Gordon Smith: Secretary of the Interior?
The Senate Majority Project - a group dedicated to ending the current GOP majority - is speculating that our own Senator Gordon Smith could be in the running for Secretary of the Interior. (Gale Norton resigned today amid questions related to the Jack Abramoff scandal.)
From the Senate Majority blog:
Gordon Smith: Smith is from Oregon and serves on the Public Lands and Water and Power subcommittees. More moderate on environmental issues than the controversial Norton. His concern for the environment seems to stop at the Beltway as his family’s company is one of the worst polluters in Oregon. The company was slapped with the second largest environmental fine in state history and Oregon taxpayers had to pay $800,000 to clean up environmental damage caused by Smith’s company.
Discuss.
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March 10, 2006
Posted in elsewhere. |
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Mar 10, '06
I know this is a bit off-topic, but [off-topic comment removed -editor.]
4:22 p.m.
Mar 10, '06
Gordon Smith for Secretary of the Interior! Confirm him now! Right away! Don't hesitate!
Now, who wants that Senate seat?
4:33 p.m.
Mar 10, '06
I thought that Our Boy had his sights set on becoming the top elder in the Mormon church. Much rather see him pursue this course than to wind up with our precious forests flooded with boiled string beans or whatever ecohorror awaits........
As to his <1>moderation, we need only think back to his first run for national office to see his true spots and stripes.......
Mar 10, '06
Why would he possibly give up a pretty-safe Senate seat, to take a nasty bureaucratic job that would last, at the longest, another two and a half years?
Mar 10, '06
No way. Because then the Gov. would appoint his replacement, correct?
Better guess: Slate Gordon.
4:48 p.m.
Mar 10, '06
The rumor doesn't make much sense to me. It would put another Senate seat in play in a year in which the Republicans are already facing tough fights to retain Senate seats in PA, RI, MO, MT (for starters).
The photo accompanying this post does beg for an "Insert your caption here" contest, though.
My first proposal: "I want Martin Donovan to play me in a film version of my life." To see Martin Donovan, just point your browser to this: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0233027/
Steve
Mar 10, '06
Um, I meant Slade Gorton... who if I remember correctly was jockying for the position 6 years ago.
Mar 10, '06
Smith won't be appointed because it would mean the Republicans giving up a seat in the Senate they might not retain. In Oregon, the governor doesn't appoint the replacement. The vacancy is filled in a special election following a special primary.
Mar 10, '06
Have to agree. There's no way the Repubs will do it. He's one of those phoney "bipartisan" "moderate" senators they like to trot out every once in awhile, while he votes right along with their agenda. On top of it what would be a likely re-elect becomes a likely Dem pickup in the Senate.
Mar 10, '06
I wouldn't be so sure this is just hot air - we've been hearing rumors about Smith in the cabinet for a couple of months now.
Mar 10, '06
Ty Pettit (D) would like this seat, he's running. I like an early start.
8:59 a.m.
Mar 11, '06
the idea of Gordo walking away from the Senate had me just giddy with excitement yesterday evening. i kept whispering the words "Senator Kitzhaber" to myself, over and over. the vision of The Open Seat was so beautiful, i almost hyperventilated.
too bad it won't happen. like most dreams. ah well, we'll just have to get rid of Gordo the old-fashioned way.
Mar 11, '06
A few thoughts on this. 1. This would appear to be a stupid move on the part of the rethuglicans but when has that stopped them the last couple of years. 2. While I'm not convinced that Smith's seat is safe in 2008 it is certainly not safe for the rethuglicans in a special election in 2006.
Mar 11, '06
[unnecessary name-calling deleted. -editor.]
5:45 p.m.
Mar 11, '06
I agree, this doesn't make much sense. On the other hand, nothing the Republican's have done has made much sense. So, there you have it. It's possible there is some creditablity to the rumor, but it just doesn't seem likely to happen.
Mar 14, '06
Gordon doesn't even like natural resource issues. He works them because they make up his base, but they aren't really his thing.
His love is foreign affairs. Now if Condi somehow moved into the VP slot, Gordon could move up and over, but I think it's beyond unlikely.
Regarding Slade Gorton: The Secretary of the Interior oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Almost any native american will tell you that when he was a Senator, Slade followed the General Sheridan philosophy of Indian relations. As Washington's AG, he lost the Boldt decision and has had it out for the tribes ever since.