Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Bredesen, Cooper Still Waiting for Obama's Call

Posted by Jeff Woods on Wed, Feb 4, 2009 at 6:37 AM

After Tom Daschle withdrew his nomination for secretary of health and human services yesterday, Politico was quick to name Phil Bredesen and Jim Cooper as possible replacements. But overnight, our hometown heroes seem to have dropped out of consideration. The New York Times reports the White House is focusing on governors, "who by nature of their jobs run state Medicaid programs," and mentions particularly Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas. Other possibilities: Govs. Edward G. Rendell of Pennsylvania and Jennifer M. Granholm of Michigan and former Gov. John Kitzhaber of Oregon, all Democrats. Um, didja know, we have a Democratic governor, too? Even Politico seems to forgotten that Bredesen and Cooper exist. Politico's Carrie Budoff Brown is throwing names all over the place today in her story. There's Sebelius, Kitzhaber, Howard Dean, John Podesta, and even Mitt Romney--yes Mitt Romney--but no Bredesen or Cooper. What happened? The White House knows either guy would make a really bad choice, the main reason being neither one could help the president deliver universal health care. As Daily Kos points out, "Cooper's major accomplishment in the field of health and human services was sinking the Clinton plan in 1993, precisely because he objected to employer mandates for universal coverage." (We also agree with Daily Kos, by the way, that our congressman is full of it for saying on Liberadio! the White House is secretly happy he voted against the stimulus package. But that's another story.) As for Bredesen, please. Let's review. He's a former HMO executive who campaigned as the candidate with the business acumen to save TennCare, then killed it. More than 200,000 people--most of them categorized as uninsurable in the private sector because of pre-existing conditions or chronic illnesses--were tossed off the rolls. That's not exactly a great little item on the resume for the guy who would finally bring us universal health care.

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I have a suggestion for Hon. Barack Hussein, the annointed: There's a fella, name of Blogojevitch, whom our national Savior has got to be acquainted with from his days training himself for national leadership organizing the South Chicago Community. Since our new nations Savior seems to tend toward appointing potential felons to high government positions, Rod would fill the bill famously. Hell, go for it Barack. You've just been dabbling so far. Rod is a bona-fide felon and would be the perfect czar of health and human services. Just imagine the service Rod could render to the poor and underprivileged.

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Posted by SamCynic on February 4, 2009 at 11:14 AM

If Cooper went to HHS, I would demand a refund from Obama for my campaign contributions.
Can someone please, please run against Cooper in the primary? The guy has to go.

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Posted by Deadman on February 4, 2009 at 2:45 PM

I AM SO ANGRY!
Tom Daschle, and Nancy Killefer are two of the finest, and most competent public servants you could possibly hope for in these appointments. They have been assassinated by the Washington healthcare lobby through their paid Bush Republican henchmen in congress. These Bush republicans are the same people blocking the economic recovery plan put forth by the Obama administration.
I am BURNING MAD America. And you should be too. Tome Daschle and Nancy Killefer were exactly what we needed to help turn this country around and fix our economy, and catastrophic healthcare crisis.
If I were their boss I would tell them to get right back to Washington. And dare congress to not approve them. How ridiculous is it to reject highly qualified people that this country needs just because they made a mistake on their taxes. Don't stand for that anymore America. They apologized, and paid their taxes, and that should be it. Their country needs them. But President Obama has to do what he thinks is best. I understand that. I'M JUST SO MAD at the anti American Bush Republicans.
Like many of you I have been trying to enjoy the after glow of this Beautiful historic election. But I see that the republicans in congress and their cohorts aren't going to be good sports, and LOSER'S!
SO BE IT!
In spite of President Obama's repeated offers, and gestures of collegiality to Republicans. Bush Republicans have seized upon every opportunity to stab President Obama in the back. And by doing so they are stabbing you, and the rest of the American people in the back. Well, you don't have to put up with that. And you shouldn't put up with that. President Obama has only been on the job two weeks. And he inherited two wars, and the worst economy since the great depression.
We had an election. And president Obama, and the democrats won BIG. And Bush Republicans lost miserably!
The Bush Republicans are the ones responsible for the worst economic crisis since the great depression. And the Bush Republicans are responsible for the worst healthcare crisis in American history. A healthcare crisis that is killing hundreds of thousands of you every year. Rich, middle class, and poor a like. Insured, and uninsured. Men, women, children, and babies.
President Obama, and the Democrats should take back all the concessions they granted the Bush Republicans, and tell them to put up! or shut up!
Everyone, start calling and contacting these Bush Republicans and tell them to stop blocking President Obama, and the Democrats recovery plan. And stop trying to block, and corrupt healthcare reform. Tell them to get on board with President Obama and the Democrats, or GET OUT!!
If these Bush Republicans refuse to cooperate I want all of you to immediately begin the process of removing them from office by every legal means possible. Including impeachment, and recall. I want you to bring the full weight and power of the movement down on their heads that swept President Obama, and the Democrats into control of the whitehouse, and congress. Take no prisoners. Use all the techniques you learned over this past historic election. Be flexible, creative, adaptable, and relentless like you were in the past.
To my cyber warriors I call on you again. You are among the best and the brightest. I call on you to move this fight from the cyber world to the living rooms, dens, and work places of the voters these Bush Republicans misrepresent. I know I can count on you. This is a fight worth fighting.
To my fellow World citizens. As an American I invite, and welcome you and your advise, input, and help. By delaying Americas recovery, and healthcare reform, these Bush Republicans are delaying our commitment to your recovery, and to being the better America for you that we aspire too.
I had hoped it would not come to this after our historic election. I had hoped that the Bush Republicans would respect the overpowering will of the people, and the World. But I guess not. All the Bush Republicans really care about is them-selves. Well, SO BE IT! Lets finish the job.
Sincerely
jacksmith --- Working Class :-)

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Posted by jacksmith on February 5, 2009 at 12:24 AM

Dr. Dean is the only worthy choice for this dept.
Obama having the balls to appoint him is another matter entirely.

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Posted by captainkona on February 5, 2009 at 2:33 PM

Don`t blame Bush for your idiotic vote.Blame the person with all the real power to stop alot of this bullshit.That person is your democratic elected NANCY PELOSY. She is your downfall. Your God, Obamma,will never get anything done while shes in office.I suppose at the end of obammas term,Bush will still be the culprit. I hate ignorrance and lack of common sense.You need to face the fact that your vote was nothing more then a dream of false hopes.You democrats are in control of the house and the senate.You don`t need help from the republicans.Obamma could do whatever he wants to,except the only person who could stop him is ,guess who? NANCY PELOSY.

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Posted by gaetano on June 9, 2009 at 6:09 AM
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