Monday, March 2, 2009
President Barack Obama plans to officially introduce Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius as his secretary of health and human services today.
Should Sebelius be confirmed, she will step down as governor of Kansas and pass the position on to Lieutenant Governor Mark Parkinson. Parkinson was formerly a member of the Republican Party, until he switched to the Democratic Party in order to run on Sebelius’ ticket.
Andrew Toth, Colby sophomore and president of KU Young Democrats, said although the nomination was a good step for Sebelius, it would be a step backward for Kansas.
“The chances of a Democratic governor being elected in Kansas again are very slim,” he said. “All that she’s worked for as a Democrat with a Republican Congress may be undone.”
The Associated Press reported that if Sebelius accepted the nomination, the tasks ahead of her would be daunting. High on the agenda as secretary of HHS would be handling the health care system overhaul, taking care of finances in Medicare and fixing lapses in food safety.
Sebelius has eight years of experience as insurance commissioner of Kansas, and the AP said she won praise from several Republican governors and from the chairman of the Senate panel.
Sebelius recently signed the 2009 budget for Kansas, an issue she said in December she wouldn’t abandon.
— — Edited by Grant Treaster
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