Dean Downplays Obama Rift, Dodges HHS Questions

Former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Howard Dean played down reported rifts between him and members of the Obama administration, coyly dodging questions about whether he’d be receptive to becoming Secretary of Health and Human Services.

“I think people make too much of this kind of stuff,” Dean told Chris Wallace of Fox News when asked about the reported tensions between Dean and White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel and other Obama officials. “I don’t like to play the inside Washington game — I am going to say very active on the political scene.”

Dean refused to say whether he would entertain an appointment to lead Health and Human Services, a job for which Dean’s congressional allies have lobbied.

“Well, that’s not my call. The president gets to choose his own candidate, and I support that very much,” Dean said, throwing out the name of the oft-mentioned candidate, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius (D).

Dean did not deny interest in the position, either: “As you know, you don’t run for these things.”

Dean also reported there was no snub during Obama’s announcement of Dean’s DNC successor, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, for which Dean was not present; he was visiting American Samoa.

Watch a video of Dean’s appearance below: