The nomination battle brought out a nasty display of character assassination, misrepresentation, divisiveness and just plain hatred on the part of the left-wing coalition that fought the confirmation, showing again that the New McCarthyism is alive and well on the left. It would not have been to Nelson's credit to be associated with Ashcroft's leading critics, who included most of the angriest, least reasonable elements of the Democratic Party. Anyway, Nelson's home-state supporters and detractors will have a multitude of opportunities to find talking points in his votes and positions. Six years is a long time, and it wouldn't be reasonable, or fair, to predict his behavior on the basis of one vote which will soon be overtaken by events and become a footnote. Ann Veneman has climbed aboard safely as President George W. Bush's secretary of agriculture.
Congratulations are in order.
Other Bush Cabinet nominees have had a much more difficult time winning Senate confirmation. But the top spot at the Agriculture Department may not be the safest place for a veteran administrator to alight at this juncture in history. Come to think of it, as Congress settles down to the task of rewriting federal farm law, rural America may not be the safest place for ag producers to be living and working, either. We hope producers will find a friend and advocate in the new secretary. For those who hated planting restrictions, the farm bill has been a spectacular success.