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Politics : American Presidential Politics and foreign affairs -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Peter Dierks who wrote (30427)	12/16/2008 4:42:47 PM
From: KLP	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 71588

Until he does something really stupid we are not yet lost. We shouldn't hold our breath for that to happen....If he doesn't do something just stupid, some of his followers and cabinet will....

To: Peter Dierks who wrote (30427)	12/17/2008 1:38:50 AM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 71588

"Everybody says it is amazing that Lord Obama is ruling from the center." EXCEPT for those who expected it. Who expected PRAGMATISM.

To: Peter Dierks who wrote (30427)	12/17/2008 1:39:44 AM
From: DuckTapeSunroof	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 71588

Utahns laud Obama's 'moderate' Interior pick Colorado senator » Drilling would go forward under Salazar, but in a go-slow fashion. By Thomas Burr The Salt Lake Tribune Article Last Updated: 12/16/2008 03:58:10 PM MST sltrib.com Washington » Sen. Ken Salazar wears a white cowboy hat pretty much everywhere he goes, although he sometimes dons a black one or, in colder weather, opts for 10 gallons of wool. Salazar, a Latino and Colorado native who has risen quickly from state attorney general to U.S. senator, likes to show off his Western roots and is expected to carry that tradition to his new post: Interior Department secretary. President-elect Barack Obama's reported choice for Interior is regarded as a moderate on public-land issues and packs a record of supporting the protection of the Western landscape while advocating environmentally friendly ways to tap natural resources. "He's shown a record of being a centrist on a lot of issues, a pragmatic approach, he's a Westerner, and I think all of those attributes are good," says Rep. Jim Matheson, a Utah Democrat who butted heads with Salazar on opening up the West to oil-shale exploration. Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, says he differs with Salazar about how to boost domestic-oil production, but concedes that the Colorado senator "understands" the West. "I look forward to working with him on energy and public-lands issues," Bennett says. Salazar, whose family dates back to the West even before the region became part of U.S., grew up on a remote ranch and spent 11 years as an attorney for water and environmental law. Elected to the Senate in 2004, Salazar carved a name for himself on Western issues, including pushing through a ban on the federal government doling out leases for oil-shale exploration in Utah, Colorado and Wyoming. The ban ended Oct. 1. Salazar, whose office declined to comment on his expected appointment later this week, backs oil shale, but wants a "go-slow" approach to ensure Western lands aren't damaged while trying to tap deposits, which supporters say can be processed into a synthetic fuel on a commercial basis. One problem Salazar would face is a shrinking Colorado River as the West's arid climate heats up. Oil-shale development, for instance, would require massive amounts of water that simply may not be available. Pat Shea, a Utah Democrat who led the Bureau of Land Management under President Bill Clinton, calls Salazar a "brilliant choice" who will bring a "night-and-day" difference from the Bush administration's handling of Interior. "Instead of the dark knight, we'll have the light knight," Shea says. "He will, both by his intellect and his public-office experience, move the department into the dynamic duo of energy on a sustainable basis, plus conservation." Shea notes that drilling will continue in the West under Salazar, but that it "will be a done in a scientifically precise way, rather than an Oklahoma land rush driven by greed." That approach satisfies the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance. "There are places where it is appropriate to drill," says Scott Groene, SUWA's executive director. "The problem with the Bush administration is they seemed to think everyplace was appropriate." Groene predicts Salazar will "bring balance to the leasing program for oil and gas on public lands." Energy companies are holding back any criticism of Salazar. Obama said during his nomination acceptance speech in Denver that he will tap natural-gas reserves, and having Salazar lead Interior means he's serious about that promise, according to the Independent Petroleum Association of Mountain States. "As a Westerner, Salazar knows that green jobs in the natural-gas industry are important to state and local economies," says Marc Smith, who heads the group. Salazar -- whose main campaign funding has come from the legal field, according to the Center for Responsive Politics -- has pushed for renewable-energy production, especially with solar and wind, and backs Western water projects. He also has advocated full funding of Payment in Lieu of Taxes grants to rural counties that help boost the coffers of areas with large swaths of government land. Salazar also was adamant about cleaning up the "culture of corruption" at Interior's mineral-leasing agency after a devastating inspector general's report identified potential criminal activity. The National Parks Conservation Association praises Salazar for his " strong demonstrated commitment" to parks as "national treasures." tburr@sltrib.com Reporter PATTY HENETZ contributed to this story.