transition talk

Will new prez toe the agribiz line on food policy?

Where does President-elect Obama stand on food policy — with the interests of Big Food and its Congressional water-carriers, or with the budding sustainable-food/food-justice movement? I guess the first substantial indicator will come when he names his secretary of agriculture. Until that time, we’ve got some data points to consider. • On the scary side, […]

Who should be next head of the EPA?

There’s been a flurry of speculation about Obama’s choice to run EPA. Kate links to some background for all the candidates here. I believe every name that has been mentioned as a possible candidate appears in the poll below. Vote! Who should Barack Obama appoint as head of the U.S. EPA? ( surveys)

Placemaking in the Cabinet

Excellent news: “White House to Establish Office of Urban Policy.”

Chorus of intellectuals and activists call on Obama to think big

Nobel-winning economist Paul Krugman to Barack Obama: be ambitious (really ambitious)! Beltway CW bellwether Fareed Zakaria to Barack Obama: be ambitious! Former Secretary of Labor and current Obama adviser Robert Reich to Barack Obama: be ambitious! Nobel-winning climate advocate Al Gore to Barack Obama: be ambitious! Nobel-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz to Barack Obama: be ambitious! […]

Obama mulls Energy Security Council

The latest, according to "sources close to the transition," is that Obama is thinking of creating an Energy Security Council, modeled on the National Security Council. This was, of course, one of Hillary Clinton’s signature proposals, though she called it the National Energy Council. Interestingly, the idea seems to be coming from John Podesta, who […]

A roundup of possible Cabinet picks for environment-related positions

The punditocracy is amusing itself by trading rumors about who Obama might tap to fill key leadership posts. Here are names that have been circulated thus far for environment-related positions. Warning: wild speculation to follow. EPA Administrator Robert F. Kennedy Jr., attorney for Riverkeeper and the Natural Resources Defense Council Mary Nichols, chair of the […]

Al Gore ‘cannot yet reveal’ his role in Obama’s administration

Al Gore: I look forward to serving in the Obama administration and while I cannot yet reveal what my exact role will be, I can assure you that President-Elect Obama and I are eager to get started building a new world. One that is green and sustainable. Hmmm? (via Brian) UPDATE: Oy, this site is […]

Obama-Biden team launches transition website

Barack Obama and Joe Biden have launched a transition website to highlight their work and agenda as they count down to Inauguration Day. Here’s what they have to say about energy and the environment: The Obama-Biden comprehensive New Energy for America plan will: Provide short-term relief to American families facing pain at the pump. Help […]

Should Hagel and Lugar be considered for Secretary of State given their climate views?

It’s frequently suggested that Obama appoint a Republican to his cabinet to demonstrate his bipartisan (or is it post-partisan?) bona fides. When it comes to Secretary of State, he reportedly has Sens. Chuck Hagel and Richard Lugar on his short list. Of course nothing’s wrong with post-bipartisanship, but it’s worth noting that one important task […]