If you look at those electoral maps of the United States, you often see a big red swath going right through farm country from the Dakotas to Texas. In the organic sector, my impression is that the biggest political force is libertarianism, because these are people who went off on their own, who didn't trust the dominant ideology, whatever it was, and who wanted to do their own thing on the farm.
But they still vote. And in that regard, I'll say two things. First I was encouraged that Obama had actually read and thought about Michael Pollan's Letter to the Next President in the New York Times magazine. Secondly, I thought of farmers when I viewed this video from People in the Middle for Obama (which I first saw on Andrew Sullivan's blog).
- Samuel Fromartz
There was an article on Brownfield (below) suggesting that in fact the red swaths are rural voters (Daily Yonder has been covering McCain's lead with them since the primaries ended), but amidst them many (most?) ag industry leaders are actually in Obama's camp. Single reason: ethanol. Obama supports it, McCain doesn't. I, too, was heartened to see that Obama paid attention to Pollan's article. And yet right now sun-based ag and ethanol are two polar opposites--that's a lot to reconcile within one ag policy. My hope is that he will recognize just how intertwined ag and energy are, but my guess is that ultimately ag will not be a top priority. What will matter most is who he chooses for Secretary.
Farm leaders differ in candidate loyalty
Friday, October 17, 2008, 4:24 PM
by Tom Steever
Farm leaders are stumping for the presidential candidates based on McCain’s and Obama’s stands on several agricultural issues. Missouri Farm Bureau President Charlie Kruse co-chairs and is one of several state Farm Bureau presidents on the McCain-Palin Farm and Ranch Team.
“When you look at what I think are the most important issues of the day when it comes to agriculture, John McCain really trumps Senator Obama on all of those,” said Kruse at the Missouri Farm Bureau Headquarters in Jefferson City.
Among those issues Kruse cites energy, trade, taxes, judicial appointments and national security as the top farm and general issues in the presidential election.
Kruse says he’s had extensive conversations with Senior McCain campaign officials about the need for U.S. farm policy to include a safety net, and about the importance of renewable fuels. Farm Bureau policy supports each. McCain voted against the farm bill and favors an end to subsidies for farm-raised fuels.
Meanwhile, former National Corn Growers Association President Leon Corzine says he’d rather not risk upsetting the farm economic resurgence that has been fueled by ethanol and biodiesel subsidies.
“We take a look at the new markets that we have as well as the traditional markets, the ethanol market in particular, and renewable fuels, including biodiesel; Senator Obama understands, he supports us,” said Corzine from the truck in which he was hauling soybeans during the harvest on his Assumption, Illinois farm.
Corzine is also pleased with Obama’s support of the 2008 Farm Bill and what Corzine says is the essential farm safety net that is part of it.
Posted by: Lisa M. Hamilton | October 30, 2008 at 10:32 AM
There was another good piece on Grist on Obama's ethanol policy and how it might evolve:
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2008/10/27/154113/75
Posted by: Sam Fromartz | October 30, 2008 at 03:13 PM