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Jim Miller Steps Down at USDA

by: Jill Richardson

Tue Jan 18, 2011 at 22:48:04 PM PST

USDA Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Service Jim Miller has resigned from the USDA. This might sound like boring or routine news but I think it is actually significant. Miller was a favorite of Sen. Kent Conrad (D-ND), who he worked for on the Senate Ag Committee before moving over to the USDA. From the rumors I heard, Miller's role within the USDA was to keep Kathleen Merrigan from doing anything too "organic-y" (if you know what I mean).

At this point, there's no word on why he resigned, but it's fairly normal to have turnover in high level government positions like this. I wouldn't be too surprised if Miller left because he was offered a high paid lobbying position for Big Ag... or if he left for another reason but gets a lobbying job all the same. I also wonder how this will change things around the USDA, and who will be chosen to replace Miller for the remainder of Obama's term.

Jill Richardson :: Jim Miller Steps Down at USDA

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Jim Miller Steps Down at USDA | 5 comments

North Dakota (4.00 / 1)

Maybe this has something to do with North Dakota? I don't know what, but Senator Dorgan left office just a few days ago, and now Conrad announces that he won't run again.

by: count @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 07:04:45 AM UTC

by: you @ soon

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They're joining Canada... (4.00 / 1)

...and I'm going with 'em!

;-P

by: JayinPhiladelphia @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 08:12:47 AM UTC

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by: you @ soon

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Conrad's poll numbers are so low (4.00 / 3)

that there was doubt he could pull off a win even with two years to go until he's up for reelection. It seems Kent decided it is just not worth the fight. And this way he can help lead the battle to gut Social Security without giving the well-being of North Dakota voters a thought.

I don't know what Miller's post-USDA plans are, but I will be stunned if Conrad moves his life back to North Dakota. I expect a Tom Daschle-like lobbyist and very serious person life in Washington, D.C.

I cannot, for the life of me, remember the last time a long-serving member of Congress from a mostly rural state returned to that state after leaving Congress. I guess you can't keep 'em down on the farm once they see DC.

by: caseyOR @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 08:33:59 AM UTC

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poll numbers (4.00 / 1)

Did low poll numbers contribute heavily to Dorgan's departure? I had the impression he grew tired of beating his head against walls, but I might be wrong.

by: count @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 08:45:16 AM UTC

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Yeah, Dorgan would have had a fight had he run last Nov. (4.00 / 3)

I think what finally made him decide to quit was the health insurance reform bill. Dorgan believed that too many backroom deals were made with BigPharma and the insurance companies.

His efforts to have the federal government use its negotiating power to get lower prices for Medicare Part D drugs was voted down in committee. And his bill to allow Americans to import drugs from Canada and other countries was defeated on the Senate floor with the Democratic leadership stabbing him in the back by voting against it at the behest of the White House.

He was so disgusted after that vote. Not long after that he decided not to seek reelection.

by: caseyOR @ Wed Jan 19, 2011 at 09:04:33 AM UTC

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