I've been waiting with bated breath for Obama's pick for Secretary of Interior. For me, at least, this is his most important choice. It is this position that can help lead the US to conservation-minded science and protection of our wildlands.
Too often in the campaign, the "environmental" issue just meant "energy independence". What about roadless areas (admittedly largely under a secretary of Ag.), what about wilderness, national monuments, BLM, WOPPER (in the NW), logging, endangered species.
The Secretary of the Interior has a huge role to play in these vital, vital issues.
And so it is with great trepidation that I see that Tony Knowles, an Alaskan Democrat, is possibly slated for the job.
NOOooooooooo... This is the same Tony Knowles that is pro-drilling in ANWR. And while that might be "par for the course" in Alaska, that just simply won't fly. That sort of mentality, even if a facade, is NOT what we need in Interior.
Look, Obama and Biden are not outdoorsmen. And Obama has indicated he wants to put a "sportsman or sportswoman" in the job. Okay, fair enough. But that CERTAINLY should take a backseat to other experience, such as science-based training or years of dealing with the issues.
I'm concerned that as criticism mounts of Obama not following through on his word to select GOPers for his cabinet, and given that Obama is not hugely into the whole green-thing (beyond energy)... that he might throw them a bone with either a GOP choice for Interior... OR with a conservative Democrat like Tony Knowles.
Please, please, can we get someone conservation-minded and science-based? I would love to see Oregon's John Kitzhaber, for example.
The Interior has suffered perhaps more than most under the Bush administration. It's here, after all, that he is burrowing so many of his stoolies. We need a strong leader in this position, not just a token "sportsman", but someone who can set and lead.