The appointment of Dr. Sanjay Gupta to Surgeon General is a wise one. The role is largely about communication: he will be the leading spokesperson on matters of public health. Gupta is a master communicator -- clear, concise and always sympathetic. And of course he is a real doctor, still practicing today. (Read my review of Planet in Peril 2 here.)
It also represents the end of a long - and sometimes brutal - rivalry between Gupta and Dr. Mehmet Oz. (Oprah is said to be furious at the rebuff of her candidate.) Ironically it was the "heart" of Neurosurgeon Gupta that won out over the too cool and brainy Cardiac Surgeon Oz.
Dr. Oz is expected to concede defeat sometime today. Waiting any longer would be perceived as divisive. Surely he recognizes that marshaling fans of both men behind the rightfully appointed SG is the American thing to do.
President-elect Obama takes office in just 13 days and there are still appointments to be made.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. Mo,
Dr. Oz has to get over the brainbow. Maybe an air-filled balloon (no reference to your last post) might be in order. Considering his experience with infectious (no reference to your humor) diseases (no reference to your last post) I am confident he will become L. Panetta's right hand (no reference to your 'Spank Bank' post) man.
That said, sheesh. Who'da thought I go looking up the Surgeon General and wind up on Suicide Girls? Okay, except for Andrea.
Lucky Ned Pepper, Ph.Z at 1:20PM on Jan 7th 2009
2. btw Mac,
You'll love S.G.!
I found three and a half girls who had Will Hines Tattoos!
Edgar Pepper at 1:40PM on Jan 7th 2009
3. Hey Mo,
I'd like to nominate a few more of my favorite CNN personalities for appointment to government offices:
Director of Race Relations - Roland Martin
Director of Sexual Ambiguity - Hilary Rosen
Assistant U.S. Attorney General - Jeffrey Toobin
Ambassador to Cute Little Puppy Dogs - Campbell Brown
The Norelco Director of Clean Cut Beards - Wolf Blitzer
Director of the National Drug Control Policy - Larry King
P.S. - Dr. Mehmet Oz was on Larry King last night talking about Oprah's neverending problems with her weight and he was very snarky when asked about Gupta's nomination - maybe if he drops his pretentious attitude he might be considered for the Chief Medical Correspondent position with CNN after they graciously let Sanjay out of his contract.
FINN at 2:54PM on Jan 7th 2009
4. Finn,
Good to have you back!
Doesn’t make you any funnier though.
My suggestions:
Director of Race Relations – The M&M Car from NASCAR
Director of Sexual Ambiguity –Keanu Reeves
Assistant U.S. Attorney General – Jack McCoy
Ambassador to Cute Little Puppy Dogs –Sarah (see below)
The Norelco Director of Clean Cut Beards – Brett Favre
Director of the National Drug Control Policy –
Attachment #1: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=7CbAjj80NIM
Edgar Pepper Ph.Z at 4:22PM on Jan 7th 2009
5. Touche Dr. Pepper!
I'm so impressed with your exuberant panache that I'd like to nominate you to the newly established cabinet post - "National Director of Doctors". And after that unfortunate incident back in Afghanistan we could use a man like you to keep them all in line:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AqBPOWpOg0o
Keep Bob Hope Alive!
FINN at 4:55PM on Jan 7th 2009
6. Don't forget Jeanne Mose for health and human interest services ;-)
Brian at 8:30PM on Jan 7th 2009
7. I adore the highly intelligent and wise Mr. Cafferty.
We are so on the same page regarding Palin.
Off topic:
Sen. Harry Reid said he doesn't work for Obama?!
Dang, he really is a cracker.
giftedgirl at 8:35PM on Jan 7th 2009
8. For the love of god, don't let Nancy Grace into government. A lynch mob inciter isn't the kind of person we need in Washington. Apparently, she's never heard of due process.... Really scary woman.
Ken at 9:42PM on Jan 7th 2009
9. If Larry King was still alive he would make a *Great Press Secretary*.
LRAdams at 1:05AM on Jan 8th 2009
10. #7.
"Sen. Harry Reid said he doesn't work for Obama?!
Dang, he really is a cracker."
--------------------------------------------------
Racist alert! Racist alert! Racist alert! Racist alert! Racist alert! Racist alert! Racist alert!
JillJG at 7:06AM on Jan 8th 2009
11. Yeah, GG. No name calling. Besides that, it is an insult to real Southern farmers (Crackers) and Saltines. (crackers):)
Gabrielle at 9:14AM on Jan 8th 2009
12.
11. No, it's beyond name calling.
Just because there's some friction between the Senate leader Reid (a white) and the Prez-elect Obama(bi-racial) on one issue, doesn't mean Harry Reid is a racist.
The post is fomenting racial division. It is hateful.
JillJG at 10:37AM on Jan 8th 2009
13. Hey,Jillousy!
So nice to see you're in your classy, sophisticated attack mode, as usual.
F.Y.I., I was sending my baby a juicy inside smooch.
Listen, just because my Mo is a gentleman who has been polite enough to acknowledge you a few times, doesn't mean that my feelings toward you have changed.
Ms. Giftedgirl- still thinks you're a rude troll. at 12:18PM on Jan 8th 2009
14.
Yea, probably. But since we discuss everything in the universe, including the three big no-nos - sex, religion, and politics here, it's not surprising is it?
JillJG at 12:52PM on Jan 8th 2009
15.
Regardless of who winds up *where*, I am just THRILLED w/ the variety of interesting names & the thought of people repeating them over the course (of @ least) 4 years. It's going to be a blast.
I am vocally driven, so I love to listen to WHITE FOLKS struggle w/ foreign names.
Bite me, Jill.
Sherry Crackasian
-(;o)~
S.L. at 9:13PM on Jan 8th 2009