Howard Dean – the physician who would treat the nation's ills

[pruner]

The nation has seen lawyers and generals, a college president and even an actor. President Bush's aides, during the 2000 campaign, were fond of suggesting that his experience in the business world would bring executive discipline to Pennsylvania Avenue.

Dean presents a different model: the president as physician, diagnosing problems and prescribing treatment.

<snip>

The former Vermont governor's stint as a general internist is more than an item on his résumé, according to longtime friends and colleagues. In many ways, they say, the rigors of his medical training and his years of making life-or-death decisions during hospital rounds helped to shape his personality, his management style and, ultimately, his approach to governing.

<snip>

Dean's background has also put a sharp focus on one of the most challenging domestic issues in America today -- how to extend medical insurance to the estimated 41 million citizens who lack basic coverage.

Dean, 55, made health care reform a priority as governor, and as a presidential candidate he has pledged to expand access to care nationwide.

Dean repeatedly has suggested that his experience as a physician is central to his political motivation. "I'm not running for president in spite of the fact that I'm a doctor," Dean told an audience at Columbia University May 13. "In a very real sense, I'm running because of it."

<snip>

http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1069570150226600.xml

[Blue_State_Elitist]

1. Wow

Good post, but the thread title is extremely corny.

[pruner]

3. the thread title came from the article's title

:)

[Zomby Woof]

2. to which I would say to Dean

Physician, heal thyself.

[ArtieBoy]

4. Liked the title

I thought the title was great. I suggested that one in a letter to the Iowa Caucus: "The Doctor to cure an ailing nation!" Obvious, but memorable, like "Where's the beef?"

[quaker bill]

5. I can see it in his style.

He is an excellent troubleshooter, responds well and quickly when pressed, and puts things in easily understood terms.

The only thing I wonder about is the "do no harm" thing. His campaign does seem to be doing harm to other candidates presidential aspirations.

[slinkerwink]

6. nice article

:-)

[mb7588a]

7. He'll make a great surgen general!

*duck*

[mrgorth]

8. That was good natured

I dig it.

[LastTime2BeFree]

9. We can only hope

The bad news is that Dean would not allow a methadone clinic in Vermont to help the addicted. As soon as his rethug replacemen (Douglas?) came in he set up two methadone clinics for the needy. This, sadly, will come out.