I figure I should keep offering a suggestion a day until the Obama White House figures this out for themselves. So here’s my Wednesday idea:
Divide the two jobs that Tom Daschle was going to have.
For HHS Secretary, pick Safeway CEO Steve Burd, who has been one of the boldest advocates for health care reform in the corporate world. One lesson from 1994 is clear: It will be a lot easier to sell the Obama plan if business climbs aboard.
For the White House health reform job, Obama should call an audible and bring former Clinton OMB director Jack Lew over from the State Department, where he was slated to become Deputy Secretary. (Sorry, Secretary Clinton.) He’s whip-smart, knows the policy inside-out, has keen political instincts and a feel for Capitol Hill that was honed during all those years that he worked for Tip O’Neill.
UPDATE: I’m looking for suggestions for Thursday. My only criterion: They can’t be on the conventional wisdom short list.
UPDATE2: This from Atrios:
The obvious choice for HHS is Orrin Hatch.