Howard Dean for Surgeon General!

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

Whoever gets the nod and beats Bush should appoint Howard Dean as Surgeon General. Since he's a life long doctor, and an expert in medicine and policy, I can't think of anyone more qualified for the position. Since Dean's been the governor of Vermont, even though it's a small state, it shows he can run a large organization.

I would welcome Howard Dean as the Democratic Surgeon General. It's a perfect fit for his qualifications.

[Mairead]

1. You do know that you're now going to get The Treatment, don't you?

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

3. wouldn't be the first time

:)

[VermontDem2004]

7. Well what do you mean by special treatment?

It seems to me the Dean supporters aren't responding hostile, they appear to be friendly to me. If that is what you mean by special treatment that I guess that is ok.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

11. they are usually quite hostile

but used to ignoring me by now.

[Orangepeel]

2. Hmm.... too bad he'll be too busy being President

:-)

Seriously, if Dean doesn't go all the way, I think that Secretary of Health and Human Services would be appropriate.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

4. Is SHHS a "higher" position than Surgeon General?

I'm not sure how that works. I mean, I doubt Dean will ever be president, but he played the game well, and he's qualified for a position in the eventual administration I think. Let him choose between SHHS and SG, sounds good to me.

[Orangepeel]

5. HHS is a cabinet position

SG isn't. :shrug:

[molly]

13. The Surgeon General of the US works for HHS

there are Surgeon Generals of different branches of the military such as SG of the Air Force. I have met both of them.

on edit - all SG positions are O9 - David Satcher was an O10, but that is a different story.

[elfin]

6. Good idea

I have been an early supporter of Dean (even sent some $)- then switched to Kerry by a thin edge - now am enamored of Clark. Am still vacillating. My primary concern is how to beat Dumbya - and I think the swing issue will turn out to be Security (both domestic and international), even more than the economy which is a given. All seem about the same on the economy, environment, choice etc.but Clark and Kerry have the experience and advantage on the security issue.

Dean says what I want to hear on Security, but I think his lack of being up close to the issue for many years will hurt him. Kerry has the experience, but he lacks the "passion" which can ignite voters. Clark seems to have a blend of both which appeals to me -

[VermontDem2004]

8. If you pay attention to polls unlike me

I can't site a source but I seen a poll

where the economy/jobs issue was number 1 with 40% of the vote of the people who were polled. Terrorism was right in the middle with 7%. I am sure all the issues on the poll where on people's minds but right now most Americans want to get back to work and see this economy improve. The only one who is in trouble is Bush.

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

9. true, but I fully expect terrorism and war to be a major issue

If we get a candidate that attacks the GOP hard on outsourcing, NAFTA, and job losses, while maintaining a lead on national security issues, we'll win handily.

[Julien Sorel]

10. Well done.

;-)

[wndycty]

12. Well actually. . .

While I am backing Clark, I don't think we need to kick Dean down to Surgeon General just yet. He could serve a lot higher (if Clark does not run, I am backing Dean).

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY he should at least be SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. . .I met Louis Sullivan who was SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES under Bush I and I mistakenly called him Surgeon General, he quickly and politely pointed out that while Surgeon General is an excellent post its seven grades below SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, so I think Dean can do much better.