Who will be the new Secretary for HHS? No word on whether Governor Sibelius is interested. Even if so, she might need a couple of years to get the hang of Congress. Dr. Dean has a lot of naysayers. John Podesta, the Obama Transition Chief of Staff is seen as ready to move on the issue, but I’m not hearing much more on his name a week later.

Personally, my choice of a surprise candidate would be Ahnold! Seriously. Governor Schwarzenegger is a moderate Republican, married to Ted Kennedy’s niece, whose recent health system plan was patterned very much like Massachusetts, the Obama principles, and the Baucus plan. With Senator Gregg’s resignation, the President needs another R member of the Cabinet. Arnold’s smart. And who could better strong arm the Congress, grab the public’s attention, and have some real-world experience with how tough this is than Arnold? Start the rumor campaign.

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