Gupta Withdraws As Surgeon General

Add another name to Obama's long list of withdrawn appointees.

CNN medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta withdrew from consideration to be the next surgeon general Thursday, with CNN and Obama Administration officials attributing his decision to personal considerations amid a campaign by some liberal interest groups to block his selection. Gupta, a neurosurgeon, said in an interview with CNN's Larry King that he withdrew so that he could spend more time with his family, continue to practice medicine and work as a journalist. Administration officials cited the same reasons.

Opposition to Gupta was rallied in Congress by Rep. John Conyers (D-MI), due to Gupta's criticisms of universal health care.