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Sanford Bishop for secretary of agriculture?

Speculation about who from Georgia might join the inner workings of the Obama Administration has been riddled with the absurd. Pay no attention, for instance, to talk that former Gov. Roy Barnes is in line for secretary of education.

But this one may have some meat: U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) is being mentioned as one of the top three — perhaps two — prospects for secretary of agriculture.

As leading candidates, the Kansas City Star names Bishop, Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Rep. John Salazar of Colorado.

And Sebelius says she’s not interested.

The Star attributes its report to Agri-Pulse, a Washington-based newsletter on agriculture. Says the newsletter:

Bishop was a co-chairman of Obama’s Georgia campaign, but his name surfaced in speculation only recently. He was first elected in the Black Belt district in 1992, and has been on the House Appropriations Committee since 2003 and its agriculture subcommittee since 2006.

He has been especially active on peanut issues, securing committee approval of $74 million for peanut storage in the supplemental spending bill. His voting record has been the most conservative in the Congressional Black Caucus. (He would be the second black secretary of a department that has a checkered record at dealing with African American farmers.)

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Comments

By Jeff

December 5, 2008 10:14 AM | Link to this

Hey, Obama could make a move that I would THOROUGHLY and COMPLETELY support!

Just to get Bishop out of SWGA….

By Sir Winston

December 5, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this

I would love to support The Obama, peace be upon him, with a pick like this. I share Jeff’s opinion. Just get Sanford the heck out of SOWEGA. Bishop campaigns like a Republican and votes like a lib. Please Mr Obama, peace be upon you, promote Sanford “Dixie Cup” Bishop.

By FUBU

December 5, 2008 11:13 AM | Link to this

What does it mean when a blog has either 2 posted responses or zero?

By GaConservative007

December 5, 2008 12:00 PM | Link to this

“Dixie Cup” That is great. I remember Bishop taking a leak, in public, on an airplane. One of my favorite Bishop stories!

By Greg

December 5, 2008 12:43 PM | Link to this

If he chose to take the position, he will do an outstanding job as he has done for the past sixteen years in congress. He has brought resources to the second congressional district that would have been hard for any other congressman to do. As an elected official, I have had the distinct pleasure to watch the congressman work and I have never seen a person that can reach as many people as he can and know them all by their names. He is a great guy. Good Luck Sanford.

By smm

December 5, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

bishop would be great for the post!!!

By Jeff

December 5, 2008 1:06 PM | Link to this

Greg:

Out of curiosity, will you go on record with your name and office?

By Moses

December 5, 2008 1:08 PM | Link to this

Sanford has a good memory therefore he is qualified to be Sec Agriculture.

By Mark

December 5, 2008 1:14 PM | Link to this

Sanford is an inept fool that is reelected based solely on his loyalty to special groups. Sanford is an empty suit. I have always called him Rev. Sanford Bishop. He reminds me of Jesse and Al.

By rural

December 5, 2008 1:35 PM | Link to this

Bishop would be a excellent choice for the post, since his district is very, very rural & it’s top industry is agriculture & it would put a southerner in the administration. Plus his district is solidly democratic so it would remain in democratic control.

By Occuppied

December 5, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this

Great idea. When Georgians go to visit Sanford in Washington he could pass out Dixie Cups with the Sec. of Ag. seals on them as gifts.

By Denise

December 11, 2008 3:56 PM | Link to this

No, his district is not solidly democratic. The people of SWGA knows what we have in Sanford and this is why he is re-elected. His district is conservative and republican, all is well for Saxby, not Sanford. Sanford has to work twice as hard to get re-elected. SWGA will suffer without the likes of Sanford Bishop. I wish him well if he is chosen, but it will be a lost to us in SWGA.

By Denise

December 11, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this

No, his district is not solidly democratic. The people of SWGA knows what we have in Sanford and this is why he is re-elected. His district is conservative and republican, all is well for Saxby, not Sanford. Sanford has to work twice as hard to get re-elected. SWGA will suffer without the likes of Sanford Bishop. I wish him well if he is chosen, but it will be a lost to us in SWGA.

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