Agricultural News
Could Congressman John Salazar Be Secretary Salazar in the Obama Cabinet?
Thu, 04 Dec 2008 5:02:03 CST
President-elect Barack Obama is looking at nominating Congressman John Salazar, a Democrat from Colorado., for Agriculture secretary, according to a statement from Salazar.
In response to a request for comment from the Denver Post Wednesday, Salazar, 55, issued a statement confirming that he is under consideration. "I am humbled that I may be under consideration as a possible nominee for Secretary of Agriculture," Salazar said. "Should President-elect Obama honor me with a nomination to Agriculture, I would certainly consider it. However, at this time, I am continuing my work on behalf of my constituents in the Third Congressional District and preparing for the many difficult challenges facing the 111th Congress." (Speaking of Congress- here is a sign from his initial campaign for Congress in 2004- when he asked voters to "Send a farmer to Congress.")
Salazar is the older brother of US Senator Ken Salazar of Colorado- whose name was mentioned last month by Collin Peterson, Chairman of the House Ag Committee as one who might be considered by Mr. Obama if he wanted diversity in the Secretary of Ag position. His brother obviously fits the bill as well- and is one of the few agricultural producers that are members of Congress. He has served two terms as a House member from Colorado's third District, has just been elected to a third term and has been a member of the House Ag Committee while in Washington.
The Denver Post says of Salazar "A potato seed farmer, Salazar often talks about the country's food security and the role of U.S. farmers in maintaining it.
'I've lived agriculture, and I sleep agriculture,' Salazar said Wednesday."
Jerry Hagstrom in the National Journal writes "Salazar serves on the House Agriculture Committee and played a role in the 2008 farm bill by insisting on more aid for fruit and vegetable growers and for renewable fuels research. During the farm bill debate, he told a National Farmers Union audience that the bill had to be written on a bipartisan basis because "there are too few of us to divide ourselves along partisan lines and partisan bickering."
A Republican commodity lobbyist told Hagstrom on Wednesday that Salazar "would be incredible," a "great pick." The lobbyist added that Salazar is "respected on both sides of the aisle, and fair."
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
