There are three big reasons President Obama should nominate Howard Dean to fill the position of Secretary of HHS, and those reasons all reflect on why we can celebrate, albeit respectfully, Tom Daschle's downfall.

First, of course, is that Howard Dean is Dr Howard Dean. He has spent much of his life as a general practioner, including most of the time he served as Vermont's governor. Not only did he remain in that non-lucrative field, he did so in a small city where he was assured of not becoming rich. For a kid who grew up in New York City and had the opportunity to seek wealth on Wall Street, the decision to dedicate his career to helping ordinary people with basic health care and education demonstrates a quality of character the Daschle fiasco was lacking. Tom Daschle is probably a good person, but his post-Senate career can be summarized in part by the sad phrase, "take the money and run" (or drive, in his case).

Dr Dean? Has remained in public service until recently. I expect he'll make a few quid speaking and such, but I also believe he'll continue to fight for the political change he has worked so passionately for since 2002, when he began his quest for the White House — and changed the nation forever.

Second, Howard Dean gets the job done. In Vermont, he was able to get health care passed, coverage for every non-adult in the state. As Chair of the DNC, his job was to get Democrats elected and re-build the party. He did so with a vengeance. In four years, the Democratic Party went from traitorous outcasts — in no small part thanks to the timidity and other failings of Daschle as Senate Majority Leader — to winning back the White House and taking a dominant position in the Congress. 45 states now are either solidly, significantly or trending Democrat, a national readjustment of party affiliation that has brought the GOP to the brink of irrelevancy. Dean's 50-State Strategy has proven brilliant; it's exactly what the Obama campaign followed to win the White House.

As Secretary of HHS, Dr Dean's job won't be to win a partisan political victory, but it may prove to be even more difficult: completely revamp how health care is provided in this country. Changing voters' minds is relatively simple, especially with a horrifically unpopular president and a sinking economy. Overcoming powerful money interests? But Dr Dean has proven he has the smarts, the tenacity, the organizational skills and, not to be overlooked, the personal charisma to lead this essential change. If we don't begin moving to a sane health care delivery policy — and that means health care, not insurance provision — no economic recovery can succeed. And Dr Dean has the chops for this job.

Third, Howard Dean understands progressive change. It's not about the policy; it's about the people working to make the change happen. Yes, he'll need to work with the Congress, the interest groups, etc. But Pres Obama noted throughout the campaign, and continues to emphasize, the only way change is going to happen is if "ordinary" Americans get involved and push the change. That's the purpose of "Campaign for America," the organization into which the Obama campaign has evolved since November. In keeping the campaign mechanism moving forward, Obama has shown himself to be on the same page as Dr Dean. Together, as President and HHS Secretary, they could accomplish a great and vital goal: real health care change that brings care to all Americans.

Of course, Dean's enemies and doubters will move to block his nomination and try to have another wetwipe appointed. Rahm Emanuel, in particular, who still believes he was responsible for the House victories of 2006 and 2008, will probably shoot down any attempt to name Dean to anything. Those of us who support Howard Dean have been left incredulous as to why he has been completely ignored since Obama's victory. No one outside of the Obama campaign had more to do with last year's victories, and he was rewarded with silence and absence? It's bizarre, but that can be remedied quickly.

Pres Obama: Please nominate Dr Howard Dean to be your next Secretary of Health and Human Services. You'll find no better candidate, no matter where or how hard you look. He will be the partner you are looking for in the work to fix American health care, because no one else understands, or can deliver, the most vital element of the change you seek: millions of able and active citizens.