Who’s Replacing Daschle? Not Tom Harkin. What About Mitt Romney?
Reporters are chasing a rumor that’s running around to the effect that Tom Harkin, a longtime universal health care proponent, could be in the running to replace Tom Daschle as the nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services.
But a source close to Harkin says it’s virtually certain not to happen and isn’t something he’d really want in any case.
“He just won re-election, moved up in seniority, and has moved up on the Appropriations Committee,” which will be in the thick of developing the economic stimulus package, the source says. “Why would he want to leave? He can still be a major player here without answering to the administration.”
Separately, a good roundup of speculation from Johnathan Cohn on the other possibilities, with some heavy money on Kathleen Sebelius.
Meanwhile, Karen Tumulty is suggesting…Mitt Romney?
Not sure about that one. Yes, Obama has made some unconventional choices. But Romney, if memory serves, articulated some rather stark philosophical and political differences with Obama during the election. And Romney thinks he’s running for President in 2012. A stint helping Obama implement his agenda wouldn’t exactly do wonders for his chances in the GOP primary.
I will puke if HHS goes to a Republican.
hard to imagine, but who knows at this point.
I’d be upset if Obama appoints one more stupid Republican. Romney would be the worst.
Greg
As Josh notes, we’ve got another name advanced for the position:
http://blogs.cqpolitics.com/trailmix/2009/02/why-not-gingrich-for-hhs.html?referrer=js
And that got me thinking, who better than Abe Foxman for Comptroller at Hamas?
Bernie: be careful what you propose …
oy. this is pure journalist driven speculation about Romney. Fineman yesterday said it should be…Bil Clinton. Yes he is a Dem but come on, can these tv pundits report on how the economy is in the hole instead of throwing these names around.
ps thanks Greg for checking the Harkin rumor.
Greg
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I hope you noticed the pushback Karen got yesterday in the comments section. She was just trying to be provocative. Mitt Romney is a tool and he isn’t serious about universal health care because he doesn’t want anything done to the insurers. Instead he wants “free market” fixes. Also known as bullsh*t
Karen Tumulty is dumb as dirt. A quintessential villager. Totally worthless.
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