President-elect Barack Obama's selection of former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as agriculture secretary is a fine one for many reasons, but also presents a serious challenge to Obama's campaign pledge to cut wasteful subsidies.
Vilsack's nomination to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture was made Wednesday in Chicago. That Vilsack, who made a short-lived presidential bid then backed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic Party primary, was selected by Obama was a bit of a surprise. Recent reports had placed long odds on him landing the position.
But Vilsack has the appropriate qualifications for the job. His experience as governor of the agriculture-rich state of Iowa gives him a perspective on farm issues that some suggest has been lacking in the USDA during the Bush administration. As Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Bill Bruins said Wednesday in support of the Vilsack pick, "Wisconsin farmers should benefit from having a fellow Midwesterner who understands the importance of the dairy industry to our economy."
Vilsack has been a s strong proponent of developing renewable energy and the nation's alternative fuel industry. He has been a strong advocate of combating global warming, which means he is likely to be a solid foot soldier in Obama's push to promote the creation of "green energy" jobs in a major economic stimulus package. Many of those "green" jobs will be created in rural America.
But a legitimate concern about Vilsack's appointment is his track record of support for ethanol subsidies and tax breaks. Past subsidies have helped boost the ethanol industry into a position of strength in national alternative fuel development. But ethanol now is seen by most as a bridge to cleaner, more efficient alternative fuels. And it is debatable whether there remains a need for subsidies and tax breaks to continue developing the industry.
Those tax incentives are among a broader set of ag benefits that many now see as wasteful, including the president-elect. Whether Vilsack's nomination places an obstacle in Obama's ag department remains to be seen.
Vilsack has shown a willingness to give ground on subsidies, which may mean he shares Obama's gift of being able to compromise to settle contentious debates. He was co-chairman of Council on Foreign Relations task force this year that recommended phasing out some ethanol subsidies.
Forward-thinking and a willingness to balance farmers' interests with economic and environmental realities would serve the nation well in the agriculture department. In Vilsack, Obama appears to have chosen someone with those capabilities and the proper background.
Vilsack's nomination to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture was made Wednesday in Chicago. That Vilsack, who made a short-lived presidential bid then backed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic Party primary, was selected by Obama was a bit of a surprise. Recent reports had placed long odds on him landing the position.
But Vilsack has the appropriate qualifications for the job. His experience as governor of the agriculture-rich state of Iowa gives him a perspective on farm issues that some suggest has been lacking in the USDA during the Bush administration. As Wisconsin Farm Bureau President Bill Bruins said Wednesday in support of the Vilsack pick, "Wisconsin farmers should benefit from having a fellow Midwesterner who understands the importance of the dairy industry to our economy."
Vilsack has been a s strong proponent of developing renewable energy and the nation's alternative fuel industry. He has been a strong advocate of combating global warming, which means he is likely to be a solid foot soldier in Obama's push to promote the creation of "green energy" jobs in a major economic stimulus package. Many of those "green" jobs will be created in rural America.
But a legitimate concern about Vilsack's appointment is his track record of support for ethanol subsidies and tax breaks. Past subsidies have helped boost the ethanol industry into a position of strength in national alternative fuel development. But ethanol now is seen by most as a bridge to cleaner, more efficient alternative fuels. And it is debatable whether there remains a need for subsidies and tax breaks to continue developing the industry.
Those tax incentives are among a broader set of ag benefits that many now see as wasteful, including the president-elect. Whether Vilsack's nomination places an obstacle in Obama's ag department remains to be seen.
Vilsack has shown a willingness to give ground on subsidies, which may mean he shares Obama's gift of being able to compromise to settle contentious debates. He was co-chairman of Council on Foreign Relations task force this year that recommended phasing out some ethanol subsidies.
Forward-thinking and a willingness to balance farmers' interests with economic and environmental realities would serve the nation well in the agriculture department. In Vilsack, Obama appears to have chosen someone with those capabilities and the proper background.
