Dean as US Surgeon General - Would This Be A Meaningful Move?

[qwlauren35]

In another thread, someone suggested that Dean would be good as Secretary of Health and Human Services. However, in many ways, Dean would be especially effective as Surgeon General, possibly another Jocelyn Elders. His fire and passion would go a long way in addressing American Health issues, AIDS awareness and our racial health divide. Additionally, if he decided to address American stress levels, he could move into an entirely new realm of areas including fiscal health.

I think it has tremendous possibilities and it would bring him to the table in a very positive way.

I'm interested in hearing what Dean supporters think of this, as well as many of you who are not so fond of him.

[Mass_Liberal]

1. no

n/t

[cheezus]

2. If he wants it, it'd be great

I say the more unity come the GE the better. It's a disappointing second to being potus, but it'd be a nice reward for everything Dean has done this election season.

[Padraig18]

3. No. HHS is where his forte would lie.

Especially since delivering health care to every one should be a top priority of the next administration. Dean has DONE IT! :)

[molly]

7. The Surgeon General of the US reports to HHS

each branch of the military has their own SG. The current SG reports to Tommy Thompson.

[Padraig18]

12. I know.

That's why I want him as Sec. of HHS.

[Dookus]

4. absolutely not

Surgeon-General is such a low-level, meaningless position that it would be an insult to even offer it to Dean.

And I don't even like the guy.

[MAlibdem]

5. How long was Dean in medicine before going to politics

3 years? 8 years? Does he know enough about medicine to be Surgeon General? lemme kno. Symbolicly important move

[chocolateeater]

9. Do you even know what you are talking about?

[NashVegas]

6. Sure, If You Want

Dean gagged and on the sidelines.

[AP]

8. I think the problem with health care today is that it's becoming too ...

...corporate.

The next surgeon general should be someone who stands as a symbol of turning back this tide.

Is Dean a symbol of that?

[idlisambar]

13. Yes

That's exactly what Dean is a symbol of. Curbing corporate power and restoring a sense of community has been Dean's central campaign theme.

On health care in particular he's often spoke of the loss in this system of personal relationships between caregiver and patient and the consequent lack of trust.

[mikehiggins]

10. Dean will vanish into history, rarely to be heard from again.

IF he loses.

And who could blame him?

He gave it his best shot. He cleared the way. He forced the dems to at least make beleive they had some passion and some guts (though that will fade as the great stone face anesthetises us all). He and Trippi revolutionised the whole concept of grassroots, and made the rise of real democracy at least possible.

So he done good. If he doesn't win, maybe he can go on the lecture tour with Clark (if HE doesn't win). Seems like there's some big money in that. A book isn't beyond possibility.

Don't worry about Dean; he'll be okay.

It's the country that'll be suffering.

[EXE619K]

14. The Dean and Clark Extravaganza on Ice - 2005!

That's a good Idearrr!

[dansolo]

11. I'd consider it an insult

The Surgeon General reports to the Assistant Secretary for Health. Why should Dean be relegated to someone who reports to the person who reports to the Secretary of HHS? He would have very little influence on policy. Dean should be more than a spokesperson. Dean has more to him than fire and passion. He has a very good track record on matters of health policy. The way I see it, the best chance for the Democrats to heal the rift caused by suppressing Dean would be to give him a role in the administration where he will be able to affect policy changes. The only spokesperson role I would like to see Dean have is DNC chair.

[Mairead]

15. No, he'd be wasted there. He's not a Koop.

He might be quite an effective Senator, though.

[arewethereyet]

16. as long as he doesn't scream

we could use some energy in that job