Opinion: Sebelius says goodbye

Jennifer Hutchinson is a freshman political science major and columnist for the Daily Kent Stater. Contact her at [email protected].

After her undeniably turbulent year, Kathleen Sebelius has resigned as President Obama’s Health and Human Services Secretary. As she says goodbye to her Cabinet position, she is also very likely departing from the political world altogether.

Once the former Governor of Kansas, Sebelius showed vice president potential. However, she is now the face of one of the most controversial policies in United States history.

With a less than impressive — and that’s being kind — end to her career, Sebelius’ future political endeavors do not look promising. Kansas has never supported Obamacare. Therefore any chance of Sebelius running for governor again is out of the question.

Another route would be to run for the Senate. However, jumping into the senatorial race against Republican Pat Roberts seems not only illogical, but almost impossible this late in the game. Even waiting until Roberts’ 2016 reelection would not end successfully for Sebelius.

No matter what the position, Sebelius’ reputation is tarnished for some time to come. It looks like another victim has fallen to the Obama administration. A longtime supporter of Barack Obama, she was a vital endorsement during his 2008 campaign.

However, during the failed rollout of the healthcare website, Obama placed blame on Sebelius for its complications. While Sebelius was thrown under the bus in order for President Obama to further his own agenda, it’s at least comforting to know someone is being held responsible for this turmoil.

I honestly feel bad for Kathleen Sebelius.

As Eric Cantor (R-Va.) said, “I thank Secretary Sebelius for her service. She had an impossible task: nobody can make Obamacare work.”

Overall, it appears that Sebelius threw her career away on a policy not nearly worth it. Sylvia Burwell, director of the Office of Management and Budget, is set to replace Secretary Sebelius.

Burwell has nothing short of a mess to take on. Americans are facing rising costs, losing their doctors, and an economy weighed down by destructive regulations.

No matter who’s in charge, Obamacare will continue to hurt Americans.