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He's a rancher, former Colorado junior senator, and one of the "Gang of 14" against filibustering extremist Bush judicial appointments. In addition, he supported Alberto Gonzales for Attorney General, then introduced and sat with him at his Senate confirmation hearing.
In 2001, he also backed Gale Norton (a former Colorado Attorney General) for Interior Secretary, and the worst of her pro-business, anti-environmental policies. William Myers III as well, a former ranching industry lobbyist and Interior Department solicitor, for the federal bench even though the American Bar Association rated him "not qualified."
It gets worse. His overall environmental record is abysmal. In 2005, he voted against higher fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks, so-called "Corporate Average Fuel Economy" (CAFE). He also opposed an amendment to repeal tax breaks for Exxon Mobil and other Big Oil and gas companies, and supports unregulated drilling on federal lands, including offshore.
He voted limiting offshore Florida Gulf coast drilling, and backed subsidies for the livestock industry, ranchers, and other users of public lands and national forests. He fought efforts to increase Farm Bill protections for endangered species and the environment, and threatened to sue the US Fish and Wildlife Service when its scientists determined that the black-tailed prairie dog was endangered.
In 2007, he was one of the few Democrats against a bill requiring the Army Corps of Engineers to consider global warming when planning water projects. According to Project Vote Smart, the US Humane Society rated his voting record a low 25%. The Fund for Animals scored him zero during 2005 and 2006.
Other critics expressed dismay about a man with close ranching and mining industry ties as well as no interest in environmental protection or reforming drilling and other energy development practices. Unsurprisingly, the criminal Gulf incident happened on his watch, and he's spearheading coverup.
When the Interior Department's head is compromised, inspectors on the take, using drugs, and engaging in other improprieties follow - apparent longstanding practices at Interior, likely also throughout government agencies, serving business when they're supposed to be watchdogs.
A Final Comment
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