Many were surprised when Obama didn't tap Howard Dean for a place in his administration--Health and Human Services or even Surgeon General would've seemed a natural fit for the Vermont doctor. But being outside the administration has allowed Dean to be a loud, progressive voice for a better health care plan, and he spent plenty of time making the media rounds this year doing just that. Back in July, Dean joined us at GRITtv to talk about what he'd do with health care if he were in charge. We wrote then:

Threats to private healthcare insurers? Single payer leading to socialism? As the House and Senate move further in on their dissection of healthcare reform, GRITtv had our own house call from Dr. Howard Dean. Along with medical service and 12 years as the Governor of Vermont, Dr. Dean is continuing to expand his resume to not only author and DNC chair, but also as chair of the Progressive Book Club, which you can join here. Out with a new book, Howard Dean’s Prescription for Real Healthcare Reform: How We Can Achieve Affordable Medical Care for Every American and Make Our Jobs Safer, Dean discusses why we shouldn't be worried about private insurers, how "Americans are conservative with a small 'c' and how there are Americans living abroad who actually like a single payer plan. Who knew?