December 22, 2008

ISSUE 1249

On Dec. 17, president-elect Obama formally nominated former Gov. Tom Vilsack, D-Iowa, for Agriculture Secretary. The president-elect said that Vilsack has been “forward looking” regarding cellulosic ethanol and harnessing wind and solar power to give a boost to rural communities.

Vilsack was the first Democratic candidate to enter the 2008 race but dropped out later saying he couldn’t compete with the fund-raising capabilities of other candidates. He endorsed Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and served as a co-chairman of her campaign, but campaigned for Obama during the general election, saying they had common views on renewable energy and rural growth.