Sebelius likeliest at HHS. Ed Rendell a dark-horse possibility. (Dean not.)

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

(DC talk... not to the level of beltway CW yet but in "stuff people say" territory. Offered as a hypothetical for discussion--please, no wagering)

Sibelius... nothing against her I guess. She doesn't enthuse me but if I was betting she'd be the horse to back.

Ed Rendell would be an awesome choice, IMO.

Either would do fine. My preference for Rendell would be that he's a rougher, more energetic sort of political thinker which I think it a plus. (Healthcare=Hard Ball. The money arrayed against any worthwhile health care proposal will be prodigious and Rendell's a forceful spokesman and something of a street-fighter.)

Discuss.

[Parker CA]

1. Where is this info coming from?

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

3. DC scuttlebutt, nothing more.

As I said, if I was betting I'd bet KS. But I wouldn't advise someone else to.

You hear this, read that, talk to people and form impressions.

Nothing more than that.

[Parker CA]

6. I was interested in the link, so thanks for the clarification. n/t.

[BOSSHOG]

2. I think she'd make a great choice

She has a background in Health Care, but I'd rather see her run for the senate instead of handing the governship over to a repubican. AND, I hope the Obama teams asks her about her tax situation.

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

4. I agree. I don't like taking red-state Dems out of circulation

[crimsonblue]

15. The Lieutenant Governor is a Democrat. n/t

[Neecy]

5. I doubt it'll be Sebelius

She said early on that she wouldn't accept a cabinet position because she wants to deal with the financial crisis in her State. It's also widely rumored that she wants to run for Brownback's Senate seat in 2010.

[blue_onyx]

7. National Organization for Women wants...

Sen. Debbie Stabenow as Secretary of Health and Human Services. I don't know how likely this is but I'm not sure I feel good about removing another Senator to be in the administration. Removing another governor and potential Senator in 2010 (Sebelius) doesn't seem like a great idea either. Maybe someone like Dean, who doesn't currently have a political position, would be a good choice.


http://www.now.org/press/02-09/02-03.html

[blm]

8. Rendell's a Clinton thug who wouldn't fight for ANYTHING unless it benefited

him or his Clinton cronies politically. This is the same guy who wouldn't back up Gore's recount fight, though it was his JOB to do so.

[KoKo]

10. I think there's some dirt on Rendell going way back. Maybe it will

turn up early before Obama appoints him. Don't need any more who have to drop out.

I think the dirt was when he was Mayor.

[Barack_America]

11. It's hard to imagine Rendell's clean. He also has a "car and driver" issue...

In that several years ago he was busted insisting that his driver routinely speed between Philly and Harrisburg.

Probably a minor issue, but I'm not sure that Obama can risk even that. And, having been Philly mayor, I would be shocked if there weren't more significant skeletons in his closet.

[camera obscura]

9. Rendell would put a Republican gov in PA. No thanks.

[Sebastian Doyle]

12. Shit.... Rendell IS a Republican gov in PA

And they can keep him. Can't stand that fucking DLC prick.

[ebbie15644]

13. No not

Rendell, please!!!!!!!

[crimsonblue]

14. Hmm... not sure if I want Sebelius to take HHS

and I'm not sure she'd take the job if offered. She really wants to run for Brownback's open Senate seat in 2010, so she will be campaigning for much of the next year starting this summer. Plus, we still need her in Kansas to keep the GOP controlled House and Senate from destroying the budget and allowing coal plants into Kansas.

[camera obscura]

17. I agree, she is by far our best choice to win that seat.

[crimsonblue]

19. You mean our only choice?

It's going to be tough to defeat Moran. He is extremely well liked in Kansas, even his opponents. I've met him before, and he will actually have a legitimate policy debate with person he disagrees with. I can respect that. I hope Sebelius wins, but I think even if she didn't, Moran would be far better than Brownback.

[Clio the Leo]

16. Katheleen was my hopeful VP choice......

.... until Barack introdcued me to the wonderment that is Joseph Biden. So I hope it IS her.

[FLAprogressive]

18. Two DLC'ers....change baby! Rendell is an especially giant loser

[saltpoint]

20. It might be exciting to persuade Gov. Sebelius to run for Brownback's

seat.

Or, she may already have decided to go for it.

She'd have a good shot at winning, IMO, adding to our majority in the Senate.

I want to like Ed Rendell, but never really have.

If President Obama leaves the choice for HHS up to me, the nod goes to Bill Bradley.