Some prominent Democrats are talking up former Vermont Governor Howard Dean as secretary of Health and Human Services in the Obama administration.
Now that former U.S. Sen. Tom Daschle has withdrawn from consideration, Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa is among those calling for Obama to appoint Dean to the post.
Harkin tells the Huffington Post that Dean, a physician by training, is strong on wellness and prevention. Other members of Congress are urging Obama to appoint Dean as well.
But Dean famously fought with Rahm Emanuel over Dean’s 50-state strategy when Dean headed the national Democratic Party and Emanuel headed the party’s Congressional Campaign Committee – and Emanuel is now Obama’s White House chief of staff.