Hotline After Dark -- Your Love Is Like Good Medicine

A number of Dr. Sanjay Gupta's colleagues at CNN responded positively to the news that Pres.-elect Obama offered Gupta the job of surgeon general.

CNN's Henry: "Dr. Gupta, while he's not commenting publicly, is very interested in this privately, to the point that my colleague John King is reporting that he has approached both CNN and CBS News, where he also does some work, to try and get out of his contracts. And I should note that CNN has put out a statement tonight saying -- quote -- 'CNN has made sure that his on-air reporting has been on health and wellness matters, and not on health care policy or any matters involving the new administration.'"

Henry, on the Obama admin. wanting to reinvent the role of surgeon general: "For the most part, surgeon general, it's a bully pulpit. ... You don't usually have a seat at the policy table. What we're told is that, in private, people like Tom Daschle, the incoming health secretary, have been very blunt and direct in trying to recruit Dr. Gupta, and saying, look, you are going to have a seat at the table in helping to use your expertise to craft whatever health care reform legislation Barack Obama ends up unveiling ... in the first 100 days. ... Number two, that you will have a big role as well in trying to sell this, not only to the American people, but to the Congress" ("No Bias, No Bull," 1/6).

CNN's Blitzer: "He can probably convince the president-elect to quit smoking. That's one of his great passions" ("Situation Room," 1/6).

After the jump, more Gupta, the Burris battle continues and Paterson addresses Kennedy rumors.

(KATHERINE LEHR)

CNN's Cafferty: "You think we could get like free flu shots? ... That's arguably the best appointment, if he takes it, that President-elect Obama has made so far" ("Situation Room," 1/6).

Dem strategist Hilary Rosen: "Whoever thought of it in the Obama team should be commended for this reason. One of the major issues you have in the area of public health, really, is communicating. ... Somebody like Sanjay who both has the medical experience but really is fantastic at communicating. I think that's a perfect combination for the surgeon general" ("Situation Room," 1/6).

CNN's Toobin: "I feel nationally more healthy already knowing that he's going to be surgeon general" ("AC 360," 1/6).

IS THIS SEAT TAKEN?

Meanwhile, talk of the Senate battle involving ex-IL AG Roland Burris (D) continued.

Burris atty Willis Ritter, on the next step: "We filed today an additional motion in the Illinois Supreme Court to urge them to expedite their hearing of our original motion on the ground that the Senate's action this morning makes is critical, if Illinois is to have representation in the Senate, that the Supreme Court act immediately in order the secretary of state Jesse White to countersign the credential, and let's get on with it" ("On the Record," FNC, 1/6).

CNN's Toobin, on Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) saying Burris should be seated: "Today was a reminder of the great old Will Rogers line: 'I am not a member of any organized political party. I'm a Democrat'" ("No Bias, No Bull," 1/6).

Time's Cox, on whether Feinstein calling for Burris to be seated means he is closer to joining the Senate: "Nothing is done yet. But I think it is looking more and more like he will be seated if only because I think the Obama people and the leadership of the Senate kind of just wants this to go away" ("Rachel Maddow Show," MSNBC, 1/6).

FNC's Hume: "The Democrats, eager to show contempt for the alleged lawlessness of Rod Blagojevich, now seem to have acted lawlessly repeatedly themselves. The best way out of this is for Burris to be seated and soon. After all, the flap over his appointment is the only thing keeping the Blagojevich case in the national headlines right now" ("Special Report," 1/6).

GOP strategist Rich Galen: "The Black Caucus in the House, even Charlie Rangel, who can get up on his high horse literally, ... there wasn't that outcry that you would normally get from the Black Caucus when they think that a black person is being dealt with unfairly. And that kind of surprised me a little bit" ("Situation Room," 1/6).

NOBODY PUTS DAVID IN A CORNER

And during an interview with ABC's Moran, NY Gov. David Paterson (D) was asked about the rumors that he will appoint Caroline Kennedy to the NY SEN seat.

Paterson, on critics saying the only reason Kennedy has a shot is because of her name: "I think that that probably applies to a lot of others who are serving with great deal of distinction from New York. And you have to look at the world from my perspective, the biggest argument against Senator Hillary Clinton was that she wasn't even a resident of New York when she wanted to run and hadn't held any public office. And now what people say about Hillary is that nobody can take her place. So the question will be, who will be the selectee that would most make you think of Senator Hillary Clinton in about eight years?"

Moran: "There are reports of Kennedy allies seeking to muscle others out of the running and force Paterson's hand."

Paterson: "I am not going to be coerced. I am not going to be unduly persuaded. And I'm not going to be pushed around" ("Nightline," 1/6).