I was hoping for Raul Grijalva for SOI, but it looks like it's going to be Salazar

[mtnsnake]

IMO, of all the frontrunners competing for the job, nobody would champion the cause for wildlife and the environment more than Grijalva.

I just hope that wildlife and the environment aren't comprised a single iota under Salazar in our quest for new energy sources or anything else that couls have an affect on the preservation of our natural resources and animals. What worries me about Salazar is how often he's sided with Republicans on some major issues, and we all know how Republicans feel about the environment. Oh well, I'll just have to trust that Obama knows what he's doing with this.

[villager]

1. Well, I think it's "trust, but verify" time....

I'm not happy with the Salazar pick -- since there's no margin to fuck-up environmental policy decisions anymore -- but hopefully he'll be a better SOI than he ever was a Senator..

[Thrill]

2. He doesn't worry me as the Sec of Interior. Just glad he is out of the Senate

He actually cares about the environmental stuff. Thats evident in giving up a Senate seat for it. Not many would give up a Senate seat for this.

[boppers]

3. Not to dredge, but what messed with Grijalva?

Any idea?

[Thrill]

4. The Washington Post insinuated that he had problems with vetting

[boppers]

6. Bummer.

I've sat down and had lunch with him a few times (I used to live in Tucson, and we often went to the same place for lunch, and my father (I used to eat with my dad every day) knew Raul from way-back, so it wasn't anything special... just three guys eating), but I know that some positions and actions in supporting his constituencies have meant that he's radioactive in terms of dealing with the racist/anti-immigrant block of the GOP.

[mtnsnake]

5. Not sure. Maybe something about his immigration stances?

I don't think Grijalva is too popular with repukes, but what else is new. Maybe Obama didn't want to risk a fight with repukes over getting him confirmed. With Salazar, that won't be a problem since he voted with Repukes often enough he'll be a cinch to get confirmed. It's too bad he isn't going with Grijalva, though, who is way more progressive minded.

[boppers]

7. There are some photos/video problems, I'm guessing.

Not sure what region you're in, mtnsnake, but in Tucson, AZ, it's not that big of a deal to show up and be part of a rally to politically re-unite native peoples into one nation.

People outside of AZ, NM, TX (etc.) tend to be totally freaked out by such movements.

[mtnsnake]

9. Northern NY

Yeah, you might be right about that, boppers.

Anyway, if it's a vetting problem, that's a real shame because I think Grijalva would be a perfect fit for the SOI. This is one area where we can't be compromised by a SOI who might be a little on the conservative side like Salazar is. Come to think of it, didn't Salazar pick McCain to mentor him? I think I remember someone on DU mention that some time ago.

[backscatter712]

8. Salazar seems pretty strong on environmental issues,

and he has a lot of experience with things like water-rights.

Sounds to me like Obama dealt with a senator who might have been opposed him on foreign policy and human rights and unions and such by kicking him upstairs, where he'd be mostly harmless. As Secretary of the Interior, foreign policy will be distinctly not his bailiwick.