HHS Secretary Says He’s Learning ‘the Hard Way’ About New Position
HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson says he has learned "the hard way" about talking to the media after "straying" from the White House line last week on two "touchy" issues -- tobacco regulation and stem cell research, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. Last week, Thompson told the Wall Street Journal that he supported a plan that would allow the FDA to regulate tobacco products, saying, "I think it would be the right thing to do. ... We have to do more regulation, yes." President Bush, however, has not taken a "formal position" on the issue. In addition, during an address at the NIH last Wednesday, Thompson told reporters that scientists should continue to submit applications for embryonic stem cell research funding, even though the Bush administration may "derail the grants." While Thompson did "not exactly ... break" with the administration's position, he "wad[ed] into highly controversial waters," with advocates on both sides "watching intently" for an indication of Bush's plans. "I was out front of the president," Thompson admitted, adding, "I've learned the hard way already. You can't be quite as direct as I was as governor because the interpretation of what you say can be misconstrued and have a tremendous impact." The Journal Sentinel reports that Thompson's comments prompted a reaction from the White House, which has "put a premium on the need for its troops to stay on message." Bob Wood, Thompson's chief of staff, said, "Did they seek clarification? Yes. Is he in the doghouse or are they miffed? No."
No Budget 'Complaints'
Thompson called his move to HHS "a big adjustment," adding that "nothing had quite prepared him" for the "sheer sweep" of the department, which has more than 300 programs and the largest budget behind the Department of Defense. "It's absolutely gargantuan. I never anticipated that it would be this difficult and so all-encompassing," Thompson said, adding, "Every day I'm getting more accustomed to being secretary rather than a governor. Every day it's getting a little bit easier for me to make some headway. I'm not there, but as you know, I'm a workaholic, and will be on top of that agency and know it all from bottom to top. We work until 11:30 p.m. every night." In addition, Thompson said that he had "no complaints" about the "tough dictates" of Bush's newly unveiled budget package. While the proposal would boost HHS' budget by about 5%, the Journal Sentinel reports that the jump, "entirely due" to a "hefty" 13% increase in NIH funding, provides no added spending for the rest of the department. "The president, I think, treated me fairly," Thompson said, adding, "We argued hard. We fought back. We came up with some arguments that I think helped solve some of the rough areas" (Gilbert, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 3/3).
