Vermont: Obama

The Washington Times, of all newspapers, has a story today on what former Gov. Howard Dean plans to be doing, now that he's no longer head of the Democratic National Committee and won't be Obama's Secretary of Health and Human Services.

You've heard some it before. He's going to be an advisor to a huge international consulting firm and promoting health care reform. But, he tells the WTimes, he's also into alternative energy and getting the generals at DoD involved. Check out this paragraph from the story:

Mr. Dean said he couldn't talk about the alternative energy projects he's working on, but hinted at some top secret news on a "breakthrough" he is working to get into the Defense Department: "There are some extraordinary inventions out there being moved forward.

Chances are we'll all be seeing more of former Gov. Howard Dean around town now than we might have thought -- and he might have wished.

Huffington Post's Ben Stein is reporting that Dean, who recently stepped down as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, plans to be an active part of the Democracy For America grassroots activist organization based in South Burlington that evolved out of his Dean For America presidential campaign in 2004.

"I'll be most interested in their health care stuff," the physician-turned-politician told Stein. "Not only pushing for a health care bill but for one with meaningful reform." For a full read of the HP item, click

Gov. Jim Douglas will site in the presidential box in the balcony of the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday night as President Barack Obama delivers his first speech to Congress.

Anybody jealous?

“It is a great honor and privilege to accept the President’s invitation,” said Douglas, a Republican. "I appreciate his efforts to reach out to governors of both parties as we work together to bring our nation through these extraordinary times.”

Douglas has been in D.C. for the winter meeting of the National Governor’s Association. He's vice chairman. Although that meeting ended today, he's chairman of a subcommittee working on health information technology that meets Tuesday.

Howard Dean might not be welcome in the Obama administration, but he is apparently welcome back home in Burlington. Which probably means, welcome back and help us raise some more money.

His friends back here are holding a welcome back party for him Feb. 21 at the Burlington home of Liz & Eric Miller.

The event is billed as a reception honoring Dean and the success of his 50-state strategy as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.

- Terri Hallenbeck