The Scientist : NewsBlog Print: Varmus vs. Daschle vs. Dean?
The Scientist: NewsBlog:
Varmus vs. Daschle vs. Dean?
Posted by Alison McCook
[Entry posted at 6th November 2008 10:49 PM GMT]

Now that election day is over and we can stop feverishly predicting who will move into the White House, it's time to start feverishly predicting who President-elect Barack Obama will appoint to key positions in his cabinet.

So far, the Wall Street Journal has heard three names as potential leaders of the Health and Human Services: Harold Varmus, former Senator Tom Daschle, and Howard Dean, a doctor and Democratic National Committee chairman.

For the FDA, the WSJ predicts the commissioner's position could go to Steven Nissen, a critic of industry ties to the agency who has been advising Obama. Other names the journal has heard bandied about for FDA chief include Mike Taylor (Dep. Commissioner under Clinton), Robert Califf at Duke, Mary Pendergast, and Janet Woodcock, head of FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Who do you think could (or should) take over these posts?


 

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comment:
Augustine for Secretary of Innovation
by null null

[Comment posted 2008-11-12 14:38:02]
Here is a provocative idea (actually one borrowed from the ITIF). Create a new Cabinet agency that is focused on innovation that would consolidate a number of programs and agencies scattered throughout the federal government and appoint Norm Augustine to serve as its first Secretary. This would give new teeth to the Gathering Storm report and provide a central location for the America COMPETES Act to be implemented. Thoughts?


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comment:
Varmus?! Arghh!!
by anonymous poster

[Comment posted 2008-11-10 12:52:47]
As NIH Director, Dr. Varmus:

1. Exercised his responsibilities vis-a-vis the Gallo-Pasteur HIV blood test patent dispute & related matters disgracefully: protected Gallo & marginalized accurate Pasteur claims;

2. Instituted what the Los Angeles Times termed the NIH - commercial business, "Stealth Merger." Remember all the Congressional hearings and fallout from this expos??

3. Abused the government's special consultant hiring rule. Result: many senior exec's & scientists got higher salaries but technically not the authority of their positions.

The Secretary of HHS requires much more responsibility than does NIH Director.


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comment:
Jack Gibbons
by Robert Von Borstel

[Comment posted 2008-11-10 00:09:38]
Jack Gibbons was the science adviser to Clinton. Before that he was science advisor to the House of Representatives. He is personally acquainted with lots of scientists, and he carried out a splendid use of an advisory network to push science forward.

So I recommend him for the job. It would be good to have him there again.

R.C. (Jack) von Borstel



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comment:
I work at Memorial Sloan-Kettering
by anonymous poster

[Comment posted 2008-11-08 08:45:10]
And the feeling there seems to be that Varmus won't want to return to Washington. Someone who worked closely with him at the NIH said "those are terrible jobs..." On the other hand, can he resist not being part of an Obama adminstration? On the other-other hand, he is receiving a salary of more than $2 million a year, he has a lovely NY apartment, a lab at MSKCC... would he give all that up to serve his nation?? I wonder. He may be content to visit the White House occasionally and offer counsel and advice. He's a very interesting, complicated man and nothing would surprise me. He could make the leap, if asked...


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comment:
I know who shouldn't be selected
by anonymous poster

[Comment posted 2008-11-07 21:31:47]
how about Sarah Palin (joke)


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comment:
Obama Science Advisor
by anonymous poster

[Comment posted 2008-11-07 15:21:05]
Anthony Fauci gets my vote.


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