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05.11.2008
That's Not Pseudoscience We Can Believe In

This can't be for real: Robert F. Kennedy Jr is being considered for EPA director? You mean the RFK Jr who wrote this? Really? I mean, really? I thought an Obama administration was going to be pro-science.

P.S. Actually, this Obama comment from way back when now seems much more explicable.

P.P.S. Looks like Kennedy's being considered for two jobs. This Politico article says EPA; this Politico article (linked to in my original post) says it's Secretary of Interior. Let's hope both articles are wrong.

--Jason Zengerle

Posted: Wednesday, November 05, 2008 3:22 PM with 11 comment(s)

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ratnerstar said:

The Politico article mentions RFK Jr. at the Dept. of Interior, not the EPA.  Which is better, but yeah, still.  Step up your game, Barack.

November 5, 2008 3:48 PM

GSpinks said:

Ummm, slow down, kemosabe...I think you're a little confused:

Environmental Protection Agency administrator: Former Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R-R.I.); Kathleen McGinty, former head of the Pennsylvania Environmental Protection Agency

Secretary of the Interior: Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.), Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

November 5, 2008 3:52 PM

singlespeed said:

um jason...

RFK Jr. is listed under possibles for Secretary of Interior per the Politico link you've provided. Before you go overboard about RFKs supposed pseudoscience bonafides and freak out that he's going to run the EPA at least read carefully.

Regardless...I wouldn't chose him for Dept. of Interior either. I'd tap someone from the West for that position since most of the lands controlled by Interior are in the West anyway.

Udall would be great but convincing him to give up his just won seat would be tough.

November 5, 2008 4:08 PM

Environment and Energy said:

We're closing the new issue of TNR today, so, for now, I'll have to put off writing more about

November 5, 2008 4:09 PM

arsonplus said:

Uhm ... is everyone forgetting the one thing we've learned about the Obama team? I mean, they don't leak.

this is just noise.

November 5, 2008 4:27 PM

gchernack said:

You're citing the old post about Obama talking about vaccine skepticism is misleading.  When he talks about "this person," he is clearly talking about the person who raised a question about it.  (There is video.)  He is not referring to himself.  McCain's statements were much, much worse on the subject.  Nothing indicates that Obama agrees, only that he was addressing a voter's concern.

I do agree about the concerns about RFK Jr.

November 5, 2008 4:56 PM

dbhuff said:

Jeez, how quickly the bloom falls off the rose...

Seriously, this would be bad, but I agree, we don't usually get leaks from Obama. And if that's changing now, I expect some serious ass kicking in tomorrow's staff meeting...

November 5, 2008 5:29 PM

mkayser0 said:

Well, the Biden pick was leaked.

November 5, 2008 5:36 PM

GSpinks said:

Here is what the article says about it's sources for this information:

Here is the list of names being widely discussed in Democratic circles, compiled with the help of ABC’s Jonathan Karl and Politico’s Ben Smith. Some of the names are more likely than others, but all are being seriously considered by Obama advisers. Some of the sources would be involved in decision making, and some were making educated deductions. In any case, ask a well-positioned Democrat, and this is what you’ll hear.

I seriously doubt there are any leaks involved. Sounds like a massive compilation of things Obama has thrown out in recent months, combined with some expert speculation.

November 6, 2008 3:30 AM

kpidcoc said:

I have no idea if the story has any merit, but it would be an awfully bad idea.

It would have the flavor of James Watt's appointment to Interior, suggesting that the administration enjoys ignoring scientific consensus.

November 6, 2008 8:51 AM

kpidcoc said:

I have no idea if the story has any merit, but it would be an awfully bad idea.

It would have the flavor of James Watt's appointment to Interior, suggesting that the administration enjoys ignoring scientific consensus.

November 6, 2008 8:54 AM