Aborting Appointments

One-hundred days. It's been nearly one-hundred days since Obama has taken office. A lot has been going on: countries have been visited, documents have been released, money has been spent and secretaries have been appointed. Well, all but one. As Carrie Brown from Politico Magazine expressed last Friday, "the Department of Health and Human Services holds a dubious distinction in the Obama administration: last on the list to install a secretary."

Who could have guessed HHS would be the last to appoint a secretary? Tom Daschle was practically one of the first cabinet members nominated by Obama immediately following the election. Daschle was anticipated to be a major impetus of change in health care. That was until he got held up on tax issues during congressional hearings. As ABC News explains, "Daschle failed to declare on his income taxes a chauffeur service that he used for years, as tax laws require. Though he corrected the violation during the vetting process, he was unable to overcome the political hurdles that came with the territory."

So on February 4th, Daschle removed his name from nomination. Less than a month later Obama nominated former Governor of Kansas Kathleen Sebelius to be the new Secretary of HHS. Sebelius, too, has been met with opposition in her appointment. Republicans blocked a vote last Thursday that would have most likely ended up in her appointment as secretary of HHS.

Their reasons? According to the Associated Press, RNC Chairman Michael Steele was quoted as saying, "Significant questions remain about Gov. Kathleen Sebelius' evolving relationship with a late-term abortion doctor as well as about her position on the practice of late-term abortions. If Gov. Sebelius and the Obama administration are unwilling to answer these questions, President Obama should withdraw her nomination." These inquiries are born by the fact that Sebelius received over $35K in campaign contribution from a Dr Tiller who owns an abortion clinic in Kansas.

It doesn't matter to Republicans that "Sebelius told the Finance Committee that she personally opposes abortion" according to the AP. However, they apparently think there is something sinister lurking behind the prose of this woman who respects the rights of those who want the choice to have an abortion. As Governor, Sebelius repeatedly vetoed legislation redacted by anti-abortion groups who tried to take away a women's right to choose.

If I'm not mistaken that should be the type of person congress is looking for: one who upholds the right of choice. During the election polls showed that most people were actually in favor of abortion by some 13%. But by and large I think it is safe to say that the majority of people are split down the middle regarding this issue. So why not have a woman as secretary of HHS that inherently sees this division? As one who personally opposes abortion, but also upholds the right for women to choose.

- m.tsang