WASHINGTON (CNN) - With Dr. Sanjay Gupta taking himself out of the mix as President Obama's choice for Surgeon General, CNN has learned that the name of former Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean has now emerged as a possible pick for the high-profile post.
Senior Democratic officials say that Dean, a medical doctor and former Vermont governor who championed health reform, has privately made clear that he is interested in the post. Dean had publicly expressed interest in serving as secretary of Health and Human Services but lost out, and many Democrats believe he was blocked because of a feud he had with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel back in the 2006 election cycle.
But two White House officials told CNN that while it's too early to compile an official list of candidates for Surgeon General, they believe that it's possible for Dean to get the job. "I would not dismiss it," one of the White House officials said of the possibility that Dean will be selected.
One Democratic strategist close to Dean made clear the former DNC chair would take the position if it is offered. "He'll do whatever the President would like him to do," said the strategist. "He's certainly well-suited and well-qualified for that job. It would certainly shut up a lot of Dean supporters."
But another source close to Dean said nobody at the White House has contacted him about the job and noted that the former governor has previously indicated he’s not interested in this particular position.
Supporters of Dean believe he should get some kind of reward for presiding over the Democratic party in which they scored major electoral gains in the 2006 and 2008 election cycles. But Dean famously clashed with Emanuel in 2006, who was serving as the chairman of the House Democrats' campaign arm at the time, over where to spend scarce campaign cash in the final days of the campaign in which Democrats ended up taking control of Congress.
People close to Dean and Emanuel, however, insist the two men have since patched up their differences and recently had lunch together. Those sources also noted that in recent months Emanuel reached out and offered Dean a lower-level health-related job in the administration that was turned down.
(Updated with additional information from source close to Dean)
From CNN Politics
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Will Dean provide us with his patented scream every week?
If President Obama names Dean Surgeon General, will he give out one of those awful screeches like Howard Dean does? I wonder how they would spell that out on his teleprompter....
YYYYEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAUUUUGGGHHHHHHHH!!!!!!
And this would be a further indication of the complete idiocy that is this administration. This idiot, being the so called 'top doctor' of the land? Makes me miss Jocilyn Elders.
You weren't elected President. I wasn't either.
Let the President make the decision. You "Monday Morning Quarterbacks" are tiresome.
Brilliant idea.
Sanjay Gupta is the best for this position....he's the bomb as far as I'm concerned.....
works for me...the Democratic party's Rush Limbaugh. "Everybody who disagrees with me is wrong and everybody who thinks the same is ok.
Way to go Obama...Change is on the way!!!
Howard's a good guy, but for heaven's sake, he couldn't even make a decision when it came to the Super-delegates in the Dem. primary. Mr. dean can't make a decision on his own. How effective would this guy be?
I don't know about this one. I certainly think he would be a far better choice than Gupta (WTH was that about?) but he does have a tendancy to stick his foot in his mouth and that's Mr Biden's job.
Better qualified candidates are still out there.
HOWARD DEAN IS THE MOST VERSATILE AND CAPABLE DEMOCRATIC POWERHOUSE.
I hope the Obama Administration lock him in for Surgeon General.
Howard wooooooooo Dean.
Hope his medicine is better than his demeanor.
You definitely got my vote, Dean.
You definitely got my vote, Dean.
I personally like Mr. Dean and hope he gets the position.
While I'm a strong supporter of the Obama administration, they should leave wackos like Howard Dean alone.
Ridiculous! Is this man even a doctor?
I mean a real doctor?
Surgeon general is a high-ranking position, I'm not sure Howard dean is a good choice. This is a man who can't make a decision on his own.
Of course he is a socialist. Dang it America, we're probably going to get stuck with socialized healthcare. That stinks.
Howard Dean given the position based solely on presiding over the Demo. Convention. Not a good reason.
Howard Dean deserves this position as he was quite effective and DNC chairman and he came close to winning the Pres nomination a few years ago.
Oh Please not Howard Dean. His decisions during the election nearly split the democratic party in half. There are other qualified doctors out there. Let's let Howard Dean just go away.
GREAT! A nut job in charge of health.
Better check his tax returns,,,,,,,,,,,,
That would be a good choice, or Ron Paul. Forget politics in the choice, what is best for the country should be top priority. OOPS, forgot, no one can set aside politics and do what is best for the country right now.....silly me.
YeaaaHawww another idiot dem placed in a position they don't deserve. How long has it been since he last cracked a medical book? or saw a patient?
Can't we find a real doctor?
All have to say is......... yeeeeeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope they can let by gones be by gones and get down to business. I say get these positions filled and keep it moving.
Howard the Screamer as Surgeon General. Does this mean ACORN would run that office too?
Dr.HD is the man...for that j.o.b.
AYaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Screamin' Howard! Sounds like a typical choice to me.
Don't bite off your nose to spite your face. Give it to Dr. Dean. He makes more sense than Gupta anyway. Plus, he's got the political prowess that wins elections. He needs to stay in the thick of things.
The Barnum & Bailey Administration always has room for one more clown.
Wonder if he will go into a lunatic rant when nominated, remember Iowa.
If anyone can get health care reform it would be Howard Dean! He is such a great leader and knows how to compromise and generate consensus. The only one who could do a better job would be Hillary Clinton. I sure hope Dean has paid his taxes, because we really need him to reform health care – he is the only one who can do the job. (Or the only one, now that Tom Daschal is not available, since he was the only one who could have reformed health care before).
LOL... so much for change.
We think Dr. Howard Dean would be a fantastic appointment!
Self-destructive Democrats...
First He ran for Governor; then President; then the DNC chair; and now Surgeon Generaaaaaaallllll..........Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!!!!!!!!!
Maybe the former guv can teach his minions scream therapy as treatment.
Surely I'm reading an article from "The Onion." This has to be a joke. When I think of all the capable people who could fill this position. Is our president a glutton for punishment. This guy probably has more skeletons in his closet than any appointee yet. Why does he keep doing this to himself?
Add to that, Dean proved himself to both Demos and Repubs alike to be an absolute moron.
well for one the Republican will push him .. not have one single problem with him..
Howard Dean hates gay people.. So he is right up their ally
Dean? Just saying. Now I'll REALLY spit up in my mouth!
Yes, Yes, Yes we want Howard Dean!!!!!!!!
Oh great... a surgeon general who will just SCREAM at us for 4 years!
Glad to see Obama cronies getting government appointments. THIS is "change"???
Dean is a goodf man and should be seriously considered for the position of Surgeon General. He is the true leader of the Democrats "National Agenda" as opposed to "Battleground State" strategy and his national view will be a big help to President Obama as he struggles against the entrenced priveleged few agenda.
THIS ONE WE DO NOT NEED , FOR HE CAN OUT DO BARRACK ON LIES AND MORE LIES. PUT IT IN CORRECT FORMAT , FLIP FLOPS , ARE CROCK'S '
FOR WHEN THE DRIVER ( BARRACK ) GOES OVER THIS CLIFF , THIS IS NO ONE TO APPLY FIRST AIDE.
JUST ADDING MORE TO THE MESS. IT ALL IS GETTING SICKING , WANT TO VOMIT I DO . HIS NAME ALONE , MUCH LESS TO HEAR HIM FLIP , AN FLOP. THANK GOD FOR THE REMOTE.
But in what theatre? Pakistan?
He should have been top of the list...
Yes, Dean. Smart man, good leader. He would serve our country well.
You are joking aren't you? This guy is a bum and not all that stable. Remember the scream, he is totally screwed up, but at least I guess he has paid his taxes and that is different anyway.
does the hypocratic oath apply to Republicans Dr. Dean?
Its a GO Howard Dean.
A disgraced red -neck who couldn't bring this party together ( Democrats) and you want too give him a job. We have a President who is a JOKE and know we want too put this idiot into Health care reform, HA HA . Why not get some one off the street like we did for President and really ruin this country. do it right. I'm sure Obama has a druggie friend who could use a job.
I hope he gets it... he is a hard working man.
Terrific Choice. Howard Dean would totally rock !!
My nomination: Remove the position and return the salary to the US Taxpayer. Do we really need to pay for Howard Dean to scold us about the evils of smoking? Let's have this insufferable gas-bag retire in ignomy to New Hampshire.
My first impression is that this is too little actual responsibility for someone of Gov. Dean's abilities. If he wants the job, more power to him. But I'd rather he stick with his plan to go back to DFA and comment unrestrictively on Health Care reform.
Wait... isn't this the same guy who created a fustercluck because he couldn't lead the DNC???
And Obama wants to hoist him on America as the Surgeon General???
He's an artery popping kind of guy, so he'd be good for the job, like tax cheat Geithner is good for the head tax job.
I think Dean would be a good choice, very well qualified and this cabinet needs to get settled.
Sure why not have this bufoon as the nation's finger waiver...
Howard Dean is a fine American and we Vermonters are proud of him. President Obama owes him and he should appoint Gov. Dean, MD to the office of Surgeon General
"Yawaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!
Dean deserves that job!!
HELL YES!!!
Why it took so long to come to this conclusion I don't know.
Of course Howard Dean should be Surgeon General. Dean is fully qualified, no-nonsense manager, and unabashed advocate for patients. It's a no brainer.
Hey you kids, quit smoking YYYY-EEEEE-AAA-A-HHHHHHhhh!!!
Dean would not be a good choice for Surgeon General because he is a polarizing political figure, and is better known for being the chairman of the DNC than he is for being a physician. The Surgeon General is a public education/public relations position, and it needs to be filled by someone who can have the trust of all the American people.
I say this as a staunch Democrat, by the way.
Last Patriot... shut up... you make NO sense whatsoever! This is the 21st century... we are truly a LOT more intelligent. We don't need you to tell anyone how to run this government! We voted overwhelmingly for Obama... NOT you republicans! That says something.... right? Pffft... ignorance needs to be called what it is.... IGNORANCE! All those who think Rush Limbaugh is the voice of reason truly need to get a grip on reality... put away your white sheets and cone hats! Move on into 21st century.... join the majority of Americans!
Not a bad choice at all.
Hum, go figure – Howard Dean on Obama performing a surgery – How about swapping his heart with bush? – An Obama Bush - God bless America..!!
Ben Mokay
SEATTLE,WA
Yes, Jon in CA.
This is change.
No matter how much you dislike it...
By promoting preventative health the Surgeon General can save Americans millions of dollars in unnecessary health care expenses.
If you really want to be a Patriot you would understand that. As a trained physician and longtime advocate for improved public health policies, Dean is more than qualified for the post.
This wack job will fit right in.
Jon in CA. GET A HOBBY –you are one sick bastard.
Throw a dog a bone, and put Bill Frist in there. At least he is an actual MD.
YES, YES, YES, Howard Dean Please
Heeeyaaa!!!! Heeeyaaa!!! Howard Dean for sturgeon general...
Howard Dean is the Man
Why don't they select a guy fresh out of medical school. That person can't be any worse.
Jon in CA: There's a difference between choosing qualified people with needed expertise and experience who happened to have served in government in the past, and cronies, like "Heckuva Job, Brownie," who get jobs simply because they know someone.
If the person's qualified, I say nominate them!
Jon in CA –
So you're basically telling us that all you know about Hoard Dean amounts to a half second scream 4 years ago?
Way to stay current.
THEN HE'LL BE SURGEON GENERAL IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, THEN HE'LL BE SURGEON GENERAL IN MICHIGAN, AND FLORIDA, AND NEVADA AND COLORADO, THEN WISCONSIN !!!!!!!!!!!!
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!!
Give me a break, Howard Dean...........we need leadrship not a clown. I normally support the President, but this is nad counsel on the behalf of his staff. I would rather see the position go vacant than Howard Dean.
Wrong choice. He might start yelling at us.
Howard Dean would make an excellent Surgeon General. And by the way, Last Patriot, Dean is from Vermont – not New Hampshire.
We will have a howling good time with old Dean! Soap opera deluxe !
GO HOWARD DEAN!!!
If he wants it give it to him he's worked hard for the Dems.
So this is the change we've heard so much about?
Push him to every state in the union. He can recite them by heart!! AHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Good grief – just what this country needs a man who hasn't practiced medicine in years to be the Surgeon General. I think there are many others much more qualified than this screaming ninny.
HOWARD DEAN???!!! What the hell! How about Jimmy Dean????
this is a very good appointment
he is a very good man and can get the job done the U.S. needs
Dear Republicans, You were in power for the most part for the past 14 years (congress and-or the white house) you have lost big time and WE REALLY DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK !!! Personally, I hope you keep complaining and obstructing so I can sell my:
70-30 & 300-135 in 2010
bumper stickers. Keep it up guys... and watch what happens.
Soemthing about Howard Dean as Surgeon General would remind me of Dr. Nick on The Simpsons, proud graduate of West Hollywood Upstairs Medical College.
YEEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHH-HHHHHHHAAAAAWWWWWWW!
Howard Dean is an idiot.
The inevitable is coming, and the true colors of liberalism will show through. This needed to happen so our country could actually recognize the talent that needs to be put in the white house.
I'm not sure if Dean is a good choice or not, but he is a doctor.
Not no, but H No!,,,Please put a Doctor or a Professor of medicine...
Actually, it's a good spot for Dean. Obviously challenged by anything requiring critical thought, all he has to do is demonstrate putting a condom over a cucumber a thousand times a year. He should be able to do that without screwing up.
Dean is a fantastic choice and I'm all for him!
Texas Teacher March 6th, 2009 6:59 pm ET
Last Patriot… shut up… you make NO sense whatsoever!
-----
Texas Teacher:
Dean? Just saying. Now I'll REALLY spit up in my mouth! Just saying.
Did he pay his taxes? If not he will be a good pick.
I think Bill Ayers, spokesman for the DNC, would be a better choice.
Dean will scold at Pres. Obama, for smoking during their idle time. lol
Hilarious!
Dean would serve us well as Surgeon General. Despite his quacks and shortfalls, the man's heart's in the right place. If Emmanuel is the one blocking his appointment or 'bad mouthing him': Shame on Rham for being such a small person! I respect Rham, but here and now he needs to chill and realize he doesn't have all the answers ... Besides, Dean has served the DNC pretty good. Go Barack, show Dean the post, Rham - just chill, you're already 'all that'.
OH NO Not another extreme liberal! What a joke!
Don't the demmies get it – President Obama doesn't want Dean and he rules the roost or does he?
Ohh yeah, right? Dr. G(Which I call your guys doctor) is out. You know, I don't blame him. To tell you the truth, I think I even said that I hope he does what's best for him. Plus, right now in Washington, there's a lot of stock right now...good and bad, either way.
And in my opinion, let the Big Boys(and ladies, sorry) take care of this. They've been in this game an awfully long time...
And what does this unneeded position do? Oh, that's right just another way to bilk taxpayers out of their money for a position that does nothing by people who know nothing but to take a large salary (and kickbacks) for doing nothing!
I hope Howard Dean is. I think Howard Dean would make a superb Surgeon General, if he does the same job he did for the Democratic party.
Really? All these unsubstantiated lobs at Dean?
-"probably has more skeletons . . " Um, no. He's been vetted for Gov, a Pres Run and as DNC Chair. What is he hiding?
-"the scream" -So what? Not sure this matters at all. I'll take someone who is critically minded and can get people motivated (as he did during his run and as DNC Chair) over some boring Cheneyfolk any day.
-"hates gay people" – um how is that again?
-" a bum and not all that stable" how? really? argue the point on his issues but how is this man a bum? He has a loving marriage, a successful record of public service, did what his party asked him to do when they needed him to do it, etc.
- "a disgraced red neck who couldn't bring his party together." Well, actually, he did just that. Delivering a major Congresional election and the Presidency using a strategy dismissed by the usual suspects. Again, what are you talking about?
Let's have some real info instead of these weird lobs.
And I loved the scream. Have you seen the whole clip! He's fired up and ready to go. Excited about trying to make things better. We could have had someone like him in the White House and not the man even most Republicans turned against for his pre-emptive war mongering (Iraq), open door policy for war and energy profiteers (Halliburton, Enron and energy folks writing his energy policy), and astoundingly inept handling of the economy (read the papers, check your retirement account if you have one.
Shame on them for pushing Dr. Sanjay Gupta out!
Are you kidding me? Is this a joke?
Oh Good, a "yes" man...Dean would actually be a good fit with the Camelot Clowns & Cheats.
The Last Patriot:
Remove the job of the Surgeon General! Are you for real? Maybe you should actually find out what the position really is all about.
I think H.Dean is a great pick.
Hey Texas teacher, we will be very happy to let you run all the nominations for Obama. Wow, what a superb job he has been doing with it. Sure, in every century, people are smart to understand the mistakes they make and you will see it in the coming elections. Howard Dean, will be a very good spokesman and we cannot wait for him to become the Surgeon General.lol
Dean?! No way. Get someone we can respect.
The Doctor is in. He did a great job of restoring the backbone to my party. I think he would be great.
Obama has been very reasonable with his cabinet choices. We should have at least one Secretary who makes the right wingers feel the way Rumsfeld made me feel.
Maybe Obama should ask Deans patients if he is up to the job.
OH MY GOD!! THAT PARTISAN WACKO MANIAC?!!
IS THIS A BAD JOKE?!!!!!
It's good to see the collective IQ and memory spans of people who post on this site – so low... Why don't you do some research on the internet about what happened with the scream and how the Repub and Dem smear machines couldn't find a thing on this guy and how Republicans thought he was a good governor. What does it matter if he hates gay people if he believes and acted on giving equal rights to them? Yes, let the 'ignoramus' go back to New Hampshire – oh wait, he's from VERMONT.
@Texas Teacher
you keep posting about the overwhelming vote for obama, he received 53% of the vote. let me explain, that means 47% did not, not really overwhelming, you might choose another word or just stick to majority.
your seem to be a microcosm of what is wrong today in America, misinformed on so many levels.
Hoawrd Dean hates gays??? He was the governor who signed Vt's Civil Union Law. Let's stick to facts, k?
Dean should have a leadership role within the Party – Whether that role is as Surgeon General is up for debate.
His 50 state-strategy proved to be vital this past election and undoubtedly for future success of the Party as well.
But Mr. Chairman, please, no more Baltimora-esque "I Have a Scream" speeches – then again, even that was kind of cool if not ‘different’.
I wish he was the HHS Secretary but this is great.
George Lundberg would be a better candidate
Brad from Illinois. You are so negative. Do you think your words really make an impression?
I think there's a typo in the headline - they actually said "sturgeon general". They want him to take care of rare fish and go away.
@ brad in IL. your overreaching. your opinion is baseless and pulled out of thin air.and stop hatin on the President it's not becoming.
@Texas Teacher....why do you liberals keep bringing up Bush and Rush. They are non issues. The issue is getting this country going again and it's the people that will do it, not the government. Liberals are the ones that need to get a grip and just because you have a few degrees do make you smarter that anyone else. Stop looking down your nose!!!!!
That's a terrific idea! Take a guy that needs a shrink real badly and put him in the medical driver's seat for socialized medicine. Wonderful move!!! Hope he paid his taxes............................
I can't believe that Republican Idiots still judge this guy based on one poticial speech, where he raises his voice.
@ Texas Teacher....
I pray, for the children in Texas, that you are not a teacher, but just use that as a screen name.
How has the Democratic Party done since Howard Dean was in charge of the DNC??? He is personally responsible for 8 years of Bush.
I'm glad to see Dean in the running for something. His knowledge and abilities demand this admin's respect. He deserves to be running something.
And as far as bad party chairs, just look at your own, Republicans. Dean definitely contributed to the Dems current majority.
I don't like Dean, I don't like the idea of patronage, but I do believe he probably deserves it after the work he did for his party in the last election. . . . and he can't do too much damage there.
Even now, some of us still want to play the game the same old way. It is so hard to teach old dogs new tricks. If we are serving for the good of the nation, we can work with folks who are not like us. If we cannot support one who has done so much for the party, how do we ever hope to create a working bipartisanship?
Dr. Dean U have my vote! Doc, Gov, and DNC Winner!
Obama should instead appoint the doctor that provided those Oxycontin prescriptions to that fat, retarded right-wing radio show host.