Ag Weekly Online: Twin Falls, Idaho

WASHINGTON - The Obama transition team considers former Iowa governor Tom Vilsack a near shoo-in for secretary of agriculture, according to a source close to the transition. Vilsack, who dropped out of the presidential race last year after a short-lived bid, was an early backer of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. But during the general election, he campaigned hard for Obama in Iowa.

Vilsack is well-liked by both environmentalists and food industry leaders, the source said. In a sign that he is seeking the job, Vilsack has written opinion articles in recent weeks about agriculture policy, linking farming to energy independence and national security.

Should things not work out with Vilsack, Obama might turn to Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minn., chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.

Comments »

Vaughn Paul Manley wrote on Nov 23, 2008 9:54 AM:

" It is definitely not true that Tom Vilsak is well-liked by environmentalists. He is pro-Monsanto and GMO proliferation. There is a concerted effort to oppose his appointment to secretary of agriculture. Sign a petition at:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/no-to-former-iowa-governor-tom-vilsack-to-usda "

Eddie Gehman Kohan wrote on Nov 19, 2008 7:52 PM:

" Tom Vilsack is liked by neither environmentalists nor those who are opposed to genetic engineering, pharmaceutical crops, or the hold Big Ag has on farming and food in the US. There have been many critical statements about his candidacy as Secretary of Agriculture, particularly by Grist, an environmental group, The Organic Consumers Association, and Food & Water Watch. A recap of Vilsack's problems is on my own blog, at http://haphazardgourmet.blogspot.com/2008/11/tom-vilsack-emerges-as-frontrunner-for.html "

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