!! ...This guy supported Bush/Cheney on the Iraq War and the Patriot Act!!!

The GOP is laughing all the way to the Bank.
The Pharmaceutical industry and the Insurance industry has it made in the shade.

Cough...cough ....cough.......This is CHANGE?????
NOT!!!

[sarcasmo]

24. Exactly, how quickly those here at the U forget.

[Akoto]

25. A lot of politicians voted for both, Dems included. Many regret it in hindsight. n/t

[iamjoy]

10. I Was Hoping For Dean

I was hoping Howard Dean would get that, or Hillary Clinton.

[Oregone]

11. I was hoping for Dean too.

In fact, Im glad I moved to a country with Universal Healthcare. At this rate, it doesn't look like its going to happen again for the US for yet another 50 years.

[Larkspur]

12. Me too!

[senaca]

21. What about surgeon general for dean? n/t.

[ORDagnabbit]

15. crap...I thought this spineless dem was put out to pasture for good.

[underseasurveyor]

16. I would have hoped to have seen Howard Dean in that spot

but Daschle will be adequate enough I suppose. He really is a good and decent man he just isn't a forceful enough guy to take strong stands against the opposition when he should...

[Pastiche423]

17. Yea! Another DLCer!

He is filling his team w/DLCers and anti-marijuana hawks!



So glad I'm not a Democrat any longer.

[Fumesucker]

20. How many Dems in DC are *not* "anti-marijuana hawks"?

I managed to count the ones I know of on one thumb..

Perhaps you are aware of more than I..

[Pastiche423]

23. You need more thumbs

A quick Google search brought up:

Senator Barney Frank
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-NY)
Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA)
Rep. James McDermott
Rep. Zoe Lofgren (withdrawn)
Rep. Fortney Stark
Rep. Barbara Lee
Rep. Tammy Baldwin
Rep. William Clay
Rep. Earl Blumenauer

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h110-5843

[Fumesucker]

26. These politicians are in favor of legalization?

I doubt it.

[Pastiche423]

28. Did you even read the article?

[Fumesucker]

29. Decriminalization does not equal legalization..

How do you legally obtain a supply of pot when sales are still criminalized?

Until pot is treated just like alcohol, legal regulated sales to adults, the war on pot is far from over.

"Pro pot" would be advocating for legalization.

AFAIK, Kucinich is the only legalization advocate on Capitol Hill.

[Pastiche423]

30. Your original question asked...

"How many Dems in DC are *not* "anti-marijuana hawks"?

Asked and answered.

[WI_DEM]

19. Good! he knows the way around the senate and I think this indicates they will push a comprehensive

health bill.

[Adenoid_Hynkel]

27. His book on health care is a great read

Daschle may have made a lousy majority leader, but the position did not play to his strengths. He's just too mild-mannered. He's really more of an ideas guy and HHS is a good fit for him.