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October 20, 2014

Obama Appoints New Ebola Czar in Absence of Confirmed Surgeon General 
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The Obama administration has tapped former White House official Ron
Klain as its new "Ebola czar," coordinating the U.S. response. Klain has
previously served as chief of staff to Vice President Joe Biden. White
House Press Secretary Josh Earnest unveiled the appointment.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest: "His area of expertise is in
implementation. And that is exactly what is needed, is somebody who can
coordinate this broad, interagency response. We want to make sure that
this tenacious response is up to the standards of the American people
and up to the high standards that the president has set. And we are
confident that somebody with Mr. Klain's management credentials, both
inside government and outside government."

Klain is in the position in part because the United States has no
surgeon general. President Obama's nominee, Dr. Vivek Murthy, has been
held up for months after opposition from the National Rifle Association
over his support for gun control.

 

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