Political Insider

By Soulpowr

January 8, 2009 4:49 PM | Link to this

I guess Dr Gupta wouldn’t know anything about the poor and underserved working at Grady.

By Soulpowr

January 8, 2009 4:52 PM | Link to this

I guess Dr Gupta wouldn’t know anything about the poor and underserved working at Grady.

By Denise

January 8, 2009 5:36 PM | Link to this

Dr. Gupta was a surprising choice, especially since he has always been such a tool of the healthcare industry.

Oh well, if he is confirmed, one can only hope that he is enough of an opportunist that he will simply go along with the agenda and keep his own opinions (aka greed) out of it.

By sharon Elliott

January 8, 2009 8:20 PM | Link to this

Dr. Gupta is an excellent choice. He doesn’t need the money he’s taking a pay cut. He’s a brain surgeon. I think he will be able to connect with the kids and inspire us in the fight against obesity which causes so many other illnesses. It’s time for change. Nothing else has worked, if he’s willing to get in the kitchen, stand back and see what he’s cooking and shut up.

By jt

January 8, 2009 9:22 PM | Link to this

Gupta is a smart guy like Obama both inexperience.

What is the problem?

OK for Obama, why not OK with Gupta?

By art

January 9, 2009 2:39 AM | Link to this

Guppie knows little about the practice of medicine in the private sector. He has spent his entire career in the ivory tower of academia and the glass tower of journalism. Why not pick someone who really does know the business of medicine inside out and can empathize with real people, not a made-for-TV audience?

By Hotchick32

January 9, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this

I think he’s hot! Go for it Sanjay!!!

By Reid in EAV

January 9, 2009 9:56 AM | Link to this

The Surgeon General is always more of a public figure than other presidential appointees, responsible for the being the face of public health to the nation. (See Koop, C. Everett, who did one of the best jobs at this.) I think in that light, Gupta is a brilliant choice since he’s already in the public eye. (As for actual healthcare policy, look more to the White House and HHS secretary Tom Daschle.)

By Attila The Nun

January 9, 2009 9:58 AM | Link to this

Remember - being Surgeon General is easy - if Joycelyn Elders could do it, anybody can. It’s not like it’s brain surgery or something.

By NICK

January 9, 2009 9:58 AM | Link to this

Why doesn’t Obama nominate Dr. Phil? All his other nominations are just as big a joke…

By jon gill

January 9, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this

An excellent choice. He is more qualified the any cabinet pick Bush made.He would put just the right face on this post.

By Ryan

January 9, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this

The last Surgeon General l ever remember is C. Everett Coop. We actually listened when he spoke. I think this Gupta guy will be reminiscent of Dr. Coop and is a wonderful choice for Surgeon General.

By Copyleft

January 9, 2009 10:13 AM | Link to this

Riiiigght, Nice; because all of Obama’s appointments and selections so far have been utterly unqualified and totally lacking in experience. That explains why pundits across the board have been approving them.

Keep it up, I’m sure Obama will make a mistake someday. THEN you can pounce.

By Carrie

January 9, 2009 10:17 AM | Link to this

Can anyone—off the top of their head—recall the name of the current surgeon general? Or the one before that?

Maybe what the office needs is a public face to reach the people than some unknown who toils behind closed doors.

By El Bingo es Loco!

January 9, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this

An excellent choice. He is more qualified the any cabinet pick Bush made.He would put just the right face on this post.

What. A. Joke.

Come on, the partisanship is oozing out of every word in your comment.

By Aaron Burr V. Mexico

January 9, 2009 10:29 AM | Link to this

So what?

Cajoling sociopaths should become the national past time.

By Michael Riordan

January 9, 2009 10:35 AM | Link to this

Based on his comments, I don’t think Conyers knows what the Surgeon General does.

By swolf4810

January 9, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this

I’d much rather have Gupta as Surgeon General than some of the idiots we’ve had in the past!

By count d' monet

January 9, 2009 10:46 AM | Link to this

If Dr. Gupta isn’t fit, what about Dr. Oz? Everyone loves him…Oprah can’t be wrong, can she?

By Attila The Nun

January 9, 2009 10:59 AM | Link to this

Another stellar example: Antonia Novello was surgeon general under George H W Bush - her brother is actor Don Novello, who played Fr. Guido Sarducci on Saturday Night Live.

By Pierce Randall

January 9, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this

At worse, Sanjay Gupta is a pretty face to put on something that doesn’t mean much. At worst, so is the Surgeon General’s Office. I don’t see what the problem is.

By Chief Wiggum

January 9, 2009 11:38 AM | Link to this

I miss C. Everett Koop. I mean, what a name…many have taken it, and modified it as “C. Everett Poop” I guess Gupta could be Poop-ta

By watson

January 9, 2009 11:50 AM | Link to this

The dude is a total TOOL for the healthcare industry. I hope he is denied.

By john

January 9, 2009 12:02 PM | Link to this

If Rep. Conyers knew so much about the position, why isn’t he a nominee?

By jw

January 9, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this

Tool for the healthcare industry - we’re talking Washington and Capitol Hill - name 10 officials in DC that aren’t tools of some kind of special interest group - If there are 10 people who really are ‘tools of their constituency’ I would like to know their names!!!!!!!! It is sad to know that EVERY official in Washington is a puppet of some special interest group! Tools - hee hee that’s funny - I thought they all were, Gupta will do an excellent job as Surgeon General!!!!! He can then make ‘Life-Alert’ commercials after his time is up - might want to worry more about how his CNN influence plays into this! Hardy Har Har about tools - sides are splitting - must stop laughing!!!!!!

By Chris

January 9, 2009 12:10 PM | Link to this

Surgeon General is basically a public relations job. Gupta’s experience with the media is actually beneficial for this - he knows how to present a message on TV and keep your attention while doing it.

Surgeon General’s haven’t done anything really since Lincoln’s SG killed him.

Actual healthcare policy is carried out by Dept. Health/Human Services - which needless to say I’m not crazy about Daschle for.

By astro

January 9, 2009 12:11 PM | Link to this

Change is here!!!

We now get Style over Substance..

Cover over Content.

Just keep telling yourself that Change is good.

By ProGuard

January 9, 2009 12:13 PM | Link to this

The Surgeon General position requires a knowledgeable medical doctor that shines under the media spotlight that comes with politics. Dr. Gupta’s background of Neurology and work as the CNN medical correspondent makes him the definition of perfect for the job. As a Georgian, my only complaint is that Grady will be losing a brilliant surgeon — but I suppose that is selfish.

By Luke

January 9, 2009 12:17 PM | Link to this

Denise, What are you talking about? Greed? Dr. Gupta may take the job for the opportunity it presents, to give something back or to improve his resume, but he wouldn’t be taking the job for the money. Do you have any idea how much of a pay cut this would be for him? I suspect he’d lose about 60 to 80% of his income if he takes the job AND he’d have to move to a city with a higher cost of living. Greed indeed.

By dumbing down

January 9, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this

Narcissistic Sanjay will kill himself if he is not the Surgeon General. Gupta is the biggest phony I have ever met and will treat you like a doormat if you can’t further his own self-promoting agenda. Is this is what our country is turning to… wimps, punks and shallow people with little or NO CHARACTER! Hollywood in DC!

By Chuck

January 9, 2009 12:30 PM | Link to this

Gupta is a great choice. He has the intelligence and the ability to convey his message in an easy to understand method. In short, he has common sense.

By Aaron Burr V. Mexico

January 9, 2009 12:37 PM | Link to this

A CNN Correspondent as Surgeon General?

What’s next?! An ACTOR in the white house?!

By Jack

January 9, 2009 12:47 PM | Link to this

Gupta advised Hillary when she was trying to nationalize health care. Back then, Hillary said that if employers couldn’t afford to pay for their employees’ health benefits, that they shouldn’t be in business. Gupta’s selection should concern small business owners.

By JIM

January 9, 2009 1:04 PM | Link to this

Here we go again , let us make it an issue just because we have all the time and nothing better to do . Yes we have had actor to in the whitehouse may be you forgot. We need more Smart people , see what the dumb can do to a great country . Sanjay Gupta is a great choice .

By Jane

January 9, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this

The Liberals are just upset because he has expressed Pro-life statements in the past and may not support liberal social issues as much as they would want.

By Dave Perry

January 9, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this

I would hardly call Grady Hospital or doing brain surgery in a tent in Iraq an Ivory Tower. Idiot!

By Josh

January 9, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this

I’ll try to keep this objective — not sure of what beef Rep Conyers has with Dr Gupta BUT this is for sure — a lot of hardcore liberals have reservatiosn because of Dr Gupta’s skepticism (or at least -ve bias) of universal healthcare — a favorite cause of many leftists. The one incident that comes to mind is when Michael Moore had this argument with Dr Gupta on the efficacy of universal healthcare and Dr Gupta expressed reservations. I think (and this is just a hunch), a lot of those on the extreme left have reservations because of Dr Gupta’s past expressed views on this issue.

By w

January 9, 2009 1:32 PM | Link to this

He’s hot! Give him the job. Does anyone even know the name of the current SG or what their background is? And what does the SG do anyway? With his name recognition, at least Gupta would bring a more publicity and attention to the office.

By Keith J.

January 9, 2009 1:33 PM | Link to this

The people who are speaking negatively about the idea of Dr. Gupta being Surgeon General obviously have no idea of what the Surgeon General is. These days the SG position is nothing more than a public relations figurehead. I think Dr. Gupta would be perfect for the job. Of course he’d have to give up his star status at CNN for potential media obscurity as SG

By Steve

January 9, 2009 1:38 PM | Link to this

I know Dr. Gupta personally and there is not a better, more knowledgeable person to have as Attorney General than him. Most of you are absolutely wrong about him. He is the perfect choice.

By Mandy

January 9, 2009 1:53 PM | Link to this

Steve,

I wonder if you have any clue what is going on.

Love,

Mamiefone

By Mamiefone

January 9, 2009 1:54 PM | Link to this

Steve,

I wonder if you have any clue what is going on. What else do you know?

Love,

Mamiefone

By Mamiefone

January 9, 2009 1:57 PM | Link to this

Steve,

I wonder if you have any clue what is going on. What else do you know?

Love,

Mamiefone

By For States rights

January 9, 2009 2:00 PM | Link to this

Is this the change that Obama screamed in our faces for months during the campaign????? So far it looks like a warmed over Clinton administration and “some of the dudes I saw on TV.” By the way…I am now hearing blacks at work complaining that he is not naming blacks to high gov positions. So now you guys still think he is gonna make your house payments for you???? (Yes I actually had a person tell me that.)

By andthensome

January 9, 2009 2:04 PM | Link to this

I love Sonjay! In fact, I suggested on several boards that he be nominated for Surgeon General. He and/or Dr. Oz!!! I’ve learned more about my body from these guys (and Roizen) watching television, than any medical doctor I’ve actually seen personally. So, boo-hoo to you Gupta haters. He’s a GREAT choice!

By andthensome

January 9, 2009 2:11 PM | Link to this

Now, I’m working on getting my Global Economic Agenda out there. Wish me well!

By Eli P. Karatassos

January 9, 2009 2:17 PM | Link to this

Conyers has little if any credibility in Congress. He does these little grandstand things to get his 15 minutes of fame. He’s not to be taken seriously. Gupta is exactly what is needed. Great choice.

By Bobby

January 9, 2009 2:20 PM | Link to this

I think John Conyers just wants publicity for opposing Gupta. I think it’ll be an easy confirmation hearing.

By DawgsStink

January 9, 2009 2:56 PM | Link to this

art - Your first mistake was calling medicine a business…the state educates doctors to serve the public, not to be budding business people…

By Lindy

January 9, 2009 3:30 PM | Link to this

with art everything is about money and business

By What a joke!

January 9, 2009 3:49 PM | Link to this

I suppose that having a surgeon general with medical experience but without political experience is worse than having a president without executive experience. What a joke this Conyers person is. If you say you supported Obama becuase of his ideals and perceived ability to represent prevoiusly excluded groups regardless of his executive experience, and then reject this guy for a lesser position but who seems to share some of those same qualities, then I would guess your support of Obama was based on something other than belief in his qualifications.

You change the rules to support what suits your cause, which completely destroys any credibility you had in the first place. This guy is representative of what we thought the election of Obama would eliminate in politics. Conyers is a self-serving idiot that should be shown the door by his constituency.

By What a joke!

January 9, 2009 3:58 PM | Link to this

I suppose that having a surgeon general with medical experience but without political experience is worse than having a president without executive experience. What a joke this Conyers person is. If you say you supported Obama becuase of his ideals and perceived ability to represent prevoiusly excluded groups regardless of his executive experience, and then reject this guy for a lesser position but who seems to share some of those same qualities, then I would guess your support of Obama was based on something other than belief in his qualifications.

You change the rules to support what suits your cause, which completely destroys any credibility you had in the first place. This guy is representative of what we thought the election of Obama would eliminate in politics. Conyers is a self-serving idiot that should be shown the door by his constituency.

By steve

January 9, 2009 4:08 PM | Link to this

I am not saying this nomination is good or bad or that I know their political views. It just seems like Obama’s pick is like picking Neil Patrick Harris to be the surgeon general because he played a doctor on TV.

By hogleg

January 9, 2009 5:01 PM | Link to this

conyers is a stooge for michael moore -gupta wouldn’t buy moore’s universal health care proposal

By Carol

January 9, 2009 5:22 PM | Link to this

It is about time that we had a younger person with creative ideas. We are in a big mess! How do some of these people know what Gupta’s career has been? Most people think they know best and just want to blame once again!

By Carol

January 9, 2009 5:25 PM | Link to this

It is about time that we had a younger person with creative ideas. We are in a big mess! How do some of these people know what Gupta’s career has been? Most people think they know best and just want to blame once again!

By Hadassah

January 9, 2009 5:27 PM | Link to this

I feel Dr. Gupta is an excellent choice for Surgeon General. He appears confident in his knowledge of medicine, and has the personality as well.

I’ve watched Dr. Gupta over the years, and have always admired him. He would make an outstanding Surgeon General, and I say President-elect Obama has made an excellent choice.

By Hadassah

January 9, 2009 5:33 PM | Link to this

I agree we need a change, and I believe Dr. Gupta represents change this country, (especially the healthcare sector) needs. Sanjay would make an excellent Surgeon General. Again, President-elect Obama has made a great choice.

By Marilynn

January 10, 2009 2:05 AM | Link to this

Howard Dean would be a better choice. Gupta is against Universal Health Care. Apparently he has never been without health insurance?

By Amaj

January 10, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this

Dr. Gupta’s family comes from India, perhaps the most medically underserved society in the world. The U.S. boasts a number of physicians on a twenty to one ratio with India. Combine the lack of infrastructure and social welfare in the subcontinent with the abject poverty and the widely varying superstitions held by many throughout the country and it is a receipe for disaster. If Dr. Gupta has not personally experienced this, he most certainly will have family who has. I think his cultural awareness puts a personal face on the job, and am certain he will do well with the position.

By Linda

January 12, 2009 4:57 PM | Link to this

I think Sanjay Gupta is an excellent choice! As Surgeon General, he will be a “spokesperson” for public health issues. What better person to explain serious health issues to the public than a former television reporter! He knows how to communicate effectively to a mass audience and that is critical for this position. He is a doctor with an extensive training in medicine and health. Good choice, President Elect Obama!