The Nation’s Chris Hayes on Obama’s Gupta Pick

The Nation’s Chris Hayes on Obama’s Gupta Pick

The Nation’s Chris Hayes on Obama’s Gupta Pick

The Nation‘s Chris Hayes discusses Obama’s controversial choice of Sanjay Gupta for Surgeon General.

Facebook
Twitter
Email
Flipboard
Pocket

Chris Hayes, Washington editor of The Nation, appeared on Countdown with Keith Olbermann this week to discuss the recent appointment of Dr. Sanjay Gupta to the role of Surgeon General. Hayes explained why the appointment has stoked such reticence, and how the nomination, though largely symbolic, may face opposition in Congress. From veteran universal healthcare champion Rep. John Conyers to Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman, many have balked at the nomination of Gupta over a few issues, principal of which is his anemic stance on universal healthcare.

Additionally, Gupta’s on-air assertion that Michael Moore had “fudged” some facts in his film Sicko was proven wholly untrue, a misstep that has come back to haunt the neurosurgeon and CNN personality of late. As Hayes explained, underlying initial resistance to Gupta’s appointment is part of a broader, “real frustration” with the tendency of the administration to to withhold critique when dealing with well-liked members of the Washington establishment.

UPDATE:

Chris Hayes misspoke on Countdown when he identified California Rep. Pete Stark as an advocate of single payer healthcare. To read his correction, check out this blog post.

Marissa Colón-Margolies

Check out more great Nation videos on our YouTube channel.

Can we count on you?

In the coming election, the fate of our democracy and fundamental civil rights are on the ballot. The conservative architects of Project 2025 are scheming to institutionalize Donald Trump’s authoritarian vision across all levels of government if he should win.

We’ve already seen events that fill us with both dread and cautious optimism—throughout it all, The Nation has been a bulwark against misinformation and an advocate for bold, principled perspectives. Our dedicated writers have sat down with Kamala Harris and Bernie Sanders for interviews, unpacked the shallow right-wing populist appeals of J.D. Vance, and debated the pathway for a Democratic victory in November.

Stories like these and the one you just read are vital at this critical juncture in our country’s history. Now more than ever, we need clear-eyed and deeply reported independent journalism to make sense of the headlines and sort fact from fiction. Donate today and join our 160-year legacy of speaking truth to power and uplifting the voices of grassroots advocates.

Throughout 2024 and what is likely the defining election of our lifetimes, we need your support to continue publishing the insightful journalism you rely on.

Thank you,
The Editors of The Nation

Ad Policy
x