Energy | EPA | Agriculture | Interior | Climate Czar
The nation's landlord, the Interior Department manages 500 million acres of land and the oil-rich Outer Continental Shelf, overseeing not just oil supplies but coal, natural gas, wind, solar, and geothermal too. The department also administers much of the West's water supply, national parks, relations with the nation's tribes, and protection of endangered species. Traditionally headed by a well-known Westerner, Interior has endured embarrassments in recent years, including meddling by a high-ranking deputy on endangered-species protections that allegedly could have affected her family farm, and drunken sexcapades by Minerals Management Service employees hobnobbing with industry representatives.
Dirk Kempthorne.
Dirk Kempthorne
There's been some speculation that McCain might just keep current Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne in place. "That would not be smart in light of the departmental scandals," said Pitney at Claremont McKenna College. Environmentalists agree, saying he has protected fewer endangered species than James Watt, is a strong backer of oil-shale leasing in the Rockies, and supported polluting industries as Idaho governor. They say he has done little to clean up agency shenanigans.
Nonsense, says Maisano of Bracewell & Giuliani. "Kempthorne doesn't have an ounce of any responsibility for those scandals; in fact he's been part of the team breaking them up." Maisano and others say Kempthorne knows D.C. and the West well (as a former Idaho governor and U.S. senator). Kempthorne has come up to speed on the controversial issues facing Interior, including offshore oil drilling, the proposed listing of the polar bear as endangered, wind power leases, and coal mining permits. He is also as passionate about national parks as McCain. In fact, says Maisano, "I would think Kempthorne might be more comfortable with the McCain camp than the Bush camp."
Jon Huntsman.
Jon Huntsman, Jr.
Utah's Jon Huntsman, Jr. (R), another Western governor who is the son of a chemical magnate, would be more palatable to some. He has been more moderate than expected, and wants Utah to reduce fuel and energy consumption. He is also concerned about nuclear waste being stored in his state, which might raise red flags for McCain.
Barbara Cubin.
Barbara Cubin
Right-wingers say it is vital for McCain to remember that to win and keep Republican support in the West, he needs to select a rural, lands-rights supporter "who knows something about the history of federal lands and what the problems really are," said Ebell of the Competitive Enterprise Institute. "Someone from the intermountain West like Gale Norton, but who is not an urbanite like her." Rep. Barbara Cubin (R-Wyo.), a pro-mining, rural Republican who is pushing a bill that would require new refineries to be permitted within 90 days, would be ideal for them.
Wayne Allard.
Wayne Allard
Colorado's Wayne Allard (R), a veterinarian by trade who is retiring from the Senate, also would fit the bill for lands-rights GOP'ers.
Wayne Gilchrist.
Wayne Gilchrist
Surprisingly, environmentalists and industry reps alike mention Maryland Rep. Wayne Gilchrist, a nine-term congressman who this year was defeated for reelection in the GOP primary by a right-wing conservative. Gilchrist is a senior member of the House Natural Resources Committee, and he worked for the Forest Service in Idaho for a brief period. But Ebell says it would be ridiculous to have an East Coaster running Interior, no matter how liked he may be inside the Beltway for protecting Chesapeake Bay. The real deal-killer could be his endorsement of Obama, though.
For McCain, it’s really all about the fake snow
John McCain’s troubles are the world’s troubles
Seven reasons for optimism about the Senate climate bill
Comments
View as Flat