Rep. Raul M. Grijalva the Interior Secretary?

[Thrill]

Rep. Raul M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) may be emerging as a top contender to be Barack Obama’s secretary of the interior, according to sources close to the transition.

The Interior Department – which oversees federal lands, national parks and endangered species – has traditionally been headed by a Westerner.

Grijalva recently lambasted the administration for poor treatment of national parks and opposed President George W. Bush’s recent decision to allow coal mining in Arizona. The congressman also has introduced several pieces of legislation to restore and protect federal lands. And he’s supported global warming legislation and funding for renewable energy.

The Interior Department is expected to play a leading role in greenhouse gas regulation next year, an issue that some environmental groups say he could be instrumental in advancing.

An Obama supporter, Grijalva recently worked with New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and other Democrats to turn out the Hispanic vote in key Western states.

Grijalva is chairman of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands – and was just tapped as the new co-chairman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.

His spokeswoman had no comment on the possible Cabinet post.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1108/15860.html

[HCE SuiGeneris]

1. An excellent choice.

I spent some time speaking with Rep. Grijalva about 5 years ago. He is a stalwart advocate for environmental concerns. IMO, he has very sound principles and is dogged in achieving the goals that he sets.

[IndianaGreen]

10. I agree with you, an excellent choice

if it is made at all!

[Bobbieo]

2. Grijalva, my Congressman, would be a wonderful choice for

Interior Secretary. He is a fighter for the environment!!!!

[blondeatlast]

3. Grijalva is a good friend to the environment and though this Arizonan would be sorry

to seem him go (a Democrat would surely take his place) would be happy to see him in that position.

[dmallind]

4. Hey I got one from my "DLC challenge" list!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7896931&mesg_id=7897051

Strangely, nobody ever came back from the other side after I answered the challenge as best I could to come up with some possible cabinet secretaries from teh progressive side (Grijalva is IIRC in the top 10 or 20 at most liberal house members). Wonder if any more will drop?

Of course I can confidently predict somebody will chime in with cherrypicked examples for why he's just another neocon Clintonite patsy....

[Exultant Democracy]

8. He is a great progressive.

[texshelters]

5. Boo hoo, yeah!

The best choice for the job. His environmental record is exemplary and he knows the field, and stream, and canyon, and spotted owl.

But Arizona will miss its only truly progressive Congressperson.

Peace,
Tex Shelters

[polichick]

6. Please don't wake me up - this dream is amazing!

[Kdillard]

7. I hope this turns out to be true. It appears that he will be an amazing choice

for that position.

[Undercurrent]

9. Excellent!

A true warrior for the environment, and rabble-rouser to boot.






(3rd from your left)