Rep. Jim Ramstad’s name is bouncing around as a possible “drug czar” — the name given the head of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy. Ramstad, a Minnesota Republican, is in recovery himself and has been a longtime proponent of treatment for drug abuse…
…”It’s gratifying to hear Jim’s name being mentioned for drug czar,” said Ramstad spokesman Dean Peterson. “Jim has worked in a bipartisan way for 27 years on anti-drug efforts in Congress and the Minnesota Senate. And as a recovering person, he’s worked every day to help those suffering the ravages of chemical addiction.”
Judging from Ramstad’s office’s warm response, I’d guess that the soon-to-be-former Congressman would be interested in the job. Here’s hoping he gets it. Not only would Ramstad do a great job, it’d take away the MN GOP’s strongest non-Pawlenty gubernatorial candidate.
It would be nice to have a drug czar who understands the benefits of treatment and could move drug policy in the US forward in a positive way. Ramstad would be an excellent choice, and I hope he gets serious consideration.
True. Unless he is able to fill the roll for a year or so and then jump in to the gubernatorial race. If that happens his time working for the Obama administration in a public safety roll might make him unbeatable.
I hope he gets the post either way. He is a decent guy who would likely be a good advocate for treatment as the first option.
I’ve always had tremendous respect for Congressman Ramstad. He’s a class act, and his first hand experience would make him an excellent choice for Drug Czar. Would he make a good Governor, though? He’s always had a light touch, working behind the scenes and never hogging the limelight - all good qualities, but not necessarily the commanding presence suited for a Governor.
I had respect for Cong. Ramstad - and had voted for him in the past - but….his support of Erik Paulsen has left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Now, frankly, he’s just another partisan GOP’er, nothing more, nothing less.
The position of “drug czar” gets so politicized due to congressional action and executive branch leanings. I wonder if Rep. Ramstad would be a better fit at the director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH)?
I hope he finds a good job in the administration doing something he cares about. He’s a good guy, and was a good member of Congress.
Ramstad sponsored a $235,000. earmark for Teen Challenge:
http://earmarks.omb.gov/2008-earmarks/earmark_328614.html
MNTC believes Harry Potter, Pokemon, and Halloween are satanic gateways in to drug addiction:
http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2008/10/bachmann_donate.php
That would be a fantastic job for him. He’s a Republican but he’s smart on drug policy. I hope he’s offered and takes it.
While dealing with massive budget deficits every two years is probably a pain, it is unlikely that the Governor wouldn’t run again in 2010. It’s a lot more expensive to run for higher office on your own dime and you don’t get all the free media exposure either.
Given Rammer’s reasons for leaving Congress (the grind, the wear and tear), I would think that the Govoernorship would only make that worse. You’d trade the weekly travel for being the Executive of a state. It is alot harder to find freetime as one of 435 Congresspeople than as the sole Executive of a state.
I respect Rammer, but I think he deserves retirment. I think I read that he is teaching a course at Harvard. That is what I think retirement should be.
What I just wrote contradicts my wishes. I hope he runs if Pawlenty doesn’t.
Guess what folks, the Drug Czar is two parts, one is a law enforcement policy position.
All of Jim’s ‘atta boys’ belong in either a division of Health and Human Services or in research over at NIH.
His expertise on recovery and rehabilitation are better served in one of the above positions or, as a deputy in this Cabinet position like the Deputy Director of ONDCP. He just doesn’t have the experience to do half of the job which is to stop the supply of drugs.
There is a guy who was the Director of the Clandestine Services for the CIA until last year. He was in the field in the Central and South America throughout the 80’s and 90’s executing operations (the highpoint of drug trade and cartel arming). Regardless of what you think of those operations and the CIA, this guy is best suited to put some teeth back into slowing the importation of drugs into our country.
Obama has better connections and selections than the Rammer afterall he led programs that helped people recover. I’m sure he knows some pretty effective leaders.
I for one think Jim is not as offensive as some of the Republicans but, am not impressed with his partisanship both in his last three terms (privatizing Social Security, preaching the Iraq War has made the world safer), as well as his lying about the pragmatism of Erik Paulsen.
Obama can and will do better.
“Obama can and will do better.”
What s/he said.
To be fair to Jim, he was a criminal justice attorney prior to being elected to Congress. Not as sexy as “clandestine CIA operative”, but it is not like the guy has no experience in understanding crime and the law.
He is also a Constitutional Law professor, which is mighty en vogue for a politican these days.
I was unaware of that Dan. You sure you’re not confusing him with his sister Sheryl.
Definately true. Now, this all happened 20+ years ago, when he was a state legislator (his full time job was as the attorney) so it’s been a while, but it is definately on his resume.
So a couple of years as a prosecutor 24 years ago qualifies him for a national spot? No.
I was a teacher years back. I would have to jump through a lot of hoops to regain my certification. What would Ramstad have to do to regain his currency in his field (lawyer, prosecutor)? Just asking, because I do not know.
The irony, you have to admit, is that you’re now suddenly talking about how important experience is, and dissecting the finer points of Ramstad’s experience for the Drug Czar role. Hey folks — Barack Obama is the President-elect. Experience is a secondary but not a primary requirement for high office nowadays.
I’m going to shut-up, though, because I’d personally have Rammer be my Governor if TPaw doesn’t run again.
DTM, there is no irony here.
Who said Obama didn’t have the right experience? Experience matters and Obama had the right experience to run our government. He’s proving it so far by hiring the best people, rather they supported him or not, to fill leadership positions. Its a 180 degree difference from the folks currently on their way out. Think Justice Department and the job of one Monica Goodling
McCain had the wrong experience. You conservatives need to understand that longevity does not equal experience. Ramstad has experience but, he does not have the right experience for this job. Get it?
Your logic would have us hiring George Bush the first for President. He was a Congressman, Director of the CIA, Special Envoy to China (that be Red China), eight years as Vice President overseeing the fall of the Soviet Empire, four years at actually being President and leading us through and out of a war with Iraq as well as a recession. That’s experience.
— —
SWD, according to the state, Jim Ramstad status is what’s called ‘VOLUNTARILY RESTRICTED (BY CHOICE)’. He’s paid up to date (September 08) as well. I don’t know where or when he took CLE classes but, he’s in a position to practice law again almost immediately.
“Experience matters and Obama had the right experience to run our government.”
Barack Obama won convincingly. He is the leader that a majority of Americans want right now. He was elected for alot of reasons, most of them very good reasons. But having the right experience to run our Government was surely not one of them. We’re taking a flier on Obama. We’ll only know if it was worth it in a couple years. He isn’t even the President yet.
There. Enough. This thread isn’t even about Obama. Ramstad for Governor!