Why Not Howard Dean for Obama?

Tom Daschle had to withdraw his name from consideration to become Health and Human Services Secretary. The tax thing was obviously too much. President Barack Obama, unlike his predecessor, took the hit and admitted his mistake in continuing to push for Daschle's confirmation.


Good job. So now what?

Howard Dean, that's what! The president would do well to listen to the chorus of progressive voices who are saying the outgoing DNC chair is the perfect person for the job. There are all sorts of rumors to the effect that Rahm Emanuel would counsel the president against picking Dean.

That's not good enough. Sure, the pair clashed over Dean's 50 state strategy, but who turned out to be right? Besides, this can't be about grudge politics. Howard Dean, Dr. Howard Dean, simply has the best credentials.

Dean expanded health care coverage to children when he was governor of Vermont. As a doctor, he can speak to doctors and allay their suspicions about what most progressives feel is most needed, universal health care.

In doing so, he can hopefully get patients on board as well. In many cases, doctors make their most passionate arguments against universal health care to the people they see in their office.

President Obama will do doubt act fast to fill the vacuum created by Daschle's exit. There are people other than Howard Dean who will be considered.


Yet at the end of the day, can those of us who want to see a sharp change in the current health care system say there's anybody more qualified than Howard Dean?

What do you think?