Conyers: Gupta Anti-Universal Care
Kinda like a deal-breaker for me. Buried at the end of The Hill’s article everyone is citing on the Conyers vs. Gupta vs. Moore skirmish over the trial balloon set up to test reaction of a proposed nomination of the CNN correspondent/brain surgeon as Surgeon General is a one sentence shoe-flinging message of mass distraction:
“Conyers contends that Gupta is against universal healthcare coverage.”
This tidbit was also something thrown away at the end of an interview with Rep. Conyers (D-MI) on the Bill Press Show, (mp3 link).
There’s a lot to say in favor of the Gupta appointment — the ability to translate complicated medical/political issues to the public in an engaging and informative manner ranks right near the top. Gupta has that skill set in spades. As deserving as Howard Dean is of a plum position like this, Gupta is a better communicator — if he’s communicating the right message.
Jane Hamsher notes that Dean himself (via Sam Stein) says Gupta is already performing much of the same tasks the Surgeon General is required — “explaining medical issues of public concern in a manner that the public could understand.”
Until I heard that Gupta was not in favor of universal health care (my number one issues since Bush The Elder’s administration) I just chalked this kerfluffle up to circular firing squad between members of a Michigan Militia (Gupta is a UofM alum, Moore a UofM drop-out and Conyers is from Detroit). Now I think it matters, big time.
If we had a better media, the question would have already be asked of Doctor Gupta. As it is, in our celebrity obsessed, gossip/conflict centric media, a fundamental question like his support of the PEOTUS’s policy agenda has been lost in the shuffle of fluff.
So, is Conyers just talking through his hat, making stuff up or drawing conclusions from Gupta’s bone-headed challenge of Moore’s movie Sicko (for which Gupta later apologized); or has even a preliminary inquisition been made of the celebrity doctor by the Obama transition team?
Does Doctor Sanjay Gupta support universal health care? It’s a simple question. It should have been the very first thing anybody asked.
Hey, even if he wasn’t a big supporter of Obama’s plan to reinvent the medical industry, as long as he pledges to get behind the President Elect’s plan now he’s a way better pick than Dr. Phil or Dr. Laura. I’m just saying.
Howard Dean would have been a far better choice. But Dean gets no respect these days despite being the prophet who presaged the redrawing of the electoral map.
So here’s my compromise pick: Dr. Mehmet Oz. He’s easily Gupta’s match in “explaining medical issues of public concern in a manner that the public could understand.”
Dr. Oz is one of those people for whom I will stop what I’m doing — any time — to listen to what they have to say. He’s articulate, he’s genial, he’s telegenic, he has a sunny disposition and he’s smart as hell. And he has an open mind.
Bonus points: Dr. Oz is a Muslim and would be quite the role model.
And, unlike Gupta, I doubt Oz would be dumb enough to get into a pissing contest with anyone, let alone Michael Moore who apparently kicked Gupta’s ass.
P.S. Drs. Phil and Laura aren’t MDs.
Having been punked by the wise one more than once, I’ve got to go with Obama on this. Dean deserves everything Obama and the party can provide but I think Gupta makes for a friendlier messenger to the great unwashed (Dean is a pitbull, which is just one of the reasons I like him as a Democratic partisan). And I seriously doubt that Gupta will be making policy under an Obama Administration.
Agreed Shep. My first reaction to Gupta stands — perfect messenger. But only if his heart is in it — cuz that will come across in the message. I wanna hear the words, from the Doctor himself, that he believes UH is the best thing for the nation.
See, while Dascel at HHS will lead the policy charge, and the head of the CDC, NIH and FDA are more influential within the administration, but people listen to their SG. I can’t think off-hand who the various HHS secretaries were over the years, but I remember C.Everett.Koop. And Koop said smokes are bad for ya.
“I can’t think off-hand who the various HHS secretaries were over the years, but I remember C.Everett.Koop. And Koop said smokes are bad for ya.”
I remember Joycelyn Elders for telling us what’s good for ya. Go figure.
My point exactly.