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Unfortunately, and despite his vast talent, Dean has never learned to play well
with others. I simply cannot imagine him in the halls of congress, wearing the
mantle of health care reformer, and attempting to sway Republicans to the
cause.
Particularly as he spent the last two years insulting the life out of them as
Chairman of the DNC.
His honesty admirable, his enthusiasm lauded ... but in this political and
economic climate, we need a smooth operator. Someone capable of the
gentler arts of persuasion and consensus making.
He was indeed my state's governor, and a good one. His leadership style was
always on the raw and confrontational side, assisted by that natural arrogance
physicians often possess. He was able to expand upon an existing children's
health care program (Dr, Dinosaur), and did his best to undertake adult reforms
before leaving to run for the presidency in 2004.
In my opinion, Dean's talents are best used in a position like the DNC chair.
He has little Obama-like finesse, does not suffer fools gladly and has had overt
and unapologetic conflict with many on both sides of the proverbial aisle in
his few forays into dealing with congress. It is a bit of a foreign country to
him, The Hill. We desperately need someone with skills and a good map, if
an "outsider" is chosen, not someone with Dean's propensity to ham-fist
negotiations.
While a part of me hopes that he will rise to a position in the new administration
and prove me wrong, I just don't see that happening. The President is cleaning
up after so many personal caveats and unforeseen glitches, I imagine he will
not seek more controversy. Whether this has anything at all to do with his Chief of
Staff is irrelevant, and unlikely to be clarified.
If other Vermonters out there have thoughts on the subject, I would so enjoy hearing
them!
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