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Published on Tuesday, December 16, 2008 Guest Opinion: Obama could choose a solid GOP
conservationist for Interior
Key components of leadership are
listening and learning. Barack Obama seems to understand this to the
relief of at least some of us who did not support him. He has exhibited
careful, sure-footed leadership in this transition period. Obama projects
stability, and in the shadow of a teetering economy, that is the
leadership we need.Obama campaigned in the Democratic primaries as a solid liberal, and his brief record as a U.S. Senator places him firmly in the liberal camp. He has not, however, behaved as a left-wing ideologue since his election. As he completes his cabinet selections, Obama has a great opportunity to reach deeply into the rival political party to fill the important position of Secretary of the Interior. It was recently reported in the Congressional Quarterly that Theodore Roosevelt IV, great grandson of the legendary "Rough Rider" is under consideration by Obama for the Interior cabinet post. A solid conservationist in the spirit and tradition of his distinguished ancestor, Theodore IV may be on a similar philosophical wavelength with Obama on issues in the purview of the Interior Department. But he is a credentialed lifelong Republican in the sadly disappearing tradition of Abraham Lincoln; his namesake, Theodore Roosevelt; Herbert Hoover; Dwight Eisenhower; and Gerald Ford. No "Obamican" is he. Theodore Roosevelt IV addressed the Republican National Convention this year in support of John McCain. In Lincolnesque fashion, by naming Roosevelt Secretary of Interior, Obama could reach out for an ally without retreating from his principles. Good politics and good policy. In addition, a Roosevelt pick for Interior would be a historical first for Montana. No Montanan has ever served in the national cabinet. Roosevelt owns a ranch in the Snowy Mountains east of Lewistown. While that doesn't necessarily make him a Montanan, it would be as close as we have ever come. It would be good for political unification, good for the country and good for Montana if soon-to-be President Obama could listen to and learn from Secretary of Interior Theodore Roosevelt IV at the cabinet table. And it would be consistent with the kind of presidential leadership Obama has, so far, provided us. New job studying ChinaOn a personal note, I will be leaving my position here at the University of Montana Center for the Rocky Mountain West at the end of this year to begin new work at the University Mansfield Center. I will be able to focus more directly on Asian and Pacific matters, particularly as they involve China, where I have taught and traveled. I am particularly excited about advancing the study of the Mandarin Chinese language in our public schools. Other languages are important, but one fifth of humanity speaks Chinese. English is required throughout China, and most young people there can speak to us in our language. Almost none of us can speak to them in theirs. In a shrinking and increasingly connected world that has to change.I expect to continue to do an occasional column but perhaps not as regularly as I have in the past. Bob Brown, a senior fellow at the Center for the Rocky Mountain West in Missoula, is a Republican and former Montana secretary of state and Senate president. Copyright © The Billings Gazette, a division of Lee Enterprises. Ads by Yahoo!Civil DialogueThis week, billingsgazette.com launches Civil Dialogue, a forum for civilized discussion of the news. It replaces Talk Back! and awaits your constructive comments. --Steve Prosinski, editor, The Billings Gazette sprosinski@billingsgazette.com Billingsgazette.com provides this community forum for readers to exchange ideas and opinions on the news of the day. Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude language and personal abuse are not welcome. Moderators will monitor comments with an eye toward maintaining a high level of civility in this forum. Our comment policy explains the rules of the road for registered commenters. If you don't see your comment, perhaps... more »
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