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Home › Politics

Politics | 01/08/2009 3:30 pm

Congressman Conyers Takes on Gupta

By The Staff at wowOwow.com
© AP

Apparently, economist Paul Krugman isn’t the only one with a bit of a problem with CNN medical guru — and one of People magazine’s "Sexiest People Alive" — Dr. Sanjay Gupta being named surgeon general.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-MI, has written a letter to fellow Democrats urging them to oppose the nomination. Why? Well, Conyers thinks Gupta "lacks the requisite experience needed to oversee the federal agency that provides crucial health-care assistance." Writes Conyers: "Please join me in signing a letter to President-elect Barack Obama that Dr. Sunjay Gupta not be nominated for the post of Surgeon General." [No, we didn’t spell "Sanjay" wrong — whoever wrote Conyers’ letter did. Oops. Maybe you want to hire a proofreader over there.]

"There are highly experienced medical professionals who question whether Dr. Gupta has the necessary experience or even the medical background to be in charge of some 6,000 physicians or more who work in the United States Public Health Service," Conyers continued.

You can read the whole letter here on msnbc.com. It notes that Gerard M. Farrell, Executive Director of the Commissioned Officers Association, told The Washington Post that Gupta will certainly face a "credibility gap" because he never served in the National Health Service Corp and doesn’t have the "experience or qualifications to be the leader of the nation’s public health service."

"This would be akin to appointing the Army chief of staff from the city council of Hoboken [NJ]," Farrell said.

The Hill says Conyers planned to call Obama directly Thursday afternoon to voice his concern and has raised the issue with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-NV.

"He becomes the spokesperson on public health for the United States" if confirmed, Conyers told The Hill, adding that, with Gupta’s anti-universal health-coverage views, "we’re done for."

Conyers won’t get too much of a say in whether Gupta is confirmed, since he doesn’t sit on the committee that oversees the confirmation hearing. But will he be able to rally enough support among Democrats to slow the process for Gupta? Time will tell.

Read more about: Barack Obama, CNN, Confirmation, John Conyers, News, Obama Administration, Sanjay Gupta, Surgeon General, U.S.

12 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Belinda Joy
Dr. Gupta is more than qualified to hold this important position. And beyond that, I agree with columnists and pundits that point out he fits with the Obama administration. Not just that he is young, attractive, possesses an articulate and out going persona; but that is the personality type that is need for the Surgeon General. As I heard said on one of the news shows, besides C. Everett Coop, most people can’t name our current and past Surgeon Generals. Dr. Gupta is well known and has the “celebrity cache” to connect with Americans on health education that will garner a lot more attention that his predecessors (should he accept the position).
By Belinda Joy on 01/08/2009 4:29 pm
Brooklyn Gal
I think the fact that he is well-known and has an audience, may help in the long run to get the public interested in health-care issues. I also hope he becomes a strong advocate for universal health care.
By Brooklyn Gal on 01/08/2009 5:23 pm
Allene Swienckowski
From a medical viewpoint, have any of you read Dr. Gupta’s articles? Unless you are familiar with current medical trends and/or arre interested in what is occurring in medicine, to simply suppport someone in a very pub lic office because they are “young, good-looking and a player in the media” are poor reasons for someone to be appointed to a major government position. I prefer knowledge and credibility over good-looks and media savvy. Come on ladies, step up to the plate and look at what surface charm has produced in our society. It’s time for women to be swayed by more than just a pretty face or youth, male or female.
By Allene Swienckowski on 01/08/2009 5:34 pm
DeBúrca obj
Do you really believe Barack Obama chose this person because he is “young, good-looking and a player in the media” ?? Come on now.
By DeBúrca obj on 01/08/2009 8:24 pm
Belinda Joy
Sanjay Gupta
By Belinda Joy on 01/08/2009 6:00 pm
starry Nite
Dr. Gupta is more than qualified and is interested in health care. Although his views may not match those of Obama but I think it would be good to have him on board rather than on the outside as a monday morning quarterback.
By starry Nite on 01/08/2009 8:48 pm
Diana T
I did not know that the Surgeon General has so many responsibilities, but I think Gupta may be a good choice because he connects with the American Public, has recognition already, and everyone listens to him. He is also young enough to be able to communicate with and involved younger people.
By Diana T on 01/08/2009 11:02 pm
georgia fatwood
DT…you’re right on…again…….When I started reading the thread, all I wanted to say was that he has a presence……..a known, visible, viable quantity and qualified spokesperson…..If he needs statistical backup, he will have it…….surely and certainly……I mean, he’s in charge…right…..? So he can tell us everything we/they know….and I’m assuming that he will have a brilliant cast of global characters in supportive roles……..and they are all gonna be savvy networkers…….Let’s hope he can he can hire and fire…and soon…….. Surely he will remind us about nature, nurture and nutrition……. The sooner we can feed the planet, the sooner we can do without terrorists……… A starving person is a terrorist waiting to happen……….. I know this is about the Surgeon General, but it’s more than that…….Do you remember what’s her name…about birth control? and she got dumped…but she was right…………and the guy with the beard?……nobody picked up on his program, either…….. Another opportunity of a lifetime…….Thanks, Obama……the planet couldn’t get any worse on your watch, now could it..?
By georgia fatwood on 01/08/2009 11:52 pm
f p
If Gupta is anti-universal health care them I’m with Conyers on this—this would be in direct opposition to Obama’s stated meed for this country to have it.
By f p on 01/09/2009 7:00 am
starry Nite
If Gupta is anti-universal health care them I’m with Conyers on this—this would be in direct opposition to Obama’s stated meed for this country to have it. By f p on 01/09/2009 8:00 am I am thinking that Obama sees him as a useful ally inside and not so much of a critic outside. Maybe since the clash with Michael Moore , where he was proved wrong on several points- he has learned his lesson. He seems like he is capable of change since he is relatively young.
By starry Nite on 01/09/2009 11:12 am
mary lou s
pluses and minuses: gupta has an audience and experience communicating he is a doctor better to have him on your side than not he did eventually apologize to michael moore BUT he mouths the truthiness of the pharmaceutical and insurance industries he attacked michael moore with what amounts to a character attack about the movie “sicko” he does seem opposed to a single payer plan for universal health care conyers, dingell, kucinich, and a few others repropose the medicare for all bill into each new session of congress. i support them. i also think paul krugman makes economic sense about health care.
By mary lou s on 01/09/2009 12:46 pm