When he wanted to launch a public education campaign on the science of stem-cell research, he was told he couldn't.
"I was blocked at every turn, told the decision had already been made. Stand down, don't talk about it," he said.
[Former US Surgeon General Richard] Carmona said that throughout his term, his speeches were edited and talking points were provided by political appointees. President Bush was to be mentioned at least three times per page for example.
Carmona said his travel was also carefully monitored. After he issued a report on the health of those with disabilities, he was invited to speak to a group affiliated with the Special Olympics.
"I put in my paperwork to go to this meeting where I was going to give the keynote addresses … and I was admonished for doing that," Carmona said. "And the reason I was admonished for doing this is, unfortunately, I was told I would be helping a politically prominent family…. I said, 'This is about sick kids. It has nothing to do with who is moving the project.'"
The politically prominent family was the Kennedys.
Carmona was interviewed this afternoon on NPR.
Update: The New York Times lists the ways in which the administration backstopped Carmona: the White House "would not allow him to speak or issue reports about stem cells, emergency contraception, sex education, or prison, mental and global health issues. Top officials delayed for years and tried to 'water down' a landmark report on secondhand smoke, he said. "