Obama considering Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Environmental Protection Agency
source: http://www.truthout.org/110608L
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Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Photo: Jason Schmidt / New York Magazine)
President-elect Barack Obama is strongly considering Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Environmental Protection Agency, a Cabinet post, Democratic officials told Politico.
Kennedy's cousin, Caroline Kennedy, who helped Obama lead his vice presidential search, is being considered for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, although some Obama officials doubt she would take the post. Obama is indebted to the Kennedy family for a hearty endorsement at a crucial point in the Democratic primaries.
The selection of Kennedy would be a shrewd early move for the new presidential team. Obama advisers said the nomination would please both Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.).
It also would raise the profile of the EPA, which would help endear Obama to liberals who may be disappointed on other issues important to the Democratic left because of budget restrictions.
The EPA enforces clean air and clear water laws. Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and son of the late senator and attorney general Robert F. Kennedy, has long championed a cleaner water supply for New York City.
As an officer and attorney for the environmental watch group Riverkeeper, Kennedy has taken on governments and companies for polluting the Hudson River and Long Island Sound.
Kennedy, a falconer and white-water rafter, also worked as an assistant district attorney in New York City.
Kennedy gained Washington experience by fighting anti-environmental legislation in Congress in 1995 and 1996, when Newt Gingrich took over as House speaker.
The officials were unsure when Obama will make the selection. His transition planners have focused first on top West Wing staff and his economic and national security teams, all of which are scheduled to be announced early in the 76-day transition period. President-elect Bill Clinton was widely criticized for moving too slowly to appoint key staff and Cabinet secretaries during his presidential transition.
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- News, Green, Environment, Barack Obama, 6 more
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Bren589
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I think its a great choice. would love to see this happen
- 3 years ago
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Bren589
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thewarnerla
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Obama's cabinet picks are more exciting than the black guy being in office.
- 3 years ago
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thewarnerla
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sewbutterfly
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Go Obama!
- 3 years ago
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sewbutterfly
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TouchArt
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RFK Jr. is great. He has been an important voice on the dangers of mercury emissions from coal-fired electric plants that contribute to the current epidemic in autism and other neurological diseases.
Hope RFK Jr. is named EPA director and allowed to do the essential work that is needed to clean up our air, water and earth.
One Earth. Think About It/Act Like It.
RFK Jr. gets it. - 3 years ago
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TouchArt
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Brockie
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It looks like Obama is off to a good start. This is a good first step in the direction of change that he spoke about.
- 3 years ago
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Brockie
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keithponder
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Obama owes the Kennedys more than he owes anybody. Ted and Caroline were the first of the majors to crossover and endorse him. The Kennedys were instrumental in getting this party crunk up.
This is a no-brainer.
- 3 years ago
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keithponder
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AveryMoore
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nessie00,
Or he can borrow Senator McCain's jet and a few cars and actually do some good with it.
Keep counting those pennies, ness!
- 3 years ago
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AveryMoore
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nessie00
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Great! Now he can fly around in his private jet more often spewing pollution and spending out tax dollars.
- 3 years ago
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nessie00
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metalcookiesxy70
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One of the good choices Obama has picked..it will definity cover all environmental tasks, give it all you've got!
- 3 years ago
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metalcookiesxy70
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twinfish13
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Superb choice with his background, although I'd like to see Al Gore in the administration, perhaps in some newly-created "world environment(al)" post.
- 3 years ago
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twinfish13
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numinant
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wow. had i known this i might have actually considered voting for him.
- 3 years ago
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numinant
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diabolical44
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would be a great pick for the job. I truly admire RFK Jr. as with most prominent Kennedy's. RFK Jr. is keeping the legacy alive.
- 3 years ago
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diabolical44
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Skittmier
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Moms boss is going to the white house? tight.
- 3 years ago
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Skittmier
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khromadjo
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RFK Jr.'s a great choice, too.
- 3 years ago
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khromadjo
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khromadjo
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Two words: Al Gore.
- 3 years ago
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khromadjo
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AveryMoore
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khromadjo:
Absolutely right.
It would terrify the neocons too.
- 3 years ago
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AveryMoore
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Juas
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khromadjo:
excellent
- 3 years ago
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Juas
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keithponder
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khromadjo:
NAH, GORE SAT ON THE FENCE WAY TOO LONG.
- 3 years ago
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keithponder
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AveryMoore
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khromadjo:
keithponder,
True.
Gore did wait a long time.
But now that President Obama is talent hunting he could do worse than pick up additional support, globally and at home, by tasking Gore with something Gore might just find too irresistible to ignore.
And it would so annoy the idiots!
[...sorry...that just slipped out somehow.]
- 3 years ago
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AveryMoore
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huffamoose2k
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That is a great pick, he is MORE than qulaified for the job
- 3 years ago
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huffamoose2k
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huntre
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He would be an excellent choice in any capacity.
I expect to see great diversity in Obama's upcoming selections. - 3 years ago
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huntre
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CarolynGillis
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Great choice!
- 3 years ago
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CarolynGillis
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anikhanj
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Hey, they environment have some hope after all! Go Obama!
- 3 years ago
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anikhanj
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InformedTexan
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I hope it wouldn't be a pick out of indebtedness to the Kennedys however....
- 3 years ago
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InformedTexan
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AndreaKnoll
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Yes please!
- 3 years ago
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AndreaKnoll
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twodee
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This would be fantastic!
- 3 years ago
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twodee
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phillyphil
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obama should be appointing a former oil exec to this post.... didn't he learn anything form bush...?
- 3 years ago
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phillyphil
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jubal
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RFK Jr. would be an excellent choice, so would Leonardo DiCaprio.
- 3 years ago
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jubal
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aquamammal
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jubal:
Word~! Haha.
- 3 years ago
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aquamammal
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IMMININT
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But Obama has bad associations... what don't YOU PEOPLE understand?
:)
- 3 years ago
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IMMININT
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Ish05
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IMMININT:
IMMININT. Like who? Please explain. Resko, Auchi, Soros, etc. Yes all bad men. Some signify pure evil(Soros). I've read of a few of the people that created Obama and funded his rise to the top but is it not possible that he may very well leave those associations behind? Maybe I'm just high on hopium and hope that he has changed. We will just have to wait and see.
- 3 years ago
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Ish05
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IMMININT
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IMMININT:
... it was sarcasm. I tried to imply that with the smiley.
- 3 years ago
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IMMININT
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neocongo
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Incredibly good news. I am beginning to have hope for the environment. It is especially encouraging after so many years of foxes guarding henhouses.
- 3 years ago
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neocongo
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simplecj
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This is pretty exciting to see Obama looking at qualified and respected individuals to fill his new administration.
LOTS better than McCain who had even considered keeping Cheney on board... puke!!!!
- 3 years ago
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simplecj
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themaximas
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simplecj:
I totally agree I hope he continues his search for completely qualified individuals
- 3 years ago
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themaximas
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SeaJade
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These are quite wonderful organizations, I recommend taking a look at their web sites if you don't know about them.
This is River Keeper
http://www.riverkeeper.org/ - 3 years ago
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SeaJade
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