WASHINGTON — Facing criticism over his surgeon general nominee, President Obama is reevaluating his strategy and considering delaying a vote on Vivek H. Murthy, a doctor at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and longtime Obama ally.
The shift in strategy -- which could scuttle the nomination altogether -- comes as Murthy has been the target of criticism by Republicans, some conservative Democrats, and opposition by the National Rifle Association. The lobbying campaign illustrates the muscle of outside groups being able to dim the prospects of a nominee who many initially believed would be confirmed.
The position of surgeon general is strictly advisory, providing a health-advocate-in-chief for the administration. But virtually all nominees in today’s toxic Washington environment, regardless of how little power they have, are subject to the ideological battles that have paralyzed the Capitol.
Toxic for everyone but Wall Street, the war machine, well-connected corporations, and Israel.
Murthy has been an advocate for the president’s health overhaul law as well as gun control, which have been the flashpoints for the opposition.
A senior White House official told the Globe on Saturday the president’s team was readjusting its strategy after the defeat of Debo P. Adegbile, who Obama nominated to lead the Justice Department’s civil rights division. In that case, the White House was caught off guard by the lack of Democratic support after criticism rose over his legal defense of Mumia Abu-Jamal, who appealed a death sentence for killing a Philadelphia police officer.
Related: CPAC Picks Paul Again
“Vivek was approved out of Committee with bipartisan support, but after the Debo vote, we are recalibrating the strategy around his floor vote,” the White House official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations. “We expect him to ultimately get confirmed and be one of the country’s most powerful messengers on health and wellness.”
Murthy, a 36-year-old from Brookline, would be the first Indian-American to become the nation’s top doctor if he is confirmed. He declined comment through his employer, Brigham and Women’s, which said he would not provide comments to the media until after his nomination process is complete.
His increasingly shaky prospects have been the subject of news reports in recent days, as the NRA has ratcheted up its opposition.
Republicans have focused on Murthy’s issues advocacy. He founded Doctors for America, a national organization of 16,000 doctors and medical students that has advocated for the Affordable Care Act and gun control.
Because of changes in Senate rules, his confirmation would only require a simple majority. If all Democrats voted in favor, he would be confirmed. But Democrats are worried that senators from conservative states facing reelection will face pressure. A Senate leadership aide said Saturday that party leaders are still trying to figure out how many defections they have. One who has come out publicly as leaning against the nomination is Senator Mark Begich of Alaska.
The NRA is especially influential in the states where democrats are facing their toughest challenges in this year’s elections, including Alaska, Louisiana, Arkansas, and North Carolina.
One Republican, Mark Kirk of Illinois, voted in favor of the nomination in committee in February.
The leadership aide said that no vote has been scheduled and the White House “is not pushing for a vote in the near future.”
Then I was lied to again!
During Murthy’s confirmation hearing last month before the Senate’s Health Education, Labor & Pensions committee, several Republican senators did raise concerns about his positions on gun control and health care....
Among those speaking against were Senator Lamar Alexander, a Republican of Tennessee, Senator Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican. He has the support of the two Massachusetts senators. Senator Elizabeth Warren formally introduced Murthy during his confirmation hearing last month.
Markey's statement was omitted from the web version for some strange reason.
Senator Rand Paul, the Kentucky Republican, last month put a procedural hurdle on the confirmation by placing a hold on it. Paul cited Murthy’s past political activity.
“I have serious concerns about Dr. Murthy’s ability to impartially serve as ‘the Nation’s Doctor,’” Paul wrote in a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. “The majority of Dr. Murthy’s non-clinical experience is in political advocacy.”
Time to reload the CPAC link.
