Gov. Kathleen Sebelius to be Obama's HHS Nominee

In what will be widely seen as a snub of former DNC Chair Howard Dean, a medical doctor, President Obama has reportedly decided on Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as Health & Human Services Secretary, per the New York Times.

(UPDATE - In the four hours since this was written, the NYT watered down its headline from Sebelius "Is Top Choice" to "Seems a Top Choice.")

Sebelius was elected Governor of red-state Kansas in 2002, and reelected by wide margin in 2006. She has held state elective office since 1986, including an eight-year stint as Kansas State Insurance Commissioner.

She has no training in medical, social work or related fields, though, and as a moderate-to-centrist governor, has made no significant inroads in providing healthcare for uninsured Kansans.

In contrast, Dean, a progressive liberal who reportedly was interested in the HHS position, has been a licensed physician for more than 30 years, and is actively engaged in the national debate over health care issues. Dean quietly stepped down as DNC Chair last month when Obama replaced him with Gov. Tim Kaine of Virginia.

However, Gov. Sebelius is known as a capable, efficient manager, necessary attributes for the head of the sprawling HHS agency. And she possesses the all-important respectful rapport with the President.... something independent-minded Dean apparently does not have.

To learn much more about Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, read Profile of Kathleen Sebelius, Governor of Kansas.

And while you're at it, read about the former Vermont governor at Profile of Gov. Howard Dean, Former Democratic Party Chair.

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