Interesting

Maybe this is just a coincidence. Then again, I can’t recall three nominees for positions in an incoming administration (or two nominees and a rumor) all withdrawing on the same day before.

Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, has told network officials will not leave his television career to become the U.S. Surgeon General, according to sources familiar with his decision.

Gupta, who had been described as the leading candidate for the public health post, withdrew his name even as President Obama hosted a health care summit at the White House today that Gupta did not attend.

The decision means that the often low-profile job will not get a mass-media jolt from appointing the well-known television celebrity. Gupta, a neurosurgeon who continues to practice medicine, has become ubiquitous on CNN, where he hosts a half-hour show called “House Call “and appears on numerous other programs.

Gupta was never officially nominated, so he is the rumor. Now, what to make of this:

Two candidates for top positions at the Treasury Department have withdrawn from consideration, according to people familiar with the matter.

Annette Nazareth, who was expected to be tapped as deputy secretary, has taken her name out of the running, these people said.

In addition, Mr. Geithner’s pick for undersecretary for international affairs, Caroline Atkinson, has also withdrawn.

One has to wonder about this. People are, apparently, disassociating themselves from the Obama administration. Maybe it is just a huge pay cut for Gupta as the first article implies. Maybe it is just the protracted vetting process as the other article implies. Maybe it is just a coincidence.

On the other hand, the best way to avoid being accused of deserting a sinking ship is to avoid getting on it in the first place.

Via Memeorandum