The interviewer makes a compelling case for doctors as government leaders. Here’s a choice quote:
Dr. Chatterjee: What are some of your main goals/agenda items that you want to accomplish as the next Governor of Massachusetts?
Dr. Berwick: There are five main areas. First, I want to improve the quality of education in Massachusetts. We already have one of the best public school systems in the nation. I want to stress on public investment, specifically, investing in teachers to seek higher education and training, and thus grow intellectually. Second, I want to improve the public transportation system in Massachusetts, which despite its quality, I think is under-maintained. Third, I am the only candidate in the race that is seriously calling for a single-payer healthcare system for our Commonwealth, and not just paying lip-service to it. Fourth, I want to make sure that the social safety net is in place due to rising social and financial inequality in our state as well as our country as a whole. I am a big believer in social justice. Lastly, I want to invest in workforce development as evidenced by my commitment to instituting workforce development programs during my stint as the Chief of Medicare and Medicaid Services.
The whole thing is well worth a read:
Why we need doctors as government leaders: An interview with Dr. Donald Berwick
…that Sen. Eldridge will endorse Berwick.
At least through the primary. I loved how succinct that answer was and those five priorities are exactly the five I would have picked. Progressive wonkishness but succinct enough for a soundbite. He also seems to have grown from being a one trick healthcare pony and is the only candidate who seems to have an education plan that would address funding inequities and ask teachers what they want rather than simply saying ‘charters’ and hoping to sound like he knows something. I like the order of the priorities as well.
I still have concerns about his working with the legislature we have and running into many of the same problems Deval did. I also have concerns about splitting the anti-Coakley vote, but he has my full support through the rest of the primary. It also appears that the momentum is swinging in his favor, which makes him more likely to emerge as the Coakley alternative. I doubt Avellone will make the ballot and it seems like his voters may go Berwick’s way. If Grossman is the more viable before the primary I may consider him as my second choice, but my heart is with Berwick.
has been getting delegates from among conservative Dems in central Mass. Not sure they break to Berwick.
Plus many more – Kate Donaghue attended our Drinking Liberally meeting last night and conducted a straw poll. Among the attendees were 12 delegates, and Berwick took it in a landslide.
when Berwick is someone’s first choice. I was talking about people whose first choice is Avellone (and there seem to be some in the Worcester area) then having to pick a second choice. I have a hard time seeing someone say, (1) Avellone; (2) Berwick. Unless he/she really likes doctors.
Not too much of a surprise a Drinking Liberally group is keen on Berwick!
I think the support for Avellone in Central Mass is not about his political positions – he is not particularly conservative, as some of my fellow Central Mass Dems are. His support here is mostly based on personal relationships.
I like him. Actually, I like them all. Right now I would go with Berwick but I, and most everyone I know, remain uncommitted.
It depends on the issue. Avellone, as he posted here, wants to expand drug treatment and reduce the prison population. He’s also for the carbon tax. He’s not a right-winger by any stretch. But he’s deliberately positioned himself as a (really, THE) fiscal moderate, and claims he’s more electable because the others will be painted as tax-and-spend liberals. He’s against single payer, etc. But I’m sure you’re right that personal relationships play a big part.
A lot of uncommitted around. Some folks say they’re all good. Others say they’re all lousy.
Instead of a planted pretend “interview” on Kos, (It’s the “interviewer”‘s first post there, ever) maybe Dr. Berwick should’ve been genuine.
More doctors in government?
Dr. Berwick was there once, but caved in to Tea Party pressure and quit as head of Medicare and Medicaid, deciding one less doctor was a good thing.
Isn’t Rand Paul a doctor?
My understanding is that the Republicans in the senate refused to confirm his appointment, so he was essentially forced out after Obama’s recess appointment ran its course,
Anything else in your post?
Given your tone and the ridiculous description you gave of what went on with his departure from Medicare and Medicaid (which was *not* his fault), I’m awfully tempted to just call that a lie.
Seems more likely than just ignorance, but either way, given both your absurd accusations, you have a duty to be accurate and provide proof of your allegations.
You’ve done neither.
He quit before the end of his term due to republican pressure.
The “interview” on dKos was a first time post by someone who joined that same day.
Rand Paul is a doctor too.
Your “rebuttal”, the tone of which some might describe as a childish tantrum, seems to claim that even though Berwick caved to GOP pressure and quit his post, your ignorance of that fact makes it “deceptive” and a “lie”?
Here:
http://www.google.com
I think there’s a “help” link for new users.
I think you mischaracterize “republican pressure”. Nobody pressured him to leave. He was coming to the end of his recess appointment and the Republicans signaled very strongly that he would not be confirmed. He resigned, perhaps at the request of Barack Obama, to pave the way for Marilyn Tavenner, who was confirmed and is the incumbent Administrator at CMS.
Regardless of the manner of his leaving, the very fact of such strong Republican opposition signals, to me anyways, that he is doing/saying something right.
So what? Who cares? Why should this matter?
42 Republican Senators against your nomination is “pressure,” by my lights.
I agree with you that the strong Republican opposition against Sir Donald was a good sign, I for one favor what upsets the GOP. Berwick wants us to think so too, as he keeps mentioning that years ago one right winged radio host called him a “danger.” What I don’t want is constant caving in to their demands. The Republicans said they didn’t want Berwick, so Berwick quit without a fight, and Obama nominated someone the GOP would approve of. Hardly a success there.
And the second bit is minor, but up above the “interview” was trumpeted as “Three Cheers!” for “reaching out to the NetRoots!” – when the facts indicated otherwise. If Berwick wants to be seen as reaching out to the NetRoots, let him join dKos or BlueMass – merely planting a fawning “interview” isn’t enough.
He no more “caved” than Susan Rice did when Obama decided he wanted her as National Security Advisor.
It was Obama’s decision to go with someone else rather than fighting in uphill battle in both instances, as is his right.
If you have a problem with it, take it up with Obama, not Berwick or any other person who the Republicans have managed to nix from being appointed by being the Party of No.
Indeed, the Senate changed the entire rules to stop the Republicans from doing this to appointees anymore — it just wasn’t in time to benefit Berwick.
I was unaware.
The Constitution provides that when someone is appointed during the recess of the Senate without being confirmed, he or she can only serve through the next session unless subsequently confirmed to continue permanently. I believe Elizabeth Warren was in the same position regarding the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
His posts can be found here. There is no indication he planted the DK interview, which was crossposted here by a longtime BMGer who supports him.
I took this to mean it was a new thing for Berwick.
Dr. Chatergee posts here? Under what name?
I was refering to johnt001 who crossposted the diary here.
…. as a nomination is an adminstrative prerogative the nominee himself has little to no say in whether or no he is confirmed and whether or no the administration fights for his confirmation.
Saying Berwick ‘quit’ is giving his position too much agency: if Obama wanted to fight for him he may, or may not have succeeded the confirmation; if Obama did not want to fight for him, no will in the world would see him confirmed at all.