In politics, how do you eliminate your competition? You offer them a plum so sweet, they cannot resist. This is the time of year for sugarplums, isn’t it? As the drama of the appointment of Interior Secretary continues, the battle between Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-AZ) and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) continues. President-elect Obama named nearly all of the environmental posts in his Cabinet yesterday, but the battle over Interior Secretary continues. It looks like Speaker Pelosi just upped the ante by offering Rep. Raul Grijalva a much-coveted position on the House Ways and Means Committee. http://waysandmeans.house.gov/...
The House Ways and Means Committee is a powerful place to sit as a Congressman because all bills requiring taxation must go through this committee. The committee oversees tariffs, revenue-raising measures, Social Security, unemployment benefits, Medicare, and federal welfare programs. It is a great committee for progressives, especially if you want to make a difference in the wallets of the less fortunate in our country. As the new leader of the Progressive Caucus, Rep. Grijalva has clearly earned his stripes as a progressive. He could do great things on this Committee. However, will he resist the temptation of the committee? By way of co-incidence, Rep. Mike Thompson sits on this committee as well. Are they replacing Thompson with Grijalva?
Are factions within the "Change" Transition team seeking to eliminate Grijalva from the pool of candidates for Interior? Is the Transition team looking for more of the same or do they seek progressive change at Interior that Grijalva would bring with him? Is Speaker Pelosi undermining Grijalva’s candidacy and promoting her favorite, Rep. Thompson by offering Grijalva this juicy plum? If Grijalva accepts that seat, I would assume he is moving away from his interest in Interior and ceding the job to Rep. Thompson.
I urge Rep. Grijalva say no to Ways and Means and stay in the pool for Interior. We desperately need you there right now. I know it will not be fun to clean up after the Bush team leaves town, but I know that we can count on you to do the right thing for our public lands, waters, parks, wildlife and for the Tribes. Your endorsements from over 100 conservation organizations, scientists, Hispanic community and Natural Resources Committee Chair Nick Rahall are a testament to your leadership and your vision for our precious natural resources.
We need progressives working on conservation issues too. The progressive slot is not just reserved for places like the Departments of Education and HUD. President-elect Obama, it is time to name Rep. Raul Grijalva as your Secretary of the Interior. Let's talk about Change like we really mean it.
Breaking news - word from those close to Grijalva tell me that he is not willing to give up the fight for Interior. It sounds like many conservation groups continue to stand strong behind Grijalva too. "Grijalva supporters say he is still in the hunt and will not back off seeking interior until the president elect makes the call."