[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Replace Mandernach

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Replace Mandernach
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1183339982.shtml


   I have some sympathy for embattled Minnesota Health Commissioner Diane
   Mandernach. Accepted bureaucratic and regulatory practice is to be
   slow to react. Exceptions like Mike Hatch who premature rushed to a
   microphone draw immediate fire and often are later embarrassed when
   the final facts don't support the claims.
   Maybe I'm rushing to judgment, but what I see and hear tells me that
   Commissioner Mandernach probably needs to resign. The evidence appears
   to have been significant and reliable enough to question why the
   information was withheld. I see no evidence of malice or being
   beholden to industry, just bad judgment.
   Her claim that she was waiting to develop a more complete
   presentation, specifically to include action plans and recommendations
   doesn't work. It's not her job, at least not her job alone. Put the
   problem in play for all the players to consider - the employers, the
   unions, health care providers, and the government.
   Mandernach illustrates why Pawlenty's appointment of Steve Sviggum as
   Commissioner of Labor and Industry is so correct. Department heads in
   government must have proven political experience, and at the level
   required. U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales illustrates why.
   It isn't fair, but its why no matter how competent in your field, you
   can't hope to succeed on that alone. Dr. Cheri Yecke was probably the
   best Education Commissioner in recent memory yet an easy victim for
   Senators who once again put the needs of their union contributors
   ahead of Minnesota's school children. Current Commissioner Alice
   Seagren seems to know precious little by comparison, but she's
   politically competent.
   Sometime before the Legislature convenes next year, Pawlenty would do
   well to thank Diane Mandernach for her service and find a poltically
   able replacement to run the Health Department. This is doubly
   important now, for one of the few battles Pawlenty lost was over
   health care funding, again well out of control thanks to the DFL.