Gotta Love that SANJAY GUPTA for GS pick! Gotta Love OBAMA!

[FrenchieCat]

The Gupta guy works for CNN and has been for quite sometime. He is quite the media fellow. Has been to Iraq operating on soldiers and everything. If CNN could name him as one of their Heroes for their Hero Program thingie, they would. He has been their star doctor with television "specials" and everything! Everything he says, as far as CNN is concerned is the health Gospel.

Now, Gupta will be working for the Government representing the Barack Obama administration. When he says something on CNN, they'll have to agree. CNN can't pan Obama's health Care Reform Plan, or else they will be throwing their reputation into the wastebasket.....as the person who is touting it is their very own star doctor/hero. The other channels don't really have a doctor, so they ain't got shit to say.

Check! :rofl:

[MessiahRp]

1. The same Gupta that looked like an ass attacking Michael Moore over Sicko?

No thanks.

Rp

[olkaz]

82. You're supposed to forget about that.

It's all about how he operated on a soldier in Iraq and is periodically on CNN.

/sigh

Figurehead or no, this is a joke.

[HughMoran]

89. That was the one time he really lost me

Fortunately I have a brain and it remembers all of the previously good information he's provided me over the years.

I refuse to condemn people based on one bad event in their lives.

You've basically damned all of the Democratic Party including Obama with your "one mistake and I hate you" attitude.

No thanks.

[Roxy66]

94. I lost all respect for the guy after that...what a dick

[LittleClarkie]

101. Michael Moore isn't God

People should be allowed to disagree with him without it making them shit.

[HughMoran]

109. Michael Moore is God

How dare you say otherwise!

[LittleClarkie]

110. Sorry. He's been demoted to Moses.

Didn't you hear?

[MessiahRp]

111. No but neither is big Pharma and HMOs... however Gupta chooses to worship them

Not a good sign for the American public when the Surgeon General is a kiss up to Pharmaceutical companies and HMOs.

Rp

[uberllama42]

123. The issue isn't that Gupta called out Michael Moore

It's that he was completely wrong when he did so. CNN ran this supposed fact-check segment after Sicko came out saying that the movie was full of holes, but every single point Gupta made could easily be disproven by anyone with The Google and fifteen minutes to burn. The most embarrassing incident was when Gupta criticized the movie for making Cuba seem like a Communist utopia and covering up the fact that the WHO actually ranks Cuba below the United States in overall health care. CNN went so far as to pull a shot of the WHO list from the movie but delete Cuba from the shot to make it seem like Moore was being dishonest.

The last thing we need in this country is a surgeon general who is willing to go on national TV, lie about the quality of US health care and defame its critics as left-wing nutbags.

[Cha]

116. Yeah, the same fucker but unless

you're in a campaign writing to the Obama Team about getting someone else for Surgeon General and it succeeds we get Sanjay so the OP is looking at the pros.

Edit~ and here are some ways to contact Obama..
http://www.ehow.com/how_2352363_contact-barack-obama.html

[Starbucks Anarchist]

119. Moore told people to vote Nader over Gore.

Fuck him.

[TheDonkey]

2. The Gupta nom if it comes would be one of the smartest that he'd have made imo

I hope it works out that way.

[Cash_thatswhatiwant]

3. he's really cute too!

[Clio the Leo]

5. He's no Fareed Zakaria! :-) NT

[FrenchieCat]

11. True dat!

[Jennicut]

14. Fareed has my heart.

I love that man.

[FrenchieCat]

21. Aye.... Quite the impressive chap!

with the best hour on CNN without doubt.

[Clio the Leo]

85. And that intervnew he did with Barack.....

... that was 30 fun filled minutes of good old-fashioned mutual appreciation. Two sexy boys having a deep, intellectual conversation about the meaning of life.

You can't beat it.

[WCGreen]

23. Great book..

Explaining the coming multi-polar world in simple to grasp language and ideas...

[Jennicut]

25. Yup. He is very intelligent. I felt bad after the Mumbai attacks happened

He had to fight back the tears when he came on the air, his Mom worked at the hotel where some of the attacks happened but was okay.

[WCGreen]

28. I remember that...

He is a good man...

And he is funny on the daily show as well..

[Clio the Leo]

4. THANK YOU Barack.....

... for getting the man off of my Sunday and Saturday morning news!!!!

For cryin' out loud do they have to show the SAME thing at the SAME time on BOTH days!!!

[NYC_SKP]

6. He'll be visible, Nobody can name any SG since Jocelyn Elders.

For obvious reasons, BushCo didn't care if anything was done with that post.

Gupta works for me, for the CNN reasons you cite but also because he'll be able to message to the people effectively.

Health care proponents should be pleased with this pick.

[merh]

17. that's not true, there was C. Everett Koop

How can anyone forget Koop.


;)

[FrenchieCat]

24. all the folks who weren't paying attention till after 1989?

I don't think that anyone under the age of 35 has a clue about Koop. :shrug:

[merh]

31. I couldn't tell you who is the SG now.

Koop always reminded me of Captain Kangaroo - I think it was the coat he wore. Is that a requirement of the office?

[FrenchieCat]

34. Yes. I think the Surgeon General really has a Rank......

Must have something to do with the history of the position.

[merh]

40. I just looked it up, it appears to be the uniform

and Gupta will look good in the uniform.

[Hekate]

121. Afaik, Koop was the first SG in years to actually wear the military uniform that goes w the office

I remember the media comments at how surprised people were that he did it.

That and the beard made him stand out in a crowd.

Hekate

[NYC_SKP]

27. Koop came before Elders.

Koop was Reagan's, Jocelyn was picked by Clinton, and then fired by him too for suggesting that masturbation could be taught as a way of discouraging sex between kids.

I thought the firing was entirely unfair.

[merh]

29. I recall

the wink >>> ;) was meant to reflect that I was being facetious

[NYC_SKP]

30. I'm lame....

missed it! doh!

[merh]

33. No sweat

:hi:

[spiritual_gunfighter]

92. C. Everett Koop is a jack ass

I worked at a hotel he stayed at and he had me running around doing all these errands for him all day long and was a total jerk the whole time and didn't tip me. Fuck that guy.

[Hekate]

118. Koop had the good grace to go with the evidence on legal abortion not harming women...

... while he was still in office. In doing so he publicly went against his president's desire to pander to the RW.

Sorry he was personally a jerk. I could tell you similar stories about men I've worked for--truly lacking in social skills to their subordinates, but they did the job they were hired to do quite well. I'm not excusing rudeness, but at least knowing that made me understand why they still had those jobs.

In Koop's case he risked his own position to speak truth on a hot-button issue, and as a pro-choice woman I remember him for that.

Hekate

[Terran]

137. I can't quite see cute little Sanjay

in that military uniform the SG has to wear at all times. Not his style.

[nevergiveup]

7. This could be one of his better appointments

The guy is a class act and he is actually knows something about health care. It is difficult not to be impressed if you read his bio.

[redstate_democrat]

8. I'm glad that you've figured all of this out.

[firedupdem]

9. I like him. He'll do fine in that position. He's well respected. n/t

[Hanse]

10. He's pissing off all the right people.

:thumbsup:

[cboy4]

12. FrenchieCat once again apologizing for Obama

Check!

[FrenchieCat]

15. That's me. Better a lover than a hater....expecially when not required.

Means I have no Wrinkles at 50! :rofl:

[firedupdem]

16. And there's no need for an apology when Barack isn't sorry! n/t

Great happy picture by the way!

[FrenchieCat]

18. Thanks! That was taken a few months back on my 50th Birthday!

I'm not apologizing for the guy who doesn't walk on water.
Just combating the nasties and the sourpusses with a wink and a smile.
8 years is too long to be down, grumpy and on the outs. :)

[Greyskye]

108. There is NO way that you're 50 in that pic!

40 maybe, be 50? Get outta here! :hi:

[FrenchieCat]

113. Love your compliment,

But yes....I'm 50 years old in that Pic, and have been married for 25 years come September.
I'm biracial and may have inherited the "Black don't crack" gene from my Dad. :rofl:

[Uzybone]

32. Much better to love than to hate

too have optimism than to be down in the dumps. Especially when we seem to be on the verge of something great. Its certainly done wonders for you. Very nice pic.

[thewiseguy]

38. My best friends are the ones who criticize me not those who compliment me no matter what

[FrenchieCat]

43. Good for you.

My best friends are those who don't shit on every move I make. They are usually happy for me,
and not crossing their fingers hoping I fall on my face. I like that about them.
I also wish them well!

[thewiseguy]

45. We are not shitting on Obama. I still love him.

That does not mean I am going to praise his every move.

[FrenchieCat]

46. Cool!

I'm wishing him well, regardless of whether I like it "all" or not. After all his success will mean success for many Americans as well.

[DevonRex]

87. You have a lot of credibility in my opinion. When you criticize him

I know it's coming from a good place. I don't agree with you all the time, but that's fine. You're a good dem, IMO, who wants the best for us.

Of course, this has nothing to do with the discussion at hand. Just thought I'd tell you that.

:hi:

[TahitiNut]

39. Zowie.

:blush:

[Fran Kubelik]

83. beautiful!

[NatBurner]

95. um...

rowr

[Number23]

143. Preach it, girl! You are cracking me up!!

:rofl: :rofl:

I'd LOVE to see what some of these haters around here look like.

You know what?? On second thought, scratch that... :)

I'm not 50 but I'm 37 and am forever mistaken for being in my 20's. That probably also explains why when I go out with my 2-year old, sometimes I get the "side-eye" from folks. :rofl:

[Bluebear]

49. EVERYTHING is FABULOUS!

[FrenchieCat]

53. It could be a whole lot worse......

And again, Primaries have consequences.
Obama did not morph into the candidate you originally supported...
so he's not going to do everything that you like.
You can say so, and of course you do every chance you get,
but the point is there are no surprises here,
only an excuse for those who were dogging Barack during the primaries,
to continue now that he got McCain out of the way.

Plus, that's a unicorn but I ordered a pony! :wtf:

[Sebastian Doyle]

55. I used to think primaries had consequences

until all these Clinton flunkies started showing up in Obama's cabinet. Now it seems like we lost the primary.

[FrenchieCat]

57. Was Obama supposed to get all of his people from outside of Government?

Did you really expect him to pick unexperienced people in our time of dire need and said..."Look, I've changed every single thing there is to change?"

Anyone who worked at some point during the 8 years of Clinton's administration was supposed to be blackballed? Does that really make any reasonable sense? Does it really?

[Sebastian Doyle]

58. What I expected was CHANGE from the polices of the last 28 years

Mainly the foreign policy and the economic policy. And the DLC are just as wrong in those areas as the Repukes are.

People think we should applaud and cheer because the energy secretary actually believes in science, or that the labor secretary actually comes from a pro labor background, but really, these things would be expected of ANY Democratic administration.

It's the foreign policy and the economic policies that are looking like the same old shit. Wall Street Whores running the economy. Literally the same bastard in charge of defense. More neocons at state, under the thumb of Queen Obliteration herself.

If we don't reverse the very things that have caused this country to go to Hell in a handbasket for the last 28 years, then how do we survive?

[FrenchieCat]

59. You expected change 14 days before inauguration......?

That's convenient.

Sounds kind of like fast food.


Here's what I heard.....

The road ahead will be long. Our climb will be steep. We may not get there in one year or even in one term. But, America, I have never been more hopeful than I am tonight that we will get there.

I promise you, we as a people will get there.

There will be setbacks and false starts. There are many who won't agree with every decision or policy I make as president. And we know the government can't solve every problem.

But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And, above all, I will ask you to join in the work of remaking this nation, the only way it's been done in America for 221 years -- block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.

This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were.

In this country, we rise or fall as one nation, as one people. Let's resist the temptation to fall back on the same partisanship and pettiness and immaturity that has poisoned our politics for so long.

Let's remember that it was a man from this state who first carried the banner of the Republican Party to the White House, a party founded on the values of self-reliance and individual liberty and national unity.

Those are values that we all share. And while the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress.
http://edition.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/obama.transcript/

[Sebastian Doyle]

60. I expect nominees that are SANE and capable of a different direction

If you know who funded Hillary's primary campaign (let alone her comments toward Iran) then you know she is the LAST person we need in the Middle East right now. And I don't expect things to look any better 14 days from now.

That's just one example, but it's the most obvious. This being a Gupta thread, he's also someone that seems to be the very antithesis of change, as evidenced by his attack on Michael Moore and his excellent documentary, "Sicko"

Yeah, I know.... "But Obama didn't campaign on single payer health care".

So what? It's what the PEOPLE want. It's what the PEOPLE deserve. It's what Harry Truman intended for this country 60 god damned years ago, and it is way past due.

And if Obama wants to know how to pay for it, I'll be more than happy to tell him.

Start with ending our involvement in ANY middle eastern country, especially the three that start with the letter "I".

[FrenchieCat]

62. Yeah, OK. Continue to demand that Obama fulfill your wishes that he didn't run on.

Indeed, you are about to experience 8 more unhappy years.

I've decided that at this stage in my life, I'm not going to demand what was never proposed....as I am too old to waste 8 more years. I'm only going to demand that Obama fulfills those things he said he would make happen that could make my life better.....but of course, not perfect.

[Sebastian Doyle]

66. I don't think it's too much to ask

To undo the last 28 years of global fascism and the systematic destruction of the American middle class.

End the occupations. End the "tax cuts" to rich leeches who don't pay taxes in the first place. Restore living wage jobs in America.

Is that not just basic common sense?

[FrenchieCat]

67. Yeah......demanding and damning 14 days before his inauguration

and acting like he's already failed is too much to ask and anyone believing otherwise is not reasonable or even sane.

How can he be expected to succeed if folks have their foot all up his ass before he can even get sworn in? But Please, don't let that stop you. I'd hate to distract you from your forecasted continuing unhappiness.

[pnorman]

68. "....to heal the divides that have held back our progress."

Those words still lingers in my mind, and gives me much HOPE after these 8 LONG years! Thanks for posting that here.

pnorman

[dmallind]

78. Which is strange

because Obama was very clear that he was offering change from Bush, not from all that went before him. And anybody who wants change from the 23 million new jobs, millions out of poverty, balanced budgets and American prestige of the Clinton era is certifiable.

[HughMoran]

91. Feelin' a but snarky are we?

It's been intereting seeing the early reactions to out soon-to-be President.

I'm somewhat surprised at the lack of patience and/or confidence of many - very dissapoitning.

[Bluebear]

Sorry to dissapoit. :)

It's not so much the soon-to-be President, but this attitude that every move he makes must be greeted with elation and not criticized or examined.

[HughMoran]

103. I'm actually somewhere in the middle

I'm not able to know how these appointments will work out under Obama's direction, so it's too early for me to judge. I can say "this aspect of this person gives me pause", but not much more. I can't comprehend the vitriol of some who seem to know how a very confident pragmatist will deal with his people. Barack Obama is the President, not his minions. I tend to give him the benefit of the doubt, unless and until we start seeing issues with an appointment, at which point I think he is allowed to fire them and replace them. I knew my typo would be picked up on DU as that is what we do here, so I left it in without editing it - lol. You left the "n" out though - it was a simple transposition IIRC (typing in bed can be problematic :) )

[Bluebear]

104. I can pick on your typos

because you are NOT a hughmoran :)

[HughMoran]

105. Yes, my name is undoubtably not "Hugh"

The weather sucks today - is it raining on the coast?

[Bluebear]

138. sorry for the delay, we had freezing rain/ice all day

Power went off three times, i thought "here we go again" but it did stay on eventually

[HughMoran]

141. It started raining/freezing rain just an hour ago and my outside thermometer says 24F

I was thinking Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!

[HughMoran]

90. Haven't you become quite the stick in the mud lately.

My my, you really are angry this past week.

It's not worth it - trust me.

[ruggerson]

13. the last one I liked was Jocelyn Elders

and look what they did to her.

[Puzzler]

19. It'll probably shut Blitzer up...

... he f**kin' worships Gupta.

[FrenchieCat]

20. Blitzer was stammering today.....

Talking about how CNN was honored!

[redstate_democrat]

22. "Cnn honored"

Oh gawd.

[FrenchieCat]

26. You know that CNN has a biggo giant ego......

They congratulate themselves over and over again all of the time.

"We were again voted Best Political Team in the Universe"....they will stop and say in wonderment.

[pnwmom]

35. Once again, Obama has taken an influential potential critic

and turned him into an ally.

Me thinks there is a method to his madness.

[firedupdem]

36. he just might be kinda smart!

[Enthusiast]

72. He's a corporate shill!

He's a spokesman for the pharmaceutical and insurance industries. I think this choice sucks, BIG TIME.

[blendermax]

56. I don't know about turning him into an ally

from what I heard Gupta seems to be strongly opposed to universal healthcare.

though I suppose putting this guy under Obama's control would prevent him from going on CNN every night and trashing Obama's attempts in the near future to reform or 'universalize' the healthcare system, if that's the intent. Though it certainly won't prevent a dozen other media pundits from trashing him if they so choose, so in the end I don't see much point in being able to silence just one of them.

[pnwmom]

65. But who better than Gupta to answer those media pundits?

For all we know, his previous employers required him to take the stands on universal medical care that he has been taking. Until proven otherwise, I'm expecting him to be a strong advocate now for Obama's plans.

[berni_mccoy]

37. Well, there is certainly a silver lining there.

[defendandprotect]

41. Pitiful. . . .

[FrenchieCat]

44. Please do not pity my op.....

as it is not required. :eyes:

[defendandprotect]

126. I pity the appointment . . .

and presumed your OP was sarcasm . . . was it not?

If W had done this, we'd be laughing our heads off -- !!!

[leftofthedial]

42. Marcus Welby is too old, I guess.

What about House?

He's way more popular than Gupta.

[Occam Bandage]

47. That seems to be the story of his cabinet: co-opt your rivals, both in politics and in the media.

Make it so they have to support you, or come off looking like a fraud.

[FrenchieCat]

54. Think Lieberman will be thinking about that when he has a choice

to vote for or against an Obama bill?

Me thinks so. :)

[BlooInBloo]

48. The only real benefit I see is that when Obama rolls out his healthcare plan....

There will be one less media guy to lie about it.

[Raineyb]

124. Well that is the silver lining in what is otherwise a rather large cloud.

Regards

[CaliforniaPeggy]

50. K&R, my dear FrenchieCat!

[eridani]

51. Except that Michael Moore was 100% right about everything in SiCKO

--and Gupta was an ignorant jackass. Fuck insurance companies and their shills!

[FrenchieCat]

52. Well, single payer was not proposed during the election......

including by all but one during the primaries....and that one didn't win.

[eridani]

61. It's also the only solution to health care that requires no extra money

Here's a clue--the Rethugs are absolutely opposed to anything he proposes in that area no matter what it is, so why not go for the solution that requires no more money from a seriously strapped government?

[FrenchieCat]

63. Obama did not run on Single Payer health......

he really didn't....but he understands why you would want it.

In fact, here is what Obama says about that:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7wTDK-LwqE&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnLFdVt9egA&feature=related

[eridani]

71. If enough people harass him about it, he may see the light

I agree that there is hardly any point to getting insurance companies united behind you iw you are campaigning, but once elected it would pay to look at the best solutions.

Every dime stripped from insurance parasites and put into green infrastructure makes the success of that particular stimulus much more likely.

I am going to keep screaming and hollering to get more people to "make him do it."

http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/archive/200811/20081105_belafonte.html

Belafonte: Well, I'd like to be able to embrace that kind of optimistic enthusiasm, but I would suggest that we view all of this with an important amount of caution. I'm reminded of something that Eleanor Roosevelt once told a group of us at a dinner. It was when she had first introduced A. Philip Randolph, a great labor leader back in the 1930s up to and including the civil rights movement.

And she introduced him to Franklin Delano Roosevelt for the first time at a dinner, and Roosevelt beseeched him to please tell him what he thought of the nation, what he thought of the plight of the Negro people and what did he think - where the nation was headed.

And A. Philip Randolph held forth and spoke eloquently on his thoughts, and at the end of it Roosevelt said to him, "You know, Mr. Randolph, I've heard everything you've said tonight, and I couldn't agree with you more. I agree with everything that you've said, including my capacity to be able to right many of these wrongs and to use my power and the bully pulpit." He said, "But I would ask one thing of you, Mr. Randolph, and that is go out and make me do it."

[lamp_shade]

64. Great choice, Obama. I couldn't be more pleased.

[StClone]

69. This is the longest Facetious reply chain ever.

What about Dr. House? I hate him.

[EraOfResponsibility]

70. I'm afraid he'll try to talk Obama out of Universal Healthcare

other than that, I could care less.

[PuraVidaDreamin]

73. What other TV talking heads could he award cabinet positions too?

You could have a point?

[LynneSin]

79. Surgeon General is NOT a cabinet position - it's more of a PR job

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Cabinet

[Bluenorthwest]

86. Anyone who knows about the role of Dr Koop

during the early days of the AIDS crisis knows that it is far more than a PR job. Histroy exists, and some of us lived it. And even if you wish to portray it as PR, what is selected to be spun for the public is as important as any decision.
Koop wrote the first official report on AIDS, and brought to an end a multi-year silence on the part of the Reagan administration. His report helped draw down the utter panic that was going on- many forget that houses were burned and small children shunned in the early days of the disease. Had Koop not spoken, or taken a politicized turn on his report, there would have been even more needless suffereing and death.
Public Relations regarding life and death information can be about as important as any task a person can face.
Trust is very important. Gupta is a man who is known to say untrue things in order to support his point of view. Millions have seen him do so, and checked the facts. In a real health crisis, Gupta's reputation as less than honest will not be an asset.

[LostinVA]

97. Yup, AIDS and tobacco

He wasn't quite the GOP shill Reagan wanted. He was a decent guy with morals and ethics.

Gupta's lying about "Sicko" is very disturbing to me.

[NashVegas]

107. Thanks For Writing That

I was pretty sure there was a reason I respected Koop, even though I was a smoker.

[Ganja Ninja]

74. No I don't gotta love it.

This was a perfect opportunity to reach out to the base and find someone with favorable views on Marijuana. Looks like Obama has given the base the back of his hand on this one.

[LostinVA]

98. At least Medical Cannabis

Pot is NOT an addictive, dangerous drug. Unlike alcohol, tobacco, and lots of Big Pharma script drugs. I quit smoking it because I didn't feel like getting arrested for something like that, but ether is NO REASON for it to be illegaly, and it's morally and ethically CRIMINAL for anyone to say medical cannabis should be illegal.

[Politicub]

75. I'm starting to come around on Gupta

My gut reaction yesterday was to roll my eyes based on Gupta's past experience of being a corporate shill. But the more I've thought about this, Gupta's mediagenic presence will be an important asset as Obama begins to roll out his health care plans. I think something big will be coming from Obama in re: to health care reform, and it will take an army of great media spokespersons to accurately communicate the idea to the American people and blunt the criticism of the advocates of the status quo. I can't think of anyone more qualified to do this than Gupta.

Are there more qualified physicians out there? Probably so, but none of which have been invited into Americans' living rooms to the degree that Gupta has. And, CNN remains to be an important media outlet for millions - agree with them or not - and as you pointed out, what better way to do this than take one of their own for the administration.

Gupta is extremely popular with the mainstream. We can't discount this aspect of his appointment. I'm excited about what's to come.

[Phoonzang]

76. Yes it was a very Machiavellian move by Obama......I approve. nt

[LynneSin]

77. Surgeon General is a PR position but here's another smart move I think....

As you know Bobby Jindal is contimplating running for US President in 2010. I think Sanjay Gupta is a highly visible, well known pick and also an Indian American who hasn't hidden his roots (Americanizing his name like Jindal has). Gupta has an appeal to middle america and to the growing Indian population here in this country.

It's not a job that writes policy - more of a PR job of "Stay healthy by doing these healthy things". I am concerned about what Gupta did about Michael Moore's film but I'm willing to give this guy a chance. It's not like he couldn't be replaced.

[endarkenment]

80. Perhaps then Rush Limbaugh ought to be his press secretary.

That would be double secret brilliant.

[Barack_America]

81. Frenchie, even you don't love this pick as much as you're letting on.

At least I don't think you do.

I don't know if I'm disappointed in Obama for this pick or just disappointed in what it reveals about our country (screw bonafides, Gupta's on the TV, so he must be an expert)

[JaneQPublic]

84. Obama recognizes the role of star power

"Star power," I believe, was partly the reason for choosing Hillary for Sec. of State, as well. People who are widely well known and well liked tend to get a head start and the benefit of the doubt by the people they're trying to influence.

While I sided with Michael Moore against Gupta in their debate, I still think Gupta may well be a pretty sly choice as Surgeon General (although Howard Dean was my personal favorite).

Gupta would be able to bring greater visibility to public health issues and influence personal health choices, simply because the public and the media are already used to turning to him for information and advice.

[K Gardner]

88. You've got a couple of good points, Frenchie. Gupta makes me nauseaous and has for quite some

time. This is a hard one for me to swallow, BUT.. when I think about the Median Health I.Q. of the Average American, I understand that Obama needs someone to sell them his plans whom they are familiar with and trust. We ARE a "TV Society". So in that you make a good point.

What rankles me is that someone with such huge deficits in ethics and integrity and such a history of lying for big pharma/corporations, has been rewarded with a HUGE stage. Sanjay may not be able to make payments on his Jag with the cut in pay. He may not be able to keep up the lifestyle to which he has become accustomed on the pay of a civil servant. No doubt, he's hoping this appointment will spike book sales, or maybe he'll just write another book or another TV Series.. "Gupta Goes to Washington".

I think he's a cheap opportunist. I hope he grows a spine, rearranges his priorities, and doesn't screw over Obama and the American People.

I do remain hopeful :-)

[Alcibiades]

93. To think, they slammed Obama as a celebrity

Gupta really is a celebrity. It reminds me of a moment in Franken's movie where he is hobnobbing with republicans, and he says something about how they were nice to him because the only thing more powerful than politics in the US is celebrity, and he's been on television. Because of this, he'll sail through the Senate.

I don't watch enough television to judge him, but, from what I've seen, he's not that smart for a physician.

What really gets my goat is that so many folks who hate Obama because of baggage from the primary are also attacking him on Gutpa, when Gutpa was an adviser to none other than Hillary Clinton.

[Phx_Dem]

96. Check and mate. I think Gupta's a great choice.

The dustup over Moore's documentary is a sideshow. Much ado about nothing.

If being wrong about something disqualifies you for work, nobody would be employed. Progressives are just pissed because Gupta got into a pissing contest with Michael Moore. I like Michael Moore and think he does a great service with his documentaries, but I couldn't give a shit who disagrees with him or dislikes him. As I have previously stated, progressives have been pissed about pretty-much everything Obama has done, or not done, since he was elected. This is just one more notch in their belt. Yawn.

AmericaBlog's John Aravosis is pissed, claiming that Obama's cabinet is not diverse because he didn't appoint any openly gay cabinet members. It doesn't matter than he has one, possibly 2 openly gay members on his staff and is considering an openly gay man for Secretary of the Navy (which is huge!). Nor does having women, hispanics, Asians, African Americans qualify his cabinet for diversity. Nope. Apparently, only open gay people can create diversity. What a bunch of whiny-ass crap.

[Bluebear]

102. 'Apparently, only open gay people can create diversity.' - What a shitty thing to say.

'What a bunch of whiny-ass crap.' - thanks for being an ally.

[Phx_Dem]

128. It's called sarcasm, look it up.

I was, very clearly, criticizing Aravosis for whining that Obama's cabinet is not diverse because it doesn't include any gays. I obviously disagree with that, hence the sarcasm.

I am an ally and strong supporter of gay rights, but I am not a supporter of anyone (gay or straight) who complaines about everyfuckingthing. At some point, you have to choose your battles.

If that upsets you, sorry.

[IsItJustMe]

99. It is a great choice from a public relations standpoint. Agreed.

[Vinca]

100. I think Gupta will be a good mouthpiece and he'll probably be okay

as long as he interprets what Obama wants to accomplish. I was unhappy with his coverage of "Sicko," but given the short attention span of the population, maybe a known figure is better than an obscure one.

[Fading Captain]

106. That is such an asinine analysis

Who gives a shit was CNN says?
And what makes you think CNN simply can't say, "Well, Mr. Gupta doesn't appear to thinking rationally anymore?"

[FrenchieCat]

112. You have the right to your opinion, and I won't even call it

Asinine....

There are million who watch CNN....even if you don't give a shit.
When it is time to pass healthcare reform,
the media, as it did in 1993 could be a player,
even if they aren't as potent as they were then.
Obama lining his ducks all in a row is encouraging, but of course,
we all know that the SG position ain't all that Key, one way or another,
but I don't believe it is a bad idea, that if there is gonna be one,
might as well get a media friendly one, since that's what they do; PR presentations!

As for what CNN will say, certainly they can disown someone that they held up as their health guru,
but that cynical move would make their motives much more transparent in doing so.....

Bottomline is that Surgeon General ain't quite as important as most would want it to be as of this moment, and I'm kind of tired that so many smart people here would pretend otherwise.

Guess I have a right to that opinion, asinine or otherwise.

I do thank you for you input though.

[flvegan]

114. Making Nancy Grace Attorney General would be a devastating 1-2 knockout!

Ding ding!

:eyes:

[bullwinkle428]

117. Meh...I was actually thinking more along the lines of "Judge Judy" -

after all, Judith Sheindlin was a real-life judge before turning into a larger-than-life TV character!

[Critters2]

125. Yeah, but she's syndicated. Frenchie wants the cable news folks behind Obama,

so the next choice should come from Fox.

[LostinVA]

129. Catherine Crier -- also a judge and liberal

[flvegan]

131. Appoint a liberal?

Are you insane? You've got the wrong Pres-Elect there, muchacha.

[LostinVA]

133. I know -- but, she is kinda cute!

[flvegan]

134. Yeah, we all know what YOUR cabinet would look like.

Friggin' girls' beach volleyball team.

:eyes:

[LostinVA]

135. Angelina Jolie could be Head of Immigration

Ashley Judd, Natalie Portman.... too bad Kate Winslet is British, I'd make her VP.

You know you'd love MY Cabinet.

[flvegan]

136. By the time you were done, Bill Clinton would be a saint in comparison.

I just want to be WH staff so I could watch the debauchery.

[LostinVA]

142. Maybe as White House Photographer?

[Cha]

115. I so thought

of that. What a world.

[grantcart]

120. I agree with all the criticism of Gupta - I also suspect that he will do well as SG

I think we are going to see that one of Obama's hidden talents is to be able to see certain qualities in people that can be re engineered for higher purpose - what I call the "Earl Warren" phenomenon.

I think he should be asked tough questions during his hearing.

When confirmed I expect him to do a great service by serving a higher principle.

[Maru Kitteh]

122. I think that the selection of Dr. Gupta will have it's advantages.

And I hadn't really thought about the angle you present here.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

127. I love how it's pissing off the woos.

So far I've ran into one holistic medicine supporter, two anti-gardasil misogynists, and a half-dozen mercury-autism nuts.

[Maru Kitteh]

139. That is a bonus.

[lame54]

130. Fuck this strategy bullshit - pick someone qualified- forget the chess game

[FrenchieCat]

132. He is qualified. That ain't the problem.......

I believe that some just don't agree with his views,
although most won't admit that they didn't give a shit about
the Surgeon General spot till yesterday.

But see, It doesn't take a brain surgeon to become Surgeon General.
Oh yeah, that's right......Gutpa is a Brain Surgeon. :)

Anyways....politics is a fucking chess game, and strategy was exactly how
Obama was elected....and that is something we shouldn't ever forget.

In otherwords, we didn't get to the place where we can bitch and moan about each and everything
that our own does 13 days prior to his inauguration by accident.
Key words = Our Own

[JFKfanforever]

140. Uh, did Obama pick him for his initials? SG for SG?

Joking aside, SG = BP! (Big Pharma)