his ability to work with people.  I think he tries very hard to "do the right thing" for the people he likes, for example, he was very hesitant to criticize Hillary when she went gonzo during the campaign.  I think he'd keep a lid on most stuff, and if he pulled a few "Bidens", most people would take it like they do with Biden.

Also, I disagree with some of his positions (like Cape Wind) but he's generally spot on.  But I think Obama might pick someone safer.

or so I heard -- whither Romm?

RFK jr would want to do the right thing, but he does not have the ability to do so.

That whole vaccinations and autism stand brings him very close to crackpot territory. Considering the past eight years the EPA needs someone who embraces science, not rejects it. How can the EPA use science as a basis for decisions when the head selectively picks the science he likes. The Luntz memo stated enviros have scientific facts on our side, and RFK jr risks losing this advantage.

He is also sure to be a lightning rod for the right. He doesn't get any more liberal elite. The confirmation might be a tough and costly battle for a subpar administrator.

The EPA is legally obligated to make regulatory decisions using the best available science. To do otherwise would reject the rule of law. Again considering the past eight years the EPA needs an administrator who will closely follow the law.

RFK jr has great qualities for an activist but not those needed to run the most important environmental regulator in the world.

OK, now y'all have got my Irish up.

For as much problem I have with his/his family's selfish opposition to Cape Wind, I cannot believe the criticism he is getting for the tremendous work he has done to highlight the dangers of vaccines laced with thimerosal (mercury).

If you want to shoot your kids up w/mercury, you go right ahead, but don't you dare belittle those of us who refuse to believe the denials of a pharmaceutical industry which is known for blatantly lying (Vioxx, anyone?)

We don't know for sure why autism rates have skyrocketed, but to discount a possible link between environmental toxins and neurological disorders is completely idiotic.

Remember, industry groups insisted DDT was safe, too. How'd that work out?

It would be nice to have a short list of about three top contenders before making a decision. I will agree that the way Mr. Kennedy handled Cape Wind was awkward at best, although there were are ARE negatives to offshore wind power, although probably not many if the facilities are properly sited - it is like choosing where to locate a dump, I mean a Class IV municipal landfill (little joke there).

There some really cool candidates from California Air Resources Board, NESCAUM, STAPPA-ALAPCO, and other groups that could be considered as well. Haven't we though of bringing somebody up through the EPA itself, rather than importing some policy wonk from somewhere else? Or have all the good folks at EPA that had multi-media policy experience retired in disgust?

One brain fart I caught in the postscript was Mr, Kennedy saying that energy and health were the biggest issues, like clean air, water, and land was not. I truly believe that the way to ratchet down on fossil fuel caused greenhouse gases is for the EPA to do that part. I think it is a huge task and he kind of blew it right there - sorry amigo.  -sam

Onward through the fog

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was a major heroin user, I believe he was arrested once with Cocaine and Heroin on flight. He was a heroin addict for years.  There is no way he will through the nomination process unless the Obama administration want to push this really hard.

 There are many competent people who would do a good job for the EPA other than RFK Jr.   This would be a horrible pick.

Pro-heroin, anti-vaccine?  Odd.

You're not supposed to "vaccinate" babies with heroin, folks, big diff. Plus, our soon to be ex-President was a coke-head and Clinton was a weed head. Let's talk quals and not smack, OK?

Onward through the fog

RFK Jr. published a really bad article in Rolling Stone called "Deadly Immunity".  Slate ran it as well.  I forget how many corrections were published, but it was many.

The article added momentum to the then weak and now failed idea that thimerosal in vaccines cause autism.

At the parent of an autistic child, I have looked at this closely.  The article was bad when it was written, it is thoroughly debunked now.  And, yet, RFK Jr, is still standing up at anti-vaccine rallys as though he made no mistakes.

He has caused major harm to the autism community, creating a divide that may never be fully healed.  He has added momentum to the ideas that have led many to avoid vaccines, leading to outbreaks of measles this year and possibly worse in the future.  

Worst of all--the vaccine/autism notion has given momentum to the alternative-medical practitioners who prey on the autism community.  Children have been harmed by these treatments, at least one has died.  No apologies from RFK.

The only thing I could think of that would be worse than giving him a position in EPA (or Interior as has been mentioned elsewehre) would be for him to be in a position where he could directly influence autism policy.

Mr. Obama has the best, most clear autism policy that any presidential candidate has ever put forth.  Now is NOT the time to scuttle that by giving credence to someone who has brought such grief to the autism community.

DR raises an interesting question, regarding what would be adequate experience for anyone who is to head the EPA.

Obama's "short list" for Secretary of Treasury, as announced yesterday on CNN, includes Lawrence Summers, Jon Corzine, and a couple of CEOs of big financial institutions -- and NOT Paul Krugman.  Krugman perhaps would not want that job anyway; but it is certain that he has no executive experience.

Similarly, for the less urgent appointment of Secretary of Agriculture, Michael Pollan would be a great pick, except that there too, executive experience may be required.

But as for the EPA, one gathers that the career scientists and lawyers there would be keeping the basic work going well enough while RFK Jr. got caught up.  And the catching up would not take him all that long, since he has been observing the functioning of the EPA for a long time now.  Also, the career scientists and lawyers would probably be pleased to work for somebody who actually appreciates what they do, and encourages them to carry on, instead of stifling them, and redacting and suppressing their reports.

On the other hand, if there is in RFK Jr.'s background a pattern of hasty, alarmist remarks along the lines of the vaccinations-cause-autism business, then that might point to a certain fun-loving recklessness that we do not want to find in the head of the EPA.  Given our political and social culture, in which the statements of environmental scientists are regularly vilified and discredited, the head of the EPA will need to be prudent and scrupulously accurate when he announces policy decisions.

Chickens deserve our true friendship! So do fish! So do other sentient beings! Let us learn to be kind.

Compare to GW Bush, RFK jr. has a very well documented drug history, it has been written in many books about the Kennedys. (I am not condoning GW Bush's antics, and I feel his administration policy toward AGW has been borderline criminal)

RFK jr. wasn't experimenting, he was a full blown heroin addict, and was an addict for years...

He got involved in the Environmental Movement because it was part of his community service agreement, (Before that he was working for Native American rights, why he was flying to Rapid City, SD, and was found passed out/overdose with a needle in his arm)

I have no problem that RFK jr. is a vocal advocate for his pet environmental issues..  However he was known as being kind of dictatorial with groups like Riverkeeper, in which the board resign in protest over some of RFK jr.'s antics

There are way too many demerits in front of RFK jr's name to have him head of a very important agency.  I would leave him in his gadfly role, where he is much better suited.  

Rahm Emanuel is going to be the decider on this one; Obama doesn't know the players in the environmental community that well and will rely on Emanuel. Rahm is not going to want a public debate on whether a former heroin addict should be given a top job in the administration. Carol Browner is on the transition team and she will likely push for McGinty, her protege'.  And the Obama team owes one to Rendell, and wants to keep Pennsylvania, a potential swing state, happy. Katie is head of the DEP there.  McGinty is seen as having sold out on a few issues for political reasons but I think she is generally respected by both pro- and anti-environmental interests.

RKF jr. can't even get consensus in the environmental community, he's a choice that won't fly.

Here's a better choice--California Attorney General Jerry Brown.

RFK Jr. would be a great choice for the EPA head. He has done so many good things as an environmental lawyer. He truly gets it right and is not part of the political machine. He is true to the needs of the people and the planet. He understands the human system-natural system connections. He has great integrity. His past is not who he is today. He would lead the way to a real path that will take us to a sustainable future. We don't need politician in the position, we need an environmental lawyer with great intelligence. RFK Jr. is the right person. His book 'Crimes Against Nature' is the real story behind political environmental destruction. We need to maintain our ecosystem services in a real way. RFK Jr. can do that.

Robert Kennedy Jr. is a committed environmentalist and the type of person we want at EPA. That said, I don't think he would be a good manager of the agency.  I would love to see him in charge of enforcement at EPA.  Many of our environmental laws have been thrown out the window in the past 8 years, and having him begin to hold polluters accountable again seems like a great fit with his skills.    

i would TOTALLY respect this appointment!  

anyone who's ever attended a speech of RFK Jr.'s understands completely that this guy is not messing around...and this is Obama's opportunity to come out strong by appointing people who are going to take care of our environmental infrastructure and move on to preventive measures.

things are looking up already...woohoo!

For all the reasons stated above, RFK jr. is unsuitable for the job at EPA.  However, one of his friends, former California EPA chief Terry Tamminen is well-suited.  He actually has run a large government agency and also served as Schwartzenegger's chief-of-staff.

Deuce Darts

What do i think? I think a whole lot of folks on this thread have drunk the compromise Kool-aide. Can't have an EPA administrator who's too strident! Goddess forbid! As to enviros being pissed at RFK, Jr. over Cape Wind: HA!  A lot of us ALSO think Cape Wind sucks. Far too many enviros are too quick to cave on privatization of the Commons and to centralized power in their efforts to turn back the climate crisis.

As to "overheated work on Republican vote theft", you mean like the two stolen elections that gave us the Bush regime?? (you've GOT to be kidding). Furthermore, do you really think a f'ing lawyer ISN'T a "detail oriented managerial type"??

I don't know what's going on here on this page, but it smells like a lot of you have stepped in a steaming pile of compromise. Phew!

HE IS THE REAL DEAL !

I am shocked and disappointed to see that environmentalists consider it to be 'naive' or 'crackpot' to draw an association between vaccinations and autism or other neurological disorders.  Vaccinations for children, whose brains are still developing, contain levels of aluminum and formaldehyde in excess of those deemed to be safe by the EPA for adults.  Additionally, flu vaccines currently still contain methylmercury at levels beyond what is safe for adults, and all other vaccines did until approximately 2002.  These ingredients are KNOWN NEUROTOXINS.  For people who commonly fight against laws that result in exposure to toxic materials and other environmental tragedies, state requirements to inject pathogens, genetically modified organisms, animal DNA, and known neurotoxins (all of which are ingredients in vaccinations) as a prerequisite to attending publicly funded daycares and schools is a set of laws that should be more carefully evaluated by those considering themselves to be environmentalists or those concerned with being adequately informed about the contents of substances entering their bodies and the natural environment.  As an aside, the information that led RFK Jr to arrive at his conclusions about vaccinations and autism came directly from the CDC.

It certainly seems like there are plenty of better alternatives to RFK Jr. to head EPA.   I would tend to agree that he seems better as a strident voice for the environment than he does as a detailed, nuts-and-bolts, regulatory administrator.   If Obama wants to pick someone from the environmental movement instead of someone with extensive governmental experience, he would be much better off picking someone like Kassie Siegel of the Center for Biological Diversity.   She is an environmental attorney with experience both in prosecuting cases as federal and state agencies, and she has testified before Congress multiple times.   There are quite a few similarly better candidates at the Center and at other such environmental advocacy organizations that have staff attorneys with such legal experience, many of whom have backgrounds that include working for the EPA or for the Department of the Interior.

That's what the EPA is supposed to do: protect the environment.  Ed Abbey is right about some of the opposition to Kennedy drinking the compromise Kool-aid, and even more so after so many years of criminals running this agency who have done immeasurable and permanent damage to the environment.  Kenndey's problem is that he's too conservative, not that he's too strong of an environmental advocate.

However, on a realpolitik level, his baggage is far too great for the jerks in Congress to confirm him.  On the other hand, he's the best we could possibly hope for from an ideological perspective.  Krazedkeeshond has the best ideas for who would be ideal choices, but people like that are too radical for the people in power to ever accept.

Robert F Kennedy is honest and devoted to protecting the environment.  He's smart and effective.  People seem to have forgotten that he is not only the director of Waterkeepers, but he is also the lead attorney and spokesperson at NRDC, one of the largest environmental groups in the US, and a professor of environmental law at Pace University Law School.  He could lead EPA in the right direction.

If Obama wants to demonstrate change away from politics as usual, RFK would be a brilliant choice for EPA.

is never going to be nominated anyway. Obama will not waste political capital on a nominee who has so much baggage and no chance of confirmation.

First of all there is the felony drug conviction at the age of 30, which can't be written off as some youthful indiscretion. Second is that he needed treatment for a full-blown heroin addiction and there is an understandable stigma associated with that. Last he was arrested, convicted and did time for protesting the US Navy in 2001. In the post-9/11 world and in wartime hostile protests of the military are a big negatives.

When these things are considered I don't know how anyone could think that the Senate would confirm him. If the Senate was composed of environmentalists he might have a chance, but its not.  

We need someone like Robert Kennedy, Jr. as EPA Administrator.  He's bold and idealistic -- exactly what we need at this juncture in history... especially post-Bush. We've got no more time to waste avoiding "pissing people off."  The survival of the human species hangs in the balance.  Unlike some others on the list, there is no danger of RKJ "selling out" -- and we need a no sell out at the head of USEPA.

Besides, he's a KENNEDY for cryin' out loud.

Don't look now but I think it could be Ahnold. That way Obama gets to appoint a Republican who has no chance of becoming president.  He boosts his bipartisan image and looks good to moderates. The Governator brings with him a ready-made voter constituency.  Liberals and enviros will have a hard time finding something to go after him on.  

Listen fellow americans please get of your high horses. So what if Robert struggled with a drug addiction earlier in his life. Are any of you holding it against him perfect? Everyone has struggles in life and makes mistakes. Judgement is not a good thing when everyone is doing something wrong. I feel he would be great for the position because of his true passion for saving the environment and his true compassion as well for the people and other inhabitants of this earth god gave us. now does he know everything no, noone does. People should give him a chance and stop their finger pointing. He has since his struggles become a success at fighting for the environment and what he did before he should now have redemption for. Yes i feel his extensive work fighting the subdued & corporate controled epa, also gives him qualifications. There is noone understands the need for more strict environmental policies than he does. Those who dount his finding on autism and vaacines, remember this. Science is being manipulated and controled by current admins to benefit rich factories, and sometimes for true science findings it takes years of studies. It seems many of you are sufficed with quick and hurried studies we are seeing pushed through the epa and fda now, that are usually tampered with. I personally would scrutinize every finding over the last 8 years by the cronys installed in our regulatory systems. So maybe in 20 years of more studies we could find out he was right. You never know. It's funny to me how many people along with the media were calling al gore and enviros crazies before, and now it's all over the media about global warmng and how we need to see changes to help the crisis.