Greens mixed on Obama's Interior, Agriculture picks

He was also praised by the League of Conservation Voters, who called him a "a powerful ally not only to America’s farmers, but to all who would protect our National Forests."

Other groups claim that the former Iowa governor, who in 2001 was named Governor of the Year by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, is far too friendly to Big Ag. The 850,000-member Organic Consumers Association's chief, Ronnie Cummins, called Obama's pick a sign of "the continuation of agribusiness as usual, the failed policies of chemical- and energy-intensive, genetically engineered industrial agriculture."

"Americans were promised ‘change,’ not just another shill for Monsanto and corporate agribusiness. Considering the challenges we collectively face as a nation, from climate change and rising energy costs to food insecurity, we need an administration that moves beyond ‘business as usual’ to fundamental change—before it’s too late.”

Perhaps the most telling quote about Vilsack comes from the Monsanto Company, as quoted in the Des Moines Register [via Grist]:

"He has a very balanced view of agriculture and understands its potential."

- Ted Crosbie, vice president of global plant breeding and director of Monsanto's Iowa operations

Ken Salazar

Obama's pick for Interior secretary was praised by the National Audubon Society (whose chair, Carol Browner, has been tapped as the administration's energy czar). In a press release sent out Wednesday afternoon, Audubon board member Peggy Montaño praised the Colorado Democrat:

"Ken Salazar is an outstanding choice for Secretary of the Interior. In the thirty years I have known Ken I have witnessed his deep respect for the land and water resources of our country. He understands very clearly the challenges facing us in the use and protection of our public lands. He will be an excellent leader of the agency."

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