November 06, 2008 02:13 AM UTC

Interior Secretary in an Obama Administration: Who will it be?

• 7 Comments
• by: Druid

When it comes to Colorado politics one of the most far reaching decisions that will be made on a federal level from Barack Obama is his choice of Secretary of the Interior.

It seems pretty clear now that the Bush administrations blind loyalty to the oil and gas industry and it’s concerns in the West created a “Sagebrush Rebellion” of it’s own.  Ranchers, sportsmen, and environmentalists, were not pleased with decisions like Roan Plateau and that very well may have caused McCain to loose Colorado, and Schaffer to tank.

Considering the role the western states like Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Arizona may play in a new Democratic West, a western friendly Secretary of the Interior, is vital to Obama winning re-election in 2012.

There does seem to be some general optimism among environmentalists at possible choices by Obama for Secretary of the Interior.  But who would be the best pick, from a Colorado perspective?

Some of the names being bandied about are Jay Inslee of Washington state, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and John Kitzhaber former governor of Oregon.

Personally, I think that Jay Inslee would be the best candidate for Colorado’s needs.  Jay has been a proponent of alternative energy and the environment in ways many other federal representatives cannot hold a candle too.  I have been impressed with his advocacy of biofuel industry for farmers and ranchers, and he seems to have some actual vision when it comes to the future of western energy production.  There is a lot more to the West’s energy potential than oil and gas folks.

Jay is from the West and has a better understanding of western issues and politics than Kennedy would.  And while I have nothing against Kennedy, I think he is to polarizing a figure for this position.  Kitzhaber is from the West as well, but his passion seems to lie in health care and this seems like and awkward position for him.

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