Why Howard Dean is not in the Obama Cabinet

Howard Dean, the former governor of Vermont, was the darling of the 2004 campaign, an Internet-savvy breath of fresh air who energized Democrats,  before the Iowa caucuses -- and a screaming rant during his concession speech -- slowed his momentum.

And in 2008, during the historic campaign that elected the first African American president, Dean was chairman of the Democratic National Committee that helped elect a Democratic House and Senate and gave President Obama a solid chance at enacting his agenda.

So you kind of wondered why Dean got no offer to join the new administration. Even after Tom Daschle had to withdraw his nomination as secretary of Health and Human Services, the White House continued to shun the Vermont physician-turned-politician.

Now we know why.

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As Congress moves toward passing a healthcare reform bill, Dean took to the airwaves last night and slammed the bill, calling it "a terrible disappointment" and saying no liberal "in good conscience" could vote for the legislation because "it costs too much money and it's not healthcare reform, it's not even insurance reform."

As MSNBC's Savannah Guthrie reported this morning, the White House is angry at Dean's outburst, arguing that Democrats should not make the perfect the enemy of the good.

But Dean does speak for a cohort of liberals deeply suspicious about a bill that includes no public option.

Your thoughts?

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo Credit: Associated Press

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Comments

[tucanofulano]

Dean's not in a Federal government post because Obama does not want Americans with American values anywhere near the Oval office.

[Jeff]

The failure to include Howard Dean in the health care debate was the first sign of Obama's betrayal of those who elected him. Good for Dean for speaking up. Shame on Obama and Harry Reid for being such cowards who would bring the Judas Joe Lieberman into the fold while shunting the man who created the 50 state strategy that got them elected.

[arhibald drinkwater]

nice hit piece on dean. you shouldn't attack someone when they speak the truth and hold on to hopes of doing what is right. this health bill is a piece of garbage and does more harm than good... dean is right, it would be better to scrap it then pass it in its current form. the fact dean is not in the obama cabinet is more a reflection on obama than dean..... what kind of administration would intervene to help lieberman keep his chairmanship and at the same time go out of their way to snub the outgoing DNC chairman who delivered both houses of congress and the presidency for the democrats ? obama is looking more and more like a neo-con shill

[drice]

The premise of this post is way off base.

Dean is not in the Cabinet because of a long-standing disagreement with Rahm Emmanuel from when Dean was first elected to run the DNC. Dean was the Washington outsider when he campaigned for President and then for DNC Chair. He was not the preferred choice of senior Democratic officials in Washington.

Moreover, since he's not in the Cabinet, does that mean he's not allowed to express his opinion about a bad bill? Just because he is also a Democrat means he is under a permanent gag order to criticize bad policy? Is that really what you're advocating for in this piece?

Not only is the premise of this post just incorrect, it's just plain wrong.

[The Beagle]

My thought is that Howard Dean should be President and not Obama. The latter has turned out to be a corporate trojan horse, a Wall St. Manchurian Candidate, a stooge for the captains of industry. In public, the Republicans like to call Obama a "socialist", but in private, they know he's just a Democratic version of themselves: whores to corporations and Big Money.

[cab91]

"...the White House is angry at Dean's outburst, arguing that Democrats should not make the perfect the enemy of the good."

I don't really care that the White House--actually Rahm Emanuel--is angry at Dean. I care more that Dean represents progressives who wanted true reform and saw that goal sacrificed to keep Joe Lieberman and conservative Democrats happy and on board.

But this is not the reason why Dean is not in the Obama cabinet. Who wants a cabinet member that's more popular than the president?

[ByeBye0]

O can kiss his second term good bye.

[JohnR]

Why isn't Howard Dean in the cabinet? The picure pretty much says it all; he's an emotional man who says irreponsible things. Sort of a Joe Biden but without the self control (lol).

[doris forest]

A supposed health care reform bill, without a public option, and without a medicare buy -in at age 55, is not a health care ref0rm bill. I don't know any liberals who will be able to support this senate bill. It should be turned down, and the president should step up to the plate, for once, and just kill it. The public option is the only mandate which will insure reform from our profit driven heath care insurers. nothing else will do it. No public option, no health care reform. Simple as that. Howard Dean should be in charge of this whole issue, and boy, would he rattle old Joe Lieberman's teeth. Lieberman should not be allowed to caucus with democrats. Shove him over to the Republicans, and good riddance.

Doris Forest
Westport, CT

[Steve Freedman]

A weak bill is worth nothing and sometimes worse than nothing.

[tempest]

Dean is exactly right, the Democrats should not pass a bill that only masquerades as "reform". As it is, it's not a reform. The Democrats and Obama are a huge disappointment for not pursuing health care reform with the American people in mind. The simplest way would be what Senator Sanders proposes, i.e., expand Medicare for all Americans and those who want to opt out can buy their private insurance. Amazingly simple! I am afraid the insurance companies don't like that and that's why we can't have it. Why don't we tell all Senators and members of the house that their insurance is too expensive and the American people can't foot that bill any more! Let's see what happens when they have to buy their own insurance, especially those with "pre-existing conditions."

[bob]

It is a real releif to see Dean come out swinging. When the president backs Lieberman he does it at great political risk.

This Johanna Neuman hit piece is a real shame.

[Guzzo]

You go Dr. Dean.. you're absolutely right.

[Erich Blattner]

Dean is right, no public option = no go. This is a terrible idea and I'll be contacting my senators and rep tomorrow to say as much. The failure is Obama's.

[Jim Cumming]

I love Dean and Obama and Emmanuel. Can't we all just get along.

This healthcare cop-out is dangerous for the future. Obama needs to take a more principled stand, and compromise with bigPhama less.

[Edward Lubin, M.D.]

It is nothing short of nonsense to characterize objectors in conscience to this bill as enemies of the good in favor of unattainable perfection. Dr. Dean is well-spoken and makes the argument. This bill is a retreat from consumer choice in the form of buyouts and public plans in favor of mandatory conscription to private insurance without the expected benefits to subscribers of universal participation. It is all take and no give. It is a gift to the private insurance industry without the demand for accountability, pure and simple. The measly benefits to the American public are a sideshow to divert attention from the essential nugget of private insurance munificence this pork barrel plan contains. Yes I am a doctor, and yes, my allegiance is to the patient. Say no to this plan and start again.

[Alienhairdo]

Dear Mr. Obama,

I am a Michael Moore style liberal, progressive. I am so disappointed at the senate healthcare bill, the absence of serious financial regulation, failure to crack down on lobbyists, end the war, green economy, and every other progressive issue.

I am so disappointed, frustrated and angered that I, a Michael Moore liberal, plan to vote republican in the next election just out of spite. If I am willing to vote republican (I've never done so in my life) then the democrats are in real trouble. I would like to think of democrats finished as a party.

Get teeth or get out of office. Think about resigning. Please.