Posted on Thu, Feb. 19, 2009

Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius remains a finalist for secretary of Health and Human Services, although President Obama has not selected his nominee.

The New York Times reported Wednesday evening that Sebelius "is emerging as the president's top choice" for the job. It cited unnamed advisers.

A White House official said no decision had been made.

Sebelius, 60, has been mentioned for weeks as a leading candidate for a job that will be closely involved in what's expected to be an attempt at sweeping reforms in health coverage.

Sebelius could not be reached for comment Wednesday night, but her spokeswoman, Beth Martino, said she knew nothing about the renewed speculation and had not spoken to Sebelius about it.

"As far as I know, she is really focused, as is evidenced, on the budget and the economy," Martino said. "She's the governor, that's her job, and that's what she's doing."

If Sebelius were to step down, Lt. Gov. Mark Parkinson of Olathe would become governor.

Sebelius will be in Washington this weekend for the National Governors' Association meeting.

Obama's first pick for the job was former Democratic Senate leader Tom Daschle, who withdrew over his failure to pay $128,000 in taxes until he was nominated.

Other names mentioned in recent days for the Health and Human Services post are John Podesta, President Bill Clinton's former chief of staff; Jacob Lew, deputy secretary of state for management and former director of the Office of Management and Budget; and former Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber.

The Associated Press reported this week that Podesta -- who oversaw Obama's transition and was seen by some as most ready to handle the difficult job -- has told co-workers and friends that he's staying at his think tank, the Center for American Progress.

Sebelius would bring several attributes to the job, supporters said. As a Democrat, she won election as governor twice in a Republican-dominated state. She also pushed several times for significant expansion of health care coverage in Kansas, using an increase in the cigarette tax as the funding mechanism. The Republican-controlled Legislature, however, rejected those moves.

Sebelius also is a former two-term Kansas insurance commissioner intimately familiar with that industry. And she has close ties to Obama, whom she endorsed early in the presidential campaign.

Kansas Senate Majority Leader Derek Schmidt, R-Independence, said Wednesday that he was not surprised to hear Sebelius was a top candidate.

"It looks promising," he said. "She's clearly interested. The president clearly likes her. If the stars are ever going to align, this looks like the time.

"I think it would be good for Kansas to have a member of the president's Cabinet," he said.

Observers point to one major drawback: She's not a Capitol Hill veteran and hasn't worked closely with some key members of Congress.

"She's got no D.C. experience," said Joe Aistrup, a Kansas State University political scientist. "That's a big one, especially for HHS, which has a number of major issues, including the possibility of national health insurance."

Abortion opponents have said they would be concerned about the nomination of Sebelius, who last year vetoed a bill that would have strengthened enforcement of late-term abortion laws.

Cheryl Sullenger, senior policy adviser for the Wichita-based anti-abortion group Operation Rescue, said she has mixed feelings about the potential appointment.

"If she leaves Kansas, Kansas is going to be better off," Sullenger said. "But if she goes to Health and Human Services, she can be more harmful there."

Sullenger said Operation Rescue has already taken a stance against Sebelius as HHS secretary and would oppose her confirmation by the Senate.

Sen. Susan Wagle, R-Wichita, mentioned pictures of the governor with Wichita abortion provider George Tiller from a 2007 reception held at Cedar Crest, her official residence. Questions about the party and how it was paid for might arise in the nomination process, Wagle said.

Senate President Stephen Morris, R-Hugoton, said Kansas could benefit if Sebelius were to become the new secretary.

"She certainly possesses an understanding of what our state is up against," he said. "She'll bring a state's perspective."

Sebelius last year withdrew from consideration for other posts in Obama's cabinet, saying she wanted to focus on state spending "given the extraordinary budget challenges facing our state."

She just signed a bill making cuts in the current state budget and faces decisions over steep cuts in the fiscal year beginning in July.

Wagle said she would be concerned about Sebelius leaving as the Legislature begins 2010 budget negotiations. "That is not helpful to the process," she said.

In December, Sebelius said joining the Obama team would be exciting, although "my service to the citizens who elected me is my top priority in these difficult times."

Exactly when Obama will announce his nominee was unclear Wednesday, although Washington insiders said they expect an announcement within a week.

Contributing: Dion Lefler and Jeannine Koranda of The Eagle and David Goldstein of The Star