Howard Zucker seems to be an ideal candidate to serve as a top deputy secretary of health at the Department of Health and Human Services. He’s already a deputy assistant secretary for health, science technology and medicine, and when one considers his background, Zucker’s credentials are extraordinary. Of course, the Bush White House isn’t concerned with credentials; they’re only concerned with politics.
Let’s see, Zucker is a well-trained and well-regarded pediatric cardiologist and anesthesiologist. He was so advanced, he earned his medical degree at the age of 22 before going on to also get a law degree. He’s worked with NASA astronauts at MIT designing experiments for the space shuttle, served as a White House fellow, and has taken a leadership role in confronting healthcare problems in Iraq and Afghanistan.
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson now wants Zucker to get promoted and serve as a top health official at the agency. The White House is blocking the move because of a situation from four years ago that Bush aides believe raises questions about Zucker’s qualifications.
So, what’s the scandal? Zucker donated $2,000 to the Democratic Party in 2000. This, in the minds of those at Bush’s White House, is enough to disqualify him from his promotion.
The White House has refused to promote a key official at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) who has worked on healthcare problems confronting Iraq and Afghanistan because he contributed to the Democratic Party four years ago, The Hill has learned…. Bush administration officials say Zucker’s ascent at HHS has been halted because he donated $2,000 to the Democratic National Committee in October, 2000.
Sources say HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson wants to name Zucker, 45, as one of his top deputy secretaries of health. But the White House has refused to approve the appointment, which does not require Senate confirmation. An HHS source said Zucker’s promotion has been on hold for over a year.
Remember all that talk from Bush four years ago about his experience in “bringing Democrats and Republicans together” and being a “uniter, not a divider”?
Neither do I.
Ironically, Zucker is not a die-hard Dem partisan. In fact, despite contributing to the DNC four years ago, Zucker started contributing to Bush after accepting a position under Thompson.
After joining HHS, Zucker contributed to President Bush on three separate occasions, totaling $925.
Of course, that’s not good enough for this White House, where consistent and blind loyalty to Republicans is more than just encouraged, it’s demanded.
Indeed, in the eyes of Bush and his aides, applicants for federal positions need not worry about their background or qualifications; they need only concern themselves with their donor history.
Over the past four years, White House officials have scrutinized candidates for top healthcare positions. One GOP candidate described the interview process as mostly designed to “see how much of a Republican you are.”
So, what’s the White House’s defense for such obvious lunacy?
The White House did not return phone calls seeking comment.
No, of course not.