By AMY HARDER
The Atlantic's Marc Ambinder and Time's Mark Halperin are reporting that Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) may be the choice for Health and Human Services secretary. Ambinder writes that the governor, who is widely known for cutting costs more than pushing for universal health care, is in "serious discussions" with the White House about the position.
Obama would likely face serious pushback on Bredesen from left-leaning groups expecting universal health care legislation early in his administration. Families USA Executive Director Ron Pollack said that Bredesen "presided over the largest public health cutbacks in the history of our nation, and his actions are the antithesis of the president's desired direction for health care reform." How does he compare to Obama's first choice for the job? "He's the polar opposite of Tom Daschle," Pollack said. He added that he found it "very difficult to imagine" Obama picking Bredesen and could not think of any reason why he would.
Pollack mentioned some names that his organization would prefer to see leading the way on health care: Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D), Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland (D) and Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell (D).
Bredesen's Almanac profile is available to subscribers here.
