Michelle Malkin » CNN’s Sanjay Gupta for surgeon general. What next?

CNN’s Sanjay Gupta for surgeon general. What next?

By Michelle Malkin • January 6, 2009 04:05 PM

Celebrity idol Barack Obama picks another celebrity to head up the surgeon general’s office.

Howard Kurtz reports that CNN’s Sanjay Gupta has been tapped for the job.

At least it wasn’t Deepak Chopra.

What next? Judge Judy for the next Supreme Court opening?

I vote for celebrity bounty hunter Duane “The Dog” Chapman to head the Border Patrol.

***

Some defenders point to Gupta’s good work as an embed with a Navy unit, during which he performed brain surgery five times.

Commendable, no question. But just for comparison, here’s the biography and record of accomplishment of the current acting surgeon general:

Biography of the Acting Surgeon General
Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H.

Since October 2007, Rear Admiral Steven K. Galson, M.D., M.P.H., has served as the Acting Surgeon General. As the nation’s top public health physician, the Surgeon General communicates the best science, evidence, and data to the American people for them to make healthy choices that impact their health, safety, and security. Additionally, he serves as the operational Commander of the Commissioned Corps of the United States Public Health Service (PHS), a uniformed force of 6,000 health professional officers dedicated to promoting, protecting, and advancing the health and safety of the people of the United States.

Prior to his appointment as Acting Surgeon General, he served as the Director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). As the director, RADM Galson oversaw CDER’s broad national and international programs in pharmaceutical regulation and provided leadership for 2300 physicians, statisticians, chemists, pharmacologists and other scientists, as well as administrators whose work promoted and protected public health by ensuring that safe and effective drugs are available to the American public.

RADM Galson began his Public Health Service career as an epidemiological investigator at the Centers for Disease Control after completing a residency in internal medicine at the Hospitals of the Medical College of Pennsylvania. He has held senior-level positions at the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy where he was the Chief Medical Officer, and the Department of Health and Human Services.

RADM Galson received his Baccalaureate Degree from Stony Brook University in 1978, an M.D. from the Mt. Sinai School of Medicine in 1983, and a M.P.H. from the Harvard School of Public Health in 1990. He is Board Certified in General Preventive Medicine and Public Health as well as in Occupational Medicine.
RADM Galson is the recipient of numerous PHS awards, the Robert Brutsche Award from the Commissioned Officers Association of the USPHS and the Founders Award from the Association of Military Surgeons of the US. He is also the recipient of three Secretary of Energy Gold Awards.

Here’s Gupta’s bio, which includes the following:

Before joining CNN, Gupta was a fellow in neurosurgery at the University of Tennessee’s Semmes-Murphy clinic, and before that, the University of Michigan Medical Center. He became partner of the Great Lakes Brain and Spine Institute in 2000, and in 1997, he was chosen as a White House Fellow — one of only 15 fellows appointed. He served as special advisor to first lady Hillary Clinton.

Gupta has been published in a variety of scientific journals and has received numerous accolades. His health reports swept all three health and medical awards in 2006 – the first year the National Headliner Awards honored such journalism in a dedicated category. Also in 2006, his report, “Sabrina’s Law,” earned him his first Clarion award, and “Charity Hospital,” his first Emmy®. He is also a contributor to 60 Minutes and the Evening News with Katie Couric on CBS.

In 2003, he was named one of PEOPLE magazine’s “Sexiest Men Alive” and a “pop culture icon” by USA Today.

Commenter MadMoney: “Remember the primary function of the SG is to basically be the public health scold – dont forget Dr. Koop telling us all to quit smoking. By those standards, Gupta is totally qualified. I think conservatives should ask, why do we even have a Surgeon General, and why is it worth our tax dollars, and how constitutional is it anyway?”

***

Yes, I remember Gupta’s smackdown of Michael Moore over Sicko. Mary Katharine Ham points to a few other moments of Gupta’s clarity. I wouldn’t get your hopes up, though. On the core health care policy issues that matter to Obama, I will bet you he’ll have little if any input.

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#584751

On January 6th, 2009 at 7:24 pm, cyrebus said:

He’s 2nd choice was Dr. Huxtable
#584752

On January 6th, 2009 at 7:25 pm, Marie said:

Apparently Ophrah has no say – Doctor Oz should have been named SG. He probably would have been a better choice as the female TV viewers know him and believe in him.
#584754

On January 6th, 2009 at 7:31 pm, Marie said:

Oprah — sorry
#584755

On January 6th, 2009 at 7:31 pm, AlohaGuy said:

“In 2003, he was named one of PEOPLE magazine’s ‘Sexiest Men Alive’ and a ‘pop culture icon’ by USA Today.”

Hey, I could be SG…
#584757

On January 6th, 2009 at 7:32 pm, MrOlympia said:

I have no problem with Dr. Gupta. He is absolutely qualified. However, he makes tons of money doing what he does, why in the world would he want the position?

Now, I would love to post a funny thought, but I fear many people would not get it. I also fear that I might get kicked off the site or that the Obama secret service might want to know who I am! LMAO
#584764

On January 6th, 2009 at 7:42 pm, Marie said:

30 pcs of silver post #87

Thank you!!
#584782

On January 6th, 2009 at 8:08 pm, Tennessee Dave said:

On January 6th, 2009 at 7:42 pm, Marie said:
30 pcs of silver post #87

Thank you!!

Don’t forget:
eaglehaslanded
but then, it’s real easy to spot.
#584786

On January 6th, 2009 at 8:23 pm, Republicanvet said:

He may be a celebrity, but he appears to be more qualified than Jocelyn “I like Eric Clapner” Elders.

Remember? Bubba’s SG? The one is thought it a good idea to teach masturbation to 6th graders?
#584788

On January 6th, 2009 at 8:31 pm, d1carter said:

This is just a promotion from the official BO propaganda organization to the Cabinet…What is Wolf going to get?
#584789

On January 6th, 2009 at 8:36 pm, Tennessee Dave said:

On January 6th, 2009 at 8:31 pm, d1carter said:
This is just a promotion from the official BO propaganda organization to the Cabinet…What is Wolf going to get?

I’ve always thought he should have a drink named after him. Imagine:
“Bartender, give me a Wolf Blitzer.”
#584791

On January 6th, 2009 at 8:44 pm, beenthere said:

At least it wasn’t Deepak Chopra.

Or DeepFat Oprah.
#584797

On January 6th, 2009 at 8:50 pm, torabora said:

Whatever happened to Vera Baker?

insert a mountain of silence here….

Hmmmmm?
#584798

On January 6th, 2009 at 8:51 pm, Republicanvet said:

On January 6th, 2009 at 4:15 pm, fighterDC said:

Ryan Seacrest was Obama’s first choice for Press Secretary but he turned it down to do American Idol in 2009.

So he IS going to be his Press Secretary then.
#584802

On January 6th, 2009 at 8:54 pm, emjem24 said:

30 pcs of silver said:
imjustsayin
ilovemycountry
mpchops
red state skeptic
lgm
edelweiss
huggybear
moonshot

This isn’t comprehensive, but it should be good enough to begin with.

Hey 30,

Don’t forget:

MistressJustice (what happened to her?)
nyk (ahhh, the good ole days)
Chaps (just kidding )
#584805

On January 6th, 2009 at 8:58 pm, bjc said:

I think Dr. Phil would make a fine SG; I can see PEBO stepping into Dr. Phil’s office daily just to hear him say “How’s that workin’ out for ya”; Oh yeh, it’s going to be that bad; Remember, to say PEBO is in over his head is to say the Titanic is just a tad below the surface of the North Atlantic.
#584807

On January 6th, 2009 at 9:04 pm, Mookie said:

No, we are also going to sit around and think of ways to irritate weenies, whimps and other assorted Liberals. You see Dear imjustsaying we plan to give President Barack Hussein, Allah be Praised, Obama just as much slack as the Left gave Presidents Reagan and Bush II.

No offense, AZ, but that’s just stupid. You’ve spent the past eight years calling the left a bunch of immature, delusional a-holes for the way the treated Reagan and Bush. Now you’re going to become immature, delusional a-holes because a Democrat is in office. In other words, you’re becoming what you loathe. What’s the point?
#584808

On January 6th, 2009 at 9:10 pm, Republicanvet said:

On January 6th, 2009 at 6:25 pm, imjustsaying said:

Is that all you people are going to do here for the next four years, just whine about everything? If you don’t like that conservatives lost everything this election cycle why don’t you stop crying and go get involved in local politics or the RNC or something where you can put your talents to work instead of just being a bunch of crybabies. For crying out loud.

So how was it in the cave you lived in for the past 8 years?
#584815

On January 6th, 2009 at 9:23 pm, yohannbiimu said:

I thought the office of the surgeon general died during the Clinton presidency. Oh well, whatever…
#584816

On January 6th, 2009 at 9:25 pm, TheCityTroll said:

here are two more consequences of Obama pickshttp://thecitytroll.blogspot.com/2009/01/another-piece-of-obama-brilliance.html
#584817

On January 6th, 2009 at 9:26 pm, madchef said:

“Calling Dr. Howard”
“Calling Dr. Fine”
“Calling Dr. Howard”

“Sorry President Obama, their not answering.”

“OK, get me Dr. Gupta then.”
#584819

On January 6th, 2009 at 9:28 pm, TheCityTroll said:

the link from the troll should be this sorry

http://thecitytroll.blogspot.com/2009/01/another-piece-of-obama-brilliance.html
#584820

On January 6th, 2009 at 9:31 pm, Wellsy said:

I guess you can say that Dr. Gupta at least has experience with what he’ll be doing. You can’t say the same for Panetta at the CIA. I’m not getting too personally worked up over this one, though I certainly do recognize the lightheadedness of this pick.
#584821

On January 6th, 2009 at 9:32 pm, madchef said:

Hey, he could of picked these guys.

http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD–10204628/The_Three_Stooges_oversized_postcard).htm?sOrig=SCH&ui=2A26BE7EF275466A99870084FC10BA4C
#584822

On January 6th, 2009 at 9:40 pm, bjc said:

*I’m ok with Dr. Gupta if the emphasis is to educate, not dictate; But I see many areas of the country heading down the slippery “nanny state” slope in regards to individual health and well being; Mayor Bloomberg comes to mind.
*No matter if it’s Dr. Gupta or not, PEBO will use the position for the spearheading of his socialized medicine agenda; Bank on it!
*Feels good not to make 30’s list!
#584824

On January 6th, 2009 at 9:41 pm, 30 pcs of silver said:

On January 6th, 2009 at 7:42 pm, Marie said:
30 pcs of silver post #87

Thank you!!

You’re welcome!

On January 6th, 2009 at 8:08 pm, Tennessee Dave said:

I knew I would forget a few of them but he should have been at the top of the list.
#584826

On January 6th, 2009 at 9:44 pm, 30 pcs of silver said:

On January 6th, 2009 at 8:54 pm, emjem24 said:
30 pcs of silver said:
imjustsayin
ilovemycountry
mpchops
red state skeptic
lgm
edelweiss
huggybear
moonshot

This isn’t comprehensive, but it should be good enough to begin with.
Hey 30,

Don’t forget:

MistressJustice (what happened to her?)
nyk (ahhh, the good ole days)
Chaps (just kidding )

Hey there, emjem!

It was a whole thing but it was learned that mistressjustice also posed as nyk, watershed and a few other posters. He/she was banned. I wish I could recall the thread in which the banning occurred but it escapes me.
#584828

On January 6th, 2009 at 9:45 pm, Marie said:

OMG!! DOCTOR PHIL……….!!!!

WHAT IS OBAMA THINKING!

AMERICA’S SHRINK IS DISSED!
#584834

On January 6th, 2009 at 9:55 pm, Mookie said:

It was a whole thing but it was learned that mistressjustice also posed as nyk, watershed and a few other posters. He/she was banned. I wish I could recall the thread in which the banning occurred but it escapes me.

Whoa.

mistressjustice was nyk?? I knew about watershed but didn’t know nyk was also an alt. Was Rusty an alt as well?
#584842

On January 6th, 2009 at 10:05 pm, 30 pcs of silver said:

Was Rusty an alt as well?

That I cannot recall. Prior to the banning mistressjustice enumerated all of the posters we thought were other people. It was rather creepy.
#584846

On January 6th, 2009 at 10:15 pm, Mookie said:

That I cannot recall. Prior to the banning mistressjustice enumerated all of the posters we thought were other people. It was rather creepy.

I remember that night and it was really creepy. Talk about going out with a bang.
#584853

On January 6th, 2009 at 10:25 pm, right_on said:

It was a whole thing but it was learned that mistressjustice also posed as nyk, watershed and a few other posters. He/she was banned.

Interesting! (And I’ll bet she only tried to vote once for Obama.) It’s kind of pathetic to think some liberals need validation from others so much, that they have to create multiple personalities to obtain it.

Thanks for the info on the “wordy one”, 30.
#584870

On January 6th, 2009 at 10:58 pm, CleanGuy said:

Someone said to me sarcastically, “Who do you want, Doctor Laura?”
#584887

On January 6th, 2009 at 11:41 pm, TomB said:

I recommend Cher, Rosie O’, and Sean Penn be appointed ambassadors-at-large to anywhere with an unpronounceable name we can send them for as long as possible.

Because the change we need involves beautiful people doing beautiful things in places without hope. We are the world. We are the children. Kumbaya.
#584889

On January 6th, 2009 at 11:45 pm, havok said:

Nothing to see here folks. Gupta seems like a good fit. I’m more concerned about Panetta…
#584906

On January 7th, 2009 at 1:31 am, Beukeboom said:

What’s next? With the likelihood of Al Franken being named winner of the election in Minnesota, I wonder if Obama has plans for Franken to be the new head of the FCC or chairman of the committee to implement the UN”Fairness Doctrine”?
#584910

On January 7th, 2009 at 1:37 am, eCurmudgeon said:

Yet Another Government Office that should have been abolished years ago…
#584920

On January 7th, 2009 at 2:51 am, WarTip said:

“…why do we even have a Surgeon General, and why is it worth our tax dollars, and how constitutional is it anyway?”

Sadly, almost everything is considered “constitutional” since they are apparently doing it simply in order “to promote the general welfare” of we the people.

No wonder so many liberals love the nanny welfare state!

(Yes, I am stereotyping but prove me wrong)
#584921

On January 7th, 2009 at 3:02 am, graysonret said:

After the Constitution was written, many were concerned that the welfare clause-”to promote the general welfare”-could mean the government would do anything it liked, in the name of welfare; in effect, give the government unlimited power. That’s why the 10th amendment was passed. Of course, it is totally ignored today. It’s too bad that states, so willingly, give up their power to D.C., for the money.
#584952

On January 7th, 2009 at 5:06 am, WarTip said:

Amen Gray! The powers of the federal government are few and well defined! But what is forgotten are the states and the people unfortunately. Even worse; they give up their power, their rights and their liberty for money that already belongs to them.

(Can I still say “us” even though I have been out of the country for about four years now?)
#584967

On January 7th, 2009 at 6:08 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

On January 6th, 2009 at 10:25 pm, right_on said:

You’re welcome!
#584991

On January 7th, 2009 at 8:35 am, MarcoPolo said:

I think Gupta will have a lot to say about policy, and I think he was selected because he already knows how to use the media to sell his message.

He is a master of propaganda.
#584993

On January 7th, 2009 at 8:53 am, MarcoPolo said:

remember that night and it was really creepy. Talk about going out with a bang.

I didn’t realize she’d been banned, but in the “Sarah Palin Rocking Out” there were comments that both posters were black. I rmember reading that and wondering briefly if they were the same person.
#584994

On January 7th, 2009 at 8:54 am, chapoutier said:

mistressjustice was nyk?? I knew about watershed but didn’t know nyk was also an alt. Was Rusty an alt as well?

I’m not sure about that, when mj was ranting, I think that whole OH YEAH I AM ALSO SUCH AND SUCH was just tugging our chain.

And I thought I have seen nyk post since then.
#584998

On January 7th, 2009 at 9:08 am, b-cat said:

I don’t think Rusty was one of watershed’s personalities. The last I saw of Rusty, he and I were having a friendly conversation about Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top. Haven’t heard from him since. I never had a friendly conversation with any of the other names mentioned.
#585000

On January 7th, 2009 at 9:19 am, jangar said:

On January 6th, 2009 at 9:40 pm, bjc said:
*I’m ok with Dr. Gupta if the emphasis is to educate, not dictate

Unless he’s given a mandate from on high to dictate to us ignernt folk.

Think about it…this is the same guy whose face is on most every tv in most every doctor’s office waiting room, so the familiarity is already there.
#585001

On January 7th, 2009 at 9:22 am, jangar said:

I AM ALSO SUCH AND SUCH was just tugging our chain.

I remember that night…it was like reading Poe or some other sufferer of MPD.
#585004

On January 7th, 2009 at 9:26 am, jangar said:

Drinking the Koolaid is one thing, but overdosing on it leads to:

imjustsayin
ilovemycountry
mpchops
red state skeptic
lgm
edelweiss
huggybear
moonshot
#585040

On January 7th, 2009 at 9:59 am, Laree said:

Taking Questions about the Transition and Inaugural today. Beast Contributors- Feeding the Beast:)

http://youhavetobethistalltogoonthisride.blogspot.com/2009/01/tucker-carlson-ana-marie-cox-taking.html
#585065

On January 7th, 2009 at 10:13 am, DBNinKY said:

On the core health care policy issues that matter to Obama, I will bet you he’ll have little if any input.

And that’s why Obama chose him – BHO propagates diversity in all aspects of his cabinet, except in opinion.
#585069

On January 7th, 2009 at 10:15 am, DBNinKY said:

On the core health care policy issues that matter to Obama, I will bet you he’ll have little if any input.

I still think Rusty was Watershed; their writing styles were so indistinguishable -
#585090

On January 7th, 2009 at 10:32 am, chapoutier said:

Pssst…

I am secretly feebiebabe. It allows me to play out my conservative female fetish.

Don’t tell anyone.
#585134

On January 7th, 2009 at 10:54 am, jsr said:

It was a whole thing but it was learned that mistressjustice also posed as nyk, watershed and a few other posters. He/she was banned. I wish I could recall the thread in which the banning occurred but it escapes me.

I remember the lunatic rants that got her banned. I’m pretty sure she was just BSing about being those other posters. Most have a distinct personality/style that come through in their posts. She was not that clever to fake all of them, although if she was posing as other posters that is worse than creepy. More like a cyber version of Norman Bates.
#585154

On January 7th, 2009 at 11:04 am, rocketman said:

Dr. Gupta is a lot closer fit for the Surgeon General’s job than many of the other Obama choices.
***
A real surgeon with Navy service looks pretty good to me. This man also seems to have a good heart for helping people.
***
John Bibb
#585180

On January 7th, 2009 at 11:24 am, 30 pcs of silver said:

It would be helpful if I could recall the thread in which this occurred. Either way, if I am wrong about the folks mj said he was then – my bad.
#585278

On January 7th, 2009 at 12:49 pm, hawkeye54 said:

On January 6th, 2009 at 8:36 pm, Tennessee Dave said:
On January 6th, 2009 at 8:31 pm, d1carter said:
This is just a promotion from the official BO propaganda organization to the Cabinet…What is Wolf going to get?
I’ve always thought he should have a drink named after him. Imagine:
“Bartender, give me a Wolf Blitzer.”

Here is your wish – pass it on to your bartender:

Wolf Blitzer Drink Recipe

How to Make Ingredient Brands Similar Drinks Drinks with Similar Ingredients

Recipe Rating: No Votes yet.
Ingredients to use: 0.5 oz Cranberry juice
1.0 oz Grain Alcohol
0.5 oz Grape Juice

Directions: Place the cranberry and grape juice into a 3 oz tall shot glass. Pour the grain alcohol into the glass so that it floats on the juice. Shoot it all at once! May want to have some water around to put out the fire!
#585482

On January 7th, 2009 at 3:00 pm, Laree said:

Do you think he will prescribe, The Messiah, some nicotine patches? Mr Obama there is easier ways to score your nicotine fix