Petrelis Files

AIDS Czarina Dr. Gayle Gave
Obama $6K, $5K to Dems

The White House announced this week that the former head of CDC's HIV prevention division, the very respected and credentialed Dr. Helene Gayle, would take over as chair of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. The release explained what the council does:

[It] provides advice, information, and recommendations to the Secretary of Health and Human Service and the President regarding programs and policies intended to promote effective prevention of HIV disease, to advance research on HIV and AIDS, and to promote quality services to persons living with HIV and AIDS. The role of the Council is solely advisory. The Secretary provides the President with copies of all written reports provided to the Secretary by the Council.

Though I've been a critic of her when she was at the CDC, I've always had the utmost respect for Gayle's intelligence and the passion she brings to stopping HIV and providing services for the HIV poz community. I'm actually pleased she'll head up this council and expect Gayle will provide expert national leadership, as President Obama creates new AIDS policies for the nation.

That being said, I want to sunshine Gayle's donations to Obama and Democratic Party committees and candidates. I don't want this sunshining interpreted to in any way suggest her donations led to her appointment, or that there has been any sort of payback by the Democrats to her. It's just I think we need this sort Federal Election Commission info transparent and known, as Gayle begins serving Obama and America.

According to FEC files available at Newsmeat.com, Gayle has contributed $6,000 since 2004, when she gave Obama $1,000 for his Senate campaign. And since 1992, she has donated $5,050 to Democrats other than Obama.

Gayle's total of $11,050 in donations, spread out over almost two decades, is probably considered quite small in the world of Big Party politics, and simply must be noted in the public blogosphere.

Finally, I look forward to giving Gayle some advice, in writing and in person, once she commences public meetings in her new role. Welcome back to government service, Dr. Gayle!