| "Lincoln is "a great champion" for agriculture," according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. That tells you all you need to know. The same Reuters article also called Lincoln a "staunch defender" of commodity subsidies.
For more read-it-and-weep news about Lincoln, I recommend this piece on her by Tom Laskawy. He says:
And what about Blanche Lincoln? Well, as Phil Brasher of the Des Moines Register puts it:
Lincoln is as vigorous a proponent for large farms and livestock interests (think Arkansas-based Tyson Foods) as there is in Congress. Pair her with the panel's senior Republican, Saxby Chambliss of Georgia, and you have a powerful one-two punch for the southern perspective on agricultural policy.
Let's spell out what that could mean. More leniency on Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). No bans on non-therapeutic use of antibiotics in livestock. No cleanups for manure lagoons. More rice and cotton subsidies. And, by the way, Lincoln thinks limiting payments to even the largest farms is a rotten idea. Meanwhile, since the Agriculture Committee is likely to play a key role in marking up climate legislation, it's worth considering her views on that front. Here's ag reporter Chris Clayton:
Lincoln also likely is going to be more skeptical of climate legislation because it may offer little benefit for rice growers or producers of other southern crops. She was quoted in mid-August saying Congress should just focus on a renewable-energy bill and drop the cap-and-trade emissions plan.
Not only that, but Lincoln's currently facing a tough re-election race in 2010, giving her incentive to move even further to the right.
If you aren't familiar with the Farm Bureau, please watch the 60 Minutes videos I've embedded below. |
