Biden’s decision to reinstate Vilsack, former Iowa governor and U.S. ag secretary for both Obama terms, has been criticized by reformers, who saw the Biden administration as a chance to get some new and more environmentally conscious blue blood at the ag policy-making level.
Political commentators speculate that Biden’s choice of ag secretary was made, in part, to cool the heated competition for the position between two factions of the Democratic party. Conservatives backed former Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-North Dakota), while reformers with an eye on climate change rallied behind Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio). The selection of Vilsack, who currently serves as CEO of the Dairy Export Council, does not leave much hope for those hoping for sweeping amounts of reform, though no one knows what the future holds.
Ag groups have, in large part, voiced support for Biden’s choice. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CEO Colin Woodall said in a news statement that Vilsack “has the unique skill set to be able to hit the ground running on day one, and cattle producers are thankful for this continuity.” Julie Anna Potts, president and CEO of the North American Meat Institute stated in a news release, “Secretary Vilsack brings experience and leadership to the Department of Agriculture at a critical time when the meat and poultry industry works to put food on American’s tables and to keep the farm economy working in a pandemic.”
Experience is high on the résumé of most of Biden’s picks for his cabinet. Most of those Biden has already selected are, like Vilsack, old campaigners from the Obama era, though he insists that “this is not a third Obama term.” According to a report from Politico, Biden is prioritizing people with experience who can hit the ground running and rebuild agencies – a difficult task at the best of times but even more so when trying to induct a new generation at the same time. Most of his cabinet are also getting long in the tooth. The average age of the 12 people he has nominated so far will be 63 by the time Biden moves into the White House. Biden, who was 66 when he became vice president, is 78 years old and will be the oldest president ever inaugurated. 
-
Carrie Veselka
- Editor
- Progressive Cattle
- Email Carrie Veselka
