Iowa is the nation's largest producer of corn, soybeans, and pork. As such, the state's second most important export is corn, followed by soybeans, followed by meat (interestingly, Iowa's most important export is tractors). Vilsack's agricultural experience has been as an advocate for those industries and a politician dependent on their favor. Appointing him to head the agency is like appointing the governor of a petrostate to head the Department of Energy. The pick may turn out for the best, but there's little evidence of that in the official record.There's more at the link, including some caveats.
Meanwhile, The Hill reports that Republican Illinois Congressman Ray LaHood is likely to be named Secretary of Transportation. Appointing LaHood would be another sop to Obama's much-vaunted bipartisanism, and you know how I feel about that.
I have no idea what LaHood's credentials are re: transportation. All I know about him is that he's a whiny-ass jerk.
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