Romney for health-care czar?
posted at 9:35 pm on February 3, 2009 by Allahpundit
Worth flagging for its sheer audacity.
If Obama wanted to bring Romney into the cabinet, he’d have to balance him by appointing a pro-choicer to a top HHS post because there are so many controversial, sexuality-related programs in that department that apportion money. The thinking here is that Romney would be the White House health care czar and that a Democrat — Gov. Kitzhaber of Oregon, maybe — would move over to Health and Human Services.
What does Romney get out of it? Assuming that Obama’s ship is merely listing now and that the economy has recovered perceptablly, 2012 is not going to be an attractive cycle year for a Republican to run for president. If managerial chops are what’s needed, then Romney’s resume cuts in… something that, again, the GOP didn’t seem to much appreciate in 2008. Like Hillary Clinton, Romney might be willing to trade his political ambition for the chance to do something awesome for the country.
The One’s going to hand the left’s most cherished domestic policy ambition to a guy loathed by progressives for his opportunistic social conservatism? And Mitt’s going to accept, knowing that the right will turn on him viciously for being coopted into the cause of socialized medicine? Is it at all relevant that Romney’s chief qualification for the position has turned into a boondoggle despised by conservatives for its spiraling costs? What am I missing here?
Blowback
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This smacks of the same tactic they used to try to gain the senate by buying any opposition an appointment so that they couldn’t compete with the Obamessiah rule….
DON’T DO IT MITT!!!!!!!
Romney / some good conservative 2012
-Wasteland Man.
WastelandMan on February 3, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Maybe Mitt can Change Obama’s mind about big-government solutions.
Naaahhh.
jgapinoy on February 3, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Never underestimate Obama and his merry men and women.
technopeasant on February 3, 2009 at 9:39 PM
Wha…?
WisCon on February 3, 2009 at 9:40 PM
Who does this benefit?
Mark1971 on February 3, 2009 at 9:40 PM
I don’t see this happening.
At all.
artist on February 3, 2009 at 9:40 PM
I worry that Obama is trying to find Republicans with tax problems to nominate to his Cabinet. Democrats love to play the moral equivalence card.
huckleberryfriend on February 3, 2009 at 9:41 PM
Nahhhhhh.
therightwinger on February 3, 2009 at 9:41 PM
I guess I don’t know what to think on this one, things just keep getting more interesting by the hour in this crazy Barry’s administration.
Something has to be Bush’s fault in all this…
Grafted on February 3, 2009 at 9:41 PM
duh1 stands to gain a little, esp. from his rooting section; mitt stands to gain NOTHING, esp. from HIS rooting section — ergo, good for duh1, bad for mitt, so, for the country’s sake — a non-starter …
/jmo …
Buckaroo on February 3, 2009 at 9:42 PM
Maybe Mitt’s learned his lesson on health care and he’ll enter Obama’s administration as our Trojan Horse. Ike used to complain about appointing Earl Warren to the SCOTUS.
BuckeyeSam on February 3, 2009 at 9:43 PM
Aw, hell, why not? You already can’t tell the players without a program. What’s another cross-cultural cabinet appointment?
uncivilized on February 3, 2009 at 9:43 PM
*head explodes*
No way.
DeathToMediaHacks on February 3, 2009 at 9:44 PM
Hilarious! The last thing Mitt Romney wants anybody in the GOP to remember is his roll in that massive socialistic fiasco in MASS called Romneycare. When Obomber pitches his plan, presumably after the economy stabilizes, Mitt Romeny is going to disappear, b/c our budding Socialist Commander in Chief is going to be mentionining Romneycare frequently!
james23 on February 3, 2009 at 9:47 PM
NO Good conservative will take ANY position in this administration, as it WILL fail in its goals, and the failure MUST be utterly and COMPLETELY at the feet of liberal leftist policies.
Jason Gillman on February 3, 2009 at 9:48 PM
He’s covering his ass imo. As bipartisan support for “The Rip Off” shrinks, he’ll need to pull Repubs to his side for cover and propaganda.
Itchee Dryback on February 3, 2009 at 9:50 PM
i dont believe this one (in the uncredibile way. not the “unbelievable!” way.)
Drunk Report on February 3, 2009 at 9:51 PM
Hopey,extending his hand across the isle,
in true bipartisanship,
look,he wants to have Republicans on board!
Truly,the Liberal Party wants to work,with
the right,
accept for the likes of Rush,Anne,Hannity!
But wait,can it really be!
NO!
Obama is setting up Romney,and any
other Republican
as ‘The Fall Guy’!
Just remember,the Liberals really do love Romney,
because he’s Mormon!
Romney,don’t walk,run like h#ll,
your dealing with lying,coniving,
LIBERAL POLITICAL SNAKES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(Sarc).
canopfor on February 3, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Is AP related to “The Forehead”?
David in ATL on February 3, 2009 at 9:52 PM
Mitt will turn it down and the job will go to Hucklebuck. That’s my prediction and I’m sticking to it.
Percy_Peabody on February 3, 2009 at 9:53 PM
He’d be stupid and crazy to take this. Although with all the looney-bin stuff from the last 2 weeks…. who the hell knows?
maineconservative on February 3, 2009 at 9:55 PM
Obama’s political M.O is eliminating the oppostition.
One at a time…
katy on February 3, 2009 at 9:56 PM
No Republican should tie themselves to this fiasco called the Obama administration.
JellyToast on February 3, 2009 at 9:57 PM
Allahpundit, welcome to my world.
You don’t have to be a Huckabee fan or Mormon hater to question Romney’s convenient conversion to conservatism. Can you imagine any circumstances under which Teh Fred would even consider joining the Obama administration?
Fred/Zo 2012
Terrie on February 3, 2009 at 9:59 PM
Ambinder and Karen Tumulty, together again after that weirdness last week.
They must share a source.
MayBee on February 3, 2009 at 10:06 PM
meh…I’ve never been a Mittwit. Never did trust the guy…
JetBoy on February 3, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Makin’ way for Bobby Jindal!
AeroSpear on February 3, 2009 at 10:10 PM
As far as I know, Mitt pays his taxes, so that would disqualify him…
blue13326 on February 3, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Uh, no. Mitt already screwed up MA’s health care. Leave the rest of the country alone.
SnarkVader on February 3, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Trial balloon………….
………. why not wait until he is actually asked?
Seven Percent Solution on February 3, 2009 at 10:12 PM
He’s not going to be asked. Someone is trying to get something going.
MayBee on February 3, 2009 at 10:15 PM
All I got to say is if Mitt takes that, I will regret ever defending him.
Conservative Voice on February 3, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Romney already knows from his father’s experience that being a President’s flunky is not for him. This sounds like the inane ramblings of a confused mind.
TVHall on February 3, 2009 at 10:18 PM
This is someone just flapping their jaws! NO WAY!
SouthernGent on February 3, 2009 at 10:18 PM
Turn your head and cough
The Ugly American on February 3, 2009 at 10:19 PM
This will never happen. No way does Mitt Romney want anything to do with the Obama debacle.
JA on February 3, 2009 at 10:20 PM
Obama offers him an easy chair, cigars, and all the Johnnie Walker Blue Label he can drink (paid for by the “Stimulus Package,” of course)?
fiatboomer on February 3, 2009 at 10:20 PM
I really really doubt Mitt would consider it, he has little reason to. I would also point out that he was hamstrung by his uber-liberal legislature and came up with a plan that made far more sense than theirs did and they have since distorted the hell out of it.
I know one thing, I would much rather Mitt be sitting at 1600 Pennsyvania than the One we have.
goat on February 3, 2009 at 10:21 PM
Co-opt the conservatives. Split the RINO republicans from the conservatives. Meld them into the democrat party giving The Obama a 70% voter base from far left to muddled right of center middle, leaving the conservatives (and Rush Limbaugh) screaming (impotently) from the sidelines.
Skandia Recluse on February 3, 2009 at 10:23 PM
trial balloon…………
Seven Percent Solution on Feb 3,2009 at 10:12PM.
Seven Percent Solution:
May I suggest theme music,for this trial balloon,how
about Up Up Away,in my beautiful(Liberal)Balloon,
by the Fifth Demension,of the golden era,of 1969!Hehe:)
canopfor on February 3, 2009 at 10:25 PM
At which point Obama gets all wrinkled from electrocution and proclaims himself Darth Barack-Uhs and Emperor.
fiatboomer on February 3, 2009 at 10:26 PM
This is Hopey/Changey
Perception/Deception
Conquer/Divide,
The Right!
canopfor on February 3, 2009 at 10:27 PM
Team Barry is trying to make Mitt toxic for 2012 just by floating the trial balloon… After a nose-dive of a first 2 weaks, Team Barry has to focus on quickly eliminating credible 2012 opposition…
phreshone on February 3, 2009 at 10:28 PM
I don’t believe it…he knows if he took this job, he’s dead to Republicans and no Dems would vote for him in any capacity anyway…plus, he doesn’t need a second major healthcare ‘reform’ spectacle to blow up in his face. And this one WILL blow up in somebody’s face (well, in addition to blowing up in all of our faces).
AUINSC on February 3, 2009 at 10:30 PM
We are the Obama. Lower your shields and surrender your political principles. We will add your policy and demographic distinctiveness to our own. Your Republican Party will adapt to service us. Resistance is futile.
Jim62sch on February 3, 2009 at 10:36 PM
Don’t Mormons believe Jesus and Satan are brothers?
/sarc
justinok on February 3, 2009 at 10:37 PM
Which set of heads would explode first? Romney fans’ or moonbats’?
ddrintn on February 3, 2009 at 10:42 PM
Romney would be wise to stay completely away from the Obama administration.
onlineanalyst on February 3, 2009 at 10:46 PM
This might actually work.
First of all, it is very hard for a patriotic American to turn down a request from his President, no matter how big of a scumbag he is.
Second, Mitt Romney likes to fix things. Face it, guys. Our healthcare system in this country is broke.
Having said that, if offered the job, Mitt would be a fool if he doesn’t get in writing promises that he will not be forced to support some socialistic nightmare that the Democrats want to ram down our throats.
Marking Time on February 3, 2009 at 10:51 PM
I don’t understand why some of you are reacting to this like it is news. It’s purely conjecture and speculation on the part of one TIME magazine writer. Romney would turn down the position if it were offered, and Obama would never offer.
joncoltonis on February 3, 2009 at 10:51 PM
Personally, I think if Obama wanted Romney, he would have asked him to be Treasury Secretary. That would be more up his ally.
Marking Time on February 3, 2009 at 10:52 PM
I heard Mike Huckabee is taking over at Planned Parenthood! News at 11:00!
JeffinOrlando on February 3, 2009 at 10:55 PM
Hope and Change?
Brat4life on February 3, 2009 at 10:58 PM
You do know what a trial balloon is, yes?
This administration governs by trial balloon, have you not noticed?
Skandia Recluse on February 3, 2009 at 10:59 PM
Yeah, and weathervane. Clinton III.
ddrintn on February 3, 2009 at 11:01 PM
How could a Republican be a “health-care czar”?
MB4 on February 3, 2009 at 11:09 PM
An NHS would be “awesome”? Eeeesh.
ddrintn on February 3, 2009 at 11:15 PM
Not gonna happen. I heard another alternate name thrown out there today to replace Daschle…Howard Dean. Also, probably not gonna happen, but…shudder.
CP on February 3, 2009 at 11:17 PM
Please not Dean. I can’t even stand to look at his face. If he had half a brain he’d be a half-wit.
Percy_Peabody on February 3, 2009 at 11:29 PM
Hey, Ron Paul is a doctor, right?
Jim62sch on February 3, 2009 at 11:35 PM
Pixie dust.
Cheshire Cat on February 3, 2009 at 11:37 PM
Leftist policies Romney would gladly support. Remember teh Fred pwning Mitt on “mandates” in a debate this season? Anyone?
bcm4134 on February 3, 2009 at 11:46 PM
Next thing we know he will be offering vice-presidency to Sarah Palin.
If he does pick Romney, the left will explode and the GOP will have a huge weapon to protray Democrats as aparty so full of corruption that even when they sweep the elections, they have to appoint Republicans to all the top posts.
promachus on February 3, 2009 at 11:48 PM
Romney would never take this, he is going to run in 2012.
lavell12 on February 3, 2009 at 11:51 PM
Romney care failed misrably for goodness sakes. Why would we want that crap all over the country?
Dritanian on February 3, 2009 at 11:52 PM
Great. So now we may have some Mor
mon in Magic Underwear telling me I must buy into a government-mandated healthcare plan.Sorry. No sale.
Vic on February 3, 2009 at 11:52 PM
If he accepted, we would know the truth about the man.
Connie on February 3, 2009 at 11:59 PM
Dumb.
sandman on February 4, 2009 at 12:11 AM
I bet he’d do it, and judging from the comments, I’m not alone.
chunderroad on February 4, 2009 at 12:11 AM
I am sorry but the GAYS will have a heart attack
Why would you want a mormon who would tell the gays to stop their activities or else
they will die of AIDS?
I am serious they will take it this way (meaning the gays) and they will riot..
jcila on February 4, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Once again so all of you Mitt haters can understand. Mittcare was the most conservative option he could get through his uber-liberal legislature other than what they proposed which was Mass. health care. Mass. is so broke under their new Democrat gov. they are trying to go after New Hampshire for money because their own residents would rather go there to buy things. So how is Deval Patrick working out for y’all?
goat on February 4, 2009 at 12:27 AM
That “Romneycare” in it’s original form was not as bad as it is now. Even the Heritage Foundation supported the plan. The success of the program hinged on the choices within the program and base coverage that was not overly inflated. Heritage noted that if the base plans were too expensive then the plan would ballon in cost. True to form the legislature blew up the coverage to an unsustainale level. When “Romneycare” finally does explode lets not let the left or the right hang the failure on Romney. The governor of La and Nagin were able to skirt blame for Katrina, lets not let the Massachusetts legislature skirt their portion of the blame for a failed experiment in socialized medicine.
Theworldisnotenough on February 4, 2009 at 12:32 AM
Theworldisnotenough on February 4, 2009 at 12:32 AM
Hear, hear! Mittcare quickly became uber-liberal legislature care as soon as he left office. Mitt is not to blame but the media and the ignorant will blame him anyway.
goat on February 4, 2009 at 12:40 AM
Mitt said he wouldn’t accept a cabinet position under a McCain presidency, why would he accept one under Obama, who is rumored to be even MORE liberal than McCain?
thecountofincognito on February 4, 2009 at 12:55 AM
BHO keeping his enemies closer.. Mitt, your time is coming – steer clear!
Quetzal on February 4, 2009 at 1:24 AM
Romney is about as Mormon as I am. And he’s about as conservative as Putin. As an outsider me thinks this would be a clever pick. Romney sounds like he would go along with Obamacare and also Obama’s social liberal agenda (cost cutting by contraception! stimulus by STD!)
And given Republicans/conservatives in the U.S. seem to be cannibalising themselves by seeing social conservatives as a drag on the ticket (although I suspect they are a plus if I look at the figures) this would be what we would call in Australia, great wedge politics.
Two ways peoples. Way of life and liberty. Or way of death and enslavement. Not hard to choose. Choose.
saint on February 4, 2009 at 3:24 AM
P.S. Would also get rid of a possible future contender. Obama already let slip in first week he is thinking in terms of reelection. Mind you I think you all got it right by not picking him as your candidate.
saint on February 4, 2009 at 3:25 AM
This has been what most of the self-professed conservatives have been wishing for. Just lose the RINOs and it will all be okay. Should be a day of rejoicing at HA.
As for Rush I think he got a prescription to fix that little problem
Bradky on February 4, 2009 at 5:05 AM
Never gonna happen. Here are some quotes from Mitt Romney’s recent address:
“We should be first to propose a Republican plan to bring health insurance to all Americans, one based on market dynamics, free choice, and personal responsibility.whatever direction we take, let’s not simply react to what the Democrats do. Their own plan would undoubtedly create a vast new system of costly entitlements and bureaucratic dictates, burdening the people and threatening the economy. Americans will be looking for a better alternative. Let’s give it to them.”
joncoltonis on February 4, 2009 at 5:53 AM
That’s how the last sentance begins, showing that the writer pulled it out of his butt and the entire thing has no basis in reality. Of course allah saw it as an opportunity to smear Romney. It’s pretty funny watching allah, a ny liberal and barry voter, question Romney’s credibility.
peacenprosperity on February 4, 2009 at 6:20 AM
That’s jut precious. Somehow I don’t think his definition of “awesome for the country” is the same as mine.
KelliD on February 4, 2009 at 7:17 AM
Get a grip, folks. This whole post is based on Marc Ambinder’s daydream about Mitt Romney. You might as well worry that Bobby Jindal will be named HHS Secretary, Sarah Palin White House Energy Czar, and Mark Sandford Chief White House Performance Officer. And Jeb Bush will be named our first ambassador to Havana or Tehran or Pyongyang. After all, I hear Obama’s has some jobs to fill.
ddh on February 4, 2009 at 7:23 AM
Romney has had a hugely successful life, has hundreds of millions of dollars and has a great family. Yet there are idiots that think he would do anything for fame and power. He is not schumer, pelosi or reid. He can, and has, stood on his own accomplishments. It’s amazing that so many will accept the liberal attack on a good man hook, line and sinker.
To accept the liberal smear, you would have to accept that Romney is truly a bad guy. Someone who having achieved so much would forsake his own ill wife to gain any kind of power he could. That his intentions are all self centered and bad. It’s sad how the people of this country have turned out.
peacenprosperity on February 4, 2009 at 7:46 AM
Merely listing! Hoping for change in action. Ambinder must be on the team.
Basilsbest on February 4, 2009 at 7:58 AM
Why should Mitt risk anything for this administration? I believe that Obama’s big plans for health care reform will go about as smoothly as his cabinet nominations.
Too many interest groups will want a piece of the health care pie. It will end as Hillary care ended.
Mitt should stay clear.
DrStock on February 4, 2009 at 7:59 AM
Yes, the man had no clue that the plan might be changed by Democrats. Imagine! Democrats! In the Massachusetts legislature! Whoda thunkit.
Can someone give me a compelling reason why Romney was better than Giuliani by the time he left office, based on what he had done?
bcm4134 on February 4, 2009 at 8:27 AM
Much better deal for Obama. It effectively kneecaps one of the strongest opponents in 2012, and the nutroots rage will be outweighed by the positive media coverage.
BadgerHawk on February 4, 2009 at 8:32 AM
He’s a self disciplined man of integrity who would bring his best to what ever he does. I say, put him in there and stop carping about it. Jesus and the disciples aren’t available right now.
jeanie on February 4, 2009 at 8:36 AM
I it is closer to cross-dressing than cross-cultural.
belad on February 4, 2009 at 8:57 AM
That’s a mighty big assumption, and one I personally can confidently say is wrong.
Vashta.Nerada on February 4, 2009 at 9:27 AM
This is probably just stupid speculation. Why would Obama, who just reversed Bush’s policy on (not) funding abortions by executive order, bring a pro-lifer into his administration? Why would Romney, who is both pro-life and dedicated to free-market solutions for economic problems, serve under a pro-abortion socialist administration?
Romney is (hopefully) too smart to accept such a position. He knows that if he tried to impose his own views in opposition to Obama’s, Obama could fire him on a whim, but if he “goes along” with Obama, Romney is toast as a Republican. If Romney, as part of an Obama administration, “saves” something, Obama gets the credit–if Obama goes down in flames, Romney goes down with him. No point in jumping on a sinking ship–better stay away and offer a lifeboat.
Romney’s better course is to watch Obama and his “health czar” make blunders from the outside, make constructive criticism, and build credibility with the voters.
Steve Z on February 4, 2009 at 9:28 AM
Obama has learned one lesson very well: Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer. It’s only an accident that Richardson didn’t get in there, and with Daschle in there too he wouldn’t have had much resistance from within his party for 2012. He’s already got Clinton in there.
Seixon on February 4, 2009 at 9:54 AM
Romney is pro-life?
saint on February 4, 2009 at 10:32 AM
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