Howard Dean's birthday today & why is he not Sec. of H&HS

[HelenWheels]

Happy Birthday to my favorite politician. If this man had been given the job of Secretary of Health and Human Services I'll bet you the Affordable Care Act would have gotten off a lot smoother than it actually did. Howard is one of the more intelligent people in politics. Not only that but he has a lot of common sense and knows how to run a program. His 50 State Offensive for the Obama election was one of the main reasons we now have President Obama.

For some reason Mr. Dean was snubbed by the Obama organization. He would have been a great Secretary of H&HS and even asked for the position. In fact, he got nothing for all his work to get the President elected. This is one of Mr. Obama's mistakes and I think it was a huge mistake.

[bigdarryl]

1. To liberal for the administration

Most of Obama's people are corporate democrats a lot from the Clinton administration.

[truebluegreen]

8. Yup.

[summerschild]

2. I agree!!!

Love Obama, disliked many of his appointments! Howard Dean was always my choice for HHS. He's smart and steel willed. He would have stayed on top of the program til it was completed and working 100%. And he would have had Issa and his flunkies for lunch on the first day of hearings.

Sebelius is useless. Always has been. I can't remember EVER seeing her even give an interview about ACA from his first term through until this blow up. So she's finally out there now and not too effective.

I feel so bad for Obama. His people REALLY let him down on this.

[sendero]

10. Yes..

.... HIS people, the people HE chose. He can look right in the mirror if he need to see who is responsible.

[loyalsister]

3. Impossible confirmation maybe?

He is not as popular among beltway Democrats as he is with us.

[madfloridian]

4. In fact when new DNC chair was announced, Dean was in Samoa and had not been told.

When the new chairman was announced Dean was left out. He was in Samoa...

Earlier in the day, Gov. Dean fielded questions from the local media during a press conference held at the Tradewinds Hotel

Dean is visiting American Samoa for the first time, his last stop on a tour of every US state and territory, a goal he set while serving as Chairman of the National Democratic Party, an office he will be relinquishing soon as President-elect Barack Obama has named Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia to succeed him.


A Daily Kos blog at the time also noted that they had failed to notify him.

Despite reinventing the whole Election organization of the Democratic Party, and leading it to in consecutive triumphant election cycles, Dean was completely passed over for the Cabinet position he coveted (Health and Human Services). He was also shutout from consideration for any other administration post. And there have been allegations that Dean was not even invited to attend the event with President-elect Barack Obama introducing Gov Tim Kaine at DNC headquarters to be his successor, which Dean indicated he would have attended (rescheduling a trip) had he received such an invitation. The shabby treatment of Howard Dean, by the Democratic Establishment is baffling.

[calimary]

5. Truly! Happy Birthday, Dr. Dean!

My heart STILL belongs to "Hollerin' Howard!

[rhett o rick]

6. The snubbing wasnt personal. The President had to try to win over the New Democrats

for 2012. The left had to be cut loose to make it believable that Obama wanted to woo the Conservative-Dems.

[truebluegreen]

9. He had the New Democrats at "Rahm Emanuel" if not before.

Last edited Mon Nov 18, 2013, 08:54 AM - Edit history (1)

[TransitJohn]

7. 1) Happy B-day Howie, and 2) because Obama's people disagreed with how he spent Party money as Chair

eom

[xchrom]

11. happy birthday dr. dean! nt

[hootinholler]

12. Happy Birthday Gov!

Please consider another bid for President!

We need you.