The New USDA Secretary
I am, in my day job, the Director of an agricultural trade association, so to some degree I am also an ag policy wonk. As the Bush cabinet is shuffled and reformed, it's interesting to see who comes in. The CEO of Kellogg's (of Battle Creek fame), a Cuban-born American by way of Mexico to be Secretary of Commerce. You can't get more outside the beltway than that!
The oddsmakers had lists of folks to replace outgoing Secretary Veneman and the names were largely former Hill staffers or Congressmen. When the announcement came yesterday that Bush was nominating the sitting governor of Nebraska to be Ag Sec, it came as a surprise to everyone I know. But given Bush's current penchant for going outside the regular spheres, should it have been that big of a surprise. Not the exact who, but more of a from where- type question. In that case, no surprise.
This episode reminds me of my days back as a divisional SVP from agribusiness giant ADM. There were constant trade rumors involving ADM involving ADM buying or selling or acquiring this company of entering or leaving this or that line of biz. In my five years there, I can, without doubt, state any rumor I ever heard on the street regarding ADM never proved true. Were there plans and machinations constantly ongoing? You bet! But never ever , did I ever hear of those on the street. Tons of other stuff, but never the real goings on. Kinda like the new Ag Sec's name not being on any of the "guess lists."
The oddsmakers had lists of folks to replace outgoing Secretary Veneman and the names were largely former Hill staffers or Congressmen. When the announcement came yesterday that Bush was nominating the sitting governor of Nebraska to be Ag Sec, it came as a surprise to everyone I know. But given Bush's current penchant for going outside the regular spheres, should it have been that big of a surprise. Not the exact who, but more of a from where- type question. In that case, no surprise.
This episode reminds me of my days back as a divisional SVP from agribusiness giant ADM. There were constant trade rumors involving ADM involving ADM buying or selling or acquiring this company of entering or leaving this or that line of biz. In my five years there, I can, without doubt, state any rumor I ever heard on the street regarding ADM never proved true. Were there plans and machinations constantly ongoing? You bet! But never ever , did I ever hear of those on the street. Tons of other stuff, but never the real goings on. Kinda like the new Ag Sec's name not being on any of the "guess lists."
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