Conyers mentions the lack of Gupta's experience for this position, especially in the field of public health. The man appears to operate in a very small field of medicine (dare I say elite?). What does he possibly know about John and Jane Q. Public and their very real concerns? Affordable healthcare, safe drugs, safer, healthier food - yes, we are responsible for our own bodies, but sometimes, what happens to hurt or kill us is not our doing at all. And those that cause it are literally getting away with murder. Somehow, it's always our fault.

Yes, Sanjay is a cutie, and many people have been watching him and listening to his "advice" for years. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that this media experience put him at the top of Obama's list. That definitely worries me. Let's compare him to other Surgeons General, just for yucks.

He didn't just call him out, he's directly and publically opposing him, as opposed to many other of Obama's picks where our Congresspersons simply voiced their 'concerns.' Perhaps the title should be that Conyers opposes Gupta.

integrity - I'm sure that put him on top of the lest as well. He is a ever-flowing fountain of conventional medical wisdom - and I'm someone who likes western medicine. Honestly, I thought was a joke when I heard it but then the two do remind me of each other.

the Obama fan base is out in force.

Otherwise I might be won over by his good looks and ignore the threat he poses to the health and well-being of the nation by being a tool of big pharma:

CNN's Chief Medical Correspondent, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, was raising eyebrows five months before he bungled his fact-checking segment on Michael Moore's health care documentary, "Sicko," leaving Moore and many of CNN's viewers questioning Gupta's journalistic integrity. Writing on his CNN blog on February 28, 2007, Dr. Gupta endorsed Merck's controversial and scientifically challenged vaccine for girls and young women, Gardasil, without shedding any light on the incestuous relationship he has with Merck.

"As a doctor, and parent, I would recommend the vaccine for my daughters. I feel the ability to protect them in any way, including from cancer, is my primary obligation."

I hope he doesn't have daughters, but I have a sinking feeling he does.

How does making a tool like Gupta Surgeon General get us on the path to healthcare for all? I'm just not seeing it. I'm not a fan of Western medicine to the point that I think pushers of Vioxx, Gardasil and other primitive patented pharmaceuticals should be imprisoned. I'm glad someone is at least opposinghim.

of gathering together momentarily somewhere? The tendency to laud a particular person one moment or issue, then trash with seemingly no recollection of the earlier hero worship is verging on unbalanced. Said with all due recognition of those who do not join the witch hunt de jour.

Ideologues delite. And a tyrant's dream group.

I recall thinking that by reading enough of the comments one might come to see varying views--now, not so much. Gotta go with the flow, get with the group think.

Alas.

are courting and which seems to be trending Democratic. At least here in my little part of Northern NJ.

But this is not out of character for Obama's selections: Consider Rev. Rick Warren--the guy has made some repulisve statements about groups which have and continue to suffer discrimination, but it's OK with BO. And Warren met a perceived need for Obama's continuing campaigning. Probably same for Gupta.

And for all those who have concerns about, oh, qualifications and prior statements? Plenty of room under the bus...for those not already there. Heh.

Obama seems to have made some very, very good selections for some positions. Some seem highly questionable. This one seems like a PR move.