Heard from an AZ group that Raul Grijalva might be passed over for the Interior

[Bobbieo]

position in favor of CA's Mike Thompson.

[pinto]

1. Both are good choices. I favor Grijalva more, though. We'll see what happens.

:shrug:

[Phlogistician]

11. Mike Thompson would be a DISASTER!

He is in the pocket of big hunting (Safari Club International). He voted against roadless areas in Alaska's Tongass. Voted FOR bear bating. Voted against intra-city rail.
More here:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/12/9/211310/644/967/671272

He is NOT good!

[balantz]

2. If Grijalva is chosen will he still be a Congressman?

We can't afford to lose him here in Pima County, especially since our Governor is off to head the DHS and leaving a Republican in her place.

[pinto]

3. No. New Rep will be by your state law - appointment or special election. ? Not sure what it is there

[balantz]

4. We can't afford to lose him here. n/t

[Phlogistician]

13. yes you can...

he is a blue dog democrat in a progressive district. time for him to get out and make way for someone who better represents his constituency.

[AzNick]

16. After losing Napolitano, I am ready to ship out

I am tired of this State anyway.

[Shiver]

8. It's impossible, and I think illegal, for anyone to serve in two branches of goverment...

...at the same time. The Cabinet is a part of the Executive branch, and Congress is the Legislative branch. If he was chosen, he would have to resign his seat, as will anyone else who currently holds office.

[balantz]

10. Oops. I wasn't sure from reading the OP that this was a caabinet position. n/t

[Thrill]

5. Sounds like Grijalva may have had some problems with vetting

"Grijalva faced some hiccups in recent days and fell off the shortlist, said a source close to the transition."


Thompson also has issues

Thompson, meanwhile, has been hit by a barrage of environmentalist attacks in recent days for his ties to industry groups and his love of hunting.


http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/08/AR2008120803537.html

[Alter Ego]

6. Ties to industry is fine, but love of hunting is no reason

to stop a guy from being Interior secretary. Christ, Teddy Roosevelt was an avid hunter--and he was probably our biggest environmentalist President to date.

[Thrill]

7. All these interest groups have an issue

with everyone in some way or the other. Obama is better off just choosing who can get through the vetting process and who he thinks is the best for the jobs. And not listen to this fake outrage

[Phlogistician]

12. it's not just the hunting...

It is his VOTES too. Thompson is a blue dog conservative Democrat who generally favors agriculture over wilderness, and seeks to expand hunting access and limit ESA listings. Look at his record. It is generally good by LCV standards, but there is some really ugly stuff in there.

He voted FOR Bush's "Healthy Forests Initiative" for cripes sake!

[boppers]

15. La Raza (and associated)

Raul stands by his peoples.

I'm fine by it, but on a national level, it's total drama.

[CreekDog]

9. both are great choices and both are great Congressmen

Grijalva was one of the most liberal members of the Pima Board of Supervisors back when I lived in Tucson. Good guy. Thompson before being a congressman was a state senator from the California district that includes Mendocino and Humboldt.

[Phlogistician]

14. but look at thompson's record on the environment

it is not good. he voted to hunt cougars (despite this issue twice being rejected by california voters). he voted to allow importation of polar bear carcasses into the us. he is in the pocket of big hunting (safari club international voted him legislator of the year). he is bad news.