HHS post probably won’t come his way, Bredesen tells lawmakers

By GottaLaff

Back story here and here. Let's hope Bredesen's right:

Gov. Phil Bredesen told top legislative leaders this morning that he doesn’t think President Obama will nominate him for the U.S. Health and Human Services secretary position, lawmakers said.

House Democratic Leader Gary Odom of Nashville confirmed that Gov. Bredesen, a Democrat, made the remarks during his weekly meeting with House and Senate leaders.

“It came up during breakfast,” Rep. Odom said. “He basically said he’s expecting to remain governor of the state of Tennessee.” [...]

But Gov. Bredesen has come under fierce attack from liberal health care activists and others for his cuts to TennCare, the state’s version of Medicaid. About 320,000 enrollees have been cut from the program.

On Tuesday, the national liberal group, MoveOn.org, criticized the governor and began circulating an e-mail petition urging the president to nominate a “progressive champion.”

Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville would succeed Gov. Bredesen if the governor were to vacate the office.

Bredesen Hopes Obama Listened to His Speech

By GottaLaff

Original posts about Bredesen here and here. Looks like he wants the job:

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D) -- a possible candidate to become the next Secretary of Health and Human Services -- used his state of the state address to campaign for the job, the Nashville Post reports.

Obama Likely to Split Health Czar Job

Hope that Bredesen guy is shot down fast. It's looking like health care isn't being put on the back burner, no matter what the rumours are. Via Taegan.

Mike Allen hears President Obama "is likely to keep the White House half of Daschle's two-part job. But it will probably be split between two people. And now it could be less of a principal job and more of a super-staffer job."

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D) still seen as the front runner for HHS secretary, followed by Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen (D).

Official: Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius near top for health post

By GottaLaff

Her name keeps coming up on every list I've seen for HHS:

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius was very near the top of President Barack Obama's list of candidates to head the Health and Human Services Department, a senior administration official said Saturday.

The source, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss private administration deliberations, said no decision was imminent. But the official added the former Kansas insurance commissioner was rising as Obama considers prospective candidates. [...]

Her name had been floated for several Cabinet posts, but she announced in early December that she had removed herself from consideration from a Cabinet job, citing Kansas' budget problems that needed her attention. [...]

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen also was on Obama's list to run the nation's massive health programs. Already, though, some advocacy groups were lining up to oppose the Democratic governor.

He remains under consideration, the senior official said.

Developing: Tennessee Governor Bredesen trumps Howard Dean

By GottaLaff

Getty

This is all I could find:

Tennessee Governor Bredesen in line to run HHS after talks with White House officials.

His Wiki.