Stabenow not interested in HHS post

Sen. Debbie Stabenow is flattered by
speculation that she will be nominated as President Obama’s secretary of Health
and Human Services, but the Michigan Democrat has no plans to leave the upper
chamber.

Stabenow
told The Hill on Tuesday she appreciates that the National Organization for
Women recommended her for the job in the wake of former Sen. Tom Daschle’s
(D-S.D.) decision to withdraw as the HHS nominee.

{mosads}NOW
issued a release last week praising her as “a strong and consistent
advocate for universal healthcare” and suggesting that women are far
under-represented in Obama’s Cabinet.

But Stabenow said she wants to focus
on helping the manufacturing sector and enacting healthcare legislation. Asked
if her mind was closed to the possibility of leading HHS, she responded,
“Yes.”

“I’m very flattered, but I
indicated to [NOW] that I’m not interested,” she said. “I love
what I’m doing and I’d like to stay where I am.”