Clinton's Surgeon General Nominee Should Be Confirmed
WASHINGTON, D.C.: TIME science correspondent Dick Thompson reports that Dr.
David Satcher, President Clinton's nominee for surgeon general, is a first rate
scientist who should easily cruise to confirmation. "It's dead locked certain,"
Thompson says. "He should be very good in his roles because he is a fantastic
scientist -- so good in fact, he will stun people." Despite his qualification,
Thompson adds that Satcher, who has directed the Centers for Disease Control
since 1993, should not be expected to reinvigorate an office which has declined
in importance over the years. "At the moment, there isn't a crisis big enough to
make that position stand out," he says. Where will Satcher shine? As assistant
secretary of health, a powerful position he demanded before accepting the
unglamorous nomination of surgeon general.