Senator Tom Harkin backs HOWARD DEAN for HHS

[FLAprogressive]

The idea of nominating Howard Dean to head up the Department of Health and Human Services has the backing of at least one prominent national Democrat.

Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, who endorsed Dean's presidential campaign in 2004 and is rumored to be in the HHS running himself, applauded the idea of the former DNC header taking over the cabinet post vacated by Tom Daschle.

"I think that would be a very good move," Harkin told the Huffington Post. "He brings all the background and experience. He's very strong on prevention and wellness, which I'm very strong on. I think he'd make an outstanding secretary of HHS."

READ MORE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/02/05/sen-harkin-backs-dean-for_n_164320.html

:bounce:

[WI_DEM]

1. Good for Harkin! He also backed Dean for President in '04

[Cha]

17. Good for Harkin..he gave us

Vilsack for Ag..certainly Dean should be given considerble consideration.

[samplegirl]

2. You scream....I'll scream...

We'll all scream for Howard Dean!!! Would love to see him get this position.

[donheld]

24. You may call me a screamer but

I'm not the only one, I hope some day you'll join us, and the world will scream as one.

[w4rma]

3. Awesome. (nt)

[Larkspur]

4. Good for Harkin

and I agree with him

[JFKfanforever]

14. I trust Howard Dean...

[rurallib]

5. TOM!

My senator!

[Uncle Joe]

6. Kicked and recommended.

Thanks for the thread, FLAprogressive.:thumbsup:

[Cleita]

7. I'm sure Bernie Sanders of Vermont will too.

Maybe my Senator Barbara Boxer will too. I doubt if Dianne Fein$tein will though. Maybe we need to get a list of Senators who will back Dean and present it to Obama?

[FLAprogressive]

8. Nah Dean isn't corporate enough for Fein$tein

[napi21]

9. I think it's GREAT, but do you think Dr. Dean wants that job? n/t

[Cleita]

10. I think so.

The original reason he wanted to be President was so he could fix the health care problems in this country. I think it would be to his liking.

[KoKo]

11. From the article: One Dem says choice of Dean "political pacification" to progressives....

(So Obama's folks can pacify RW Repugs with Judd Gregg and yet to appoint Dean would be "bending to the demands of the left.") :wow:


Others are concerned that a major netroots movement to appoint Dean will actually turn the White House off the notion. They don't want it to seem like they are "bending to the demands of the left," as one Democrat put it -- not because they aren't concerned with progressive priorities, but because the choice will be criticized as an effort in political pacification.[/i

[FLAprogressive]

12. Well Gosh I wonder which bozo that is

Probably some shithead like LIEberman, Bayh, the Nelson twins, or Fein$tein.

[tsuki]

15. Sounds like the Toe-Sucker. nt

[KoKo]

22. Maybe the "toe-sucker" or Rahm who want's Pelosi's Job in 2 years?

:shrug:

[NashVegas]

23. I'm Not Sure I Want to Be Pacified

[Bonhomme Richard]

13. I think they want someone who only looks like they are going....

change healthcare in this country. That's why I think they like Daschle.
Only want someone to move the paper around the desk for a while.
Gotta protect the insurance companies you know.

[derby378]

16. But Daschle's out of the picture now

The DLC powers-that-be may not have much choice but to start making nice with Dean in the name of party unity.

[Kolesar]

18. Neither Clinton's or Obama's platform as a candidate was that good

Clinton's was better because hers had required participation. Neither were single payer.

I lost track of Edwards, Richards, Biden...?

[aldo]

19. Hear, hear

nt

[BattyDem]

20. I've always liked Harkin

:bounce:

[FiveGoodMen]

21. K & R

[midnight]

25. This would be such a good place and time for Dr. Dean to

take over the HHS....