Any bets on who steps up?

[cakadu]

Just found this on the food safety net. I wonder who will be taking her place?


Veneman resigns, first woman to head USDA
November 15, 2004
Reuters
WASHINGTON - Ann Veneman, the United States' first woman agriculture secretary, has, according to this story, resigned after four years on a job that included widely praised handling of the mad cow crisis last winter.
The White House was expected to make a formal announcement later in the day. Veneman planned to stay at USDA until a successor can take over.


This isn't going too well for Bush - Powell is rumoured to have mutually agreed with Bush he won't be returning and he lost a couple of other key people just after the election.

[farmers_son]

http://ilfb.aghost.net/index.cfm?show=4&id=13032

WASHINGTON (DTN) -- Speculation on a successor to Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman focused Monday on Missouri Farm Bureau President Charles Kruse, U.S. chief agriculture negotiator Allen Johnson, White House agriculture adviser Chuck Conner, USDA Undersecretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Bill Hawks, House Agriculture ranking member Charles Stenholm, D-Texas, who was defeated, and Rep. Cal Dooley, D-Calif., who is retiring.
Other names that have surfaced Monday included Rep. Frank Lucas, R- Okla., and Rep. George Nethercutt, R-Wash., who gave up a fairly safe House seat to run against Rep. Patty Murray, D-Wash., a race Murray won.


As Canadian beef producers the question is what does Veneman’s resignation do to the much anticipated rule on imports of live Canadian cattle. There were rumours of an announcement early in December, that looks unlikely now. My gut feel is it will do just exactly what the Bush administration wants it to do. I recall Bush’s commitment to trade in his speech with Martin at his side. Now that the excuse of the election is past us we will have to wait and see just how committed to trade Bush really is.

Just about every Canadian beef producer would be able to name the US Agriculture Secretary. How about a pop quiz...can anyone name Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister.... Didn’t think so. If that one was too hard, how about who is Canada’s Minister of International Trade. No cheating now, can’t check out Google. Bet you didn’t know.

It says something about this country when we are more aware of the US administration than we are about our Canadian government. It seems that our government is so ineffective and impotent that it just doesn't matter to Canadians who is in charge. Especially when it comes to international affairs.

[smcgrath76]

LOL. Perhaps Daschle can step in. He is probably looking for a job about now.