Why? Look, I disdain ag subsidies as much as the next guy, but the fact that Harry Reid agreed to put Lincoln as chair of the Ag Committee suggests that he doesn't take global warming seriously. That's my real issue here. Yes, I know, the position will probably help her get another term, but we shouldn't be working toward giving Lincoln another term...we should be mounting a primary challenge against her, to keep her honest if nothing else.
I suppose it's possible that giving her such a plum position gives the Democrats some sort of leverage over her--she loses her gavel if she kills the climate change bill--but I tend to think that these sorts of spots should go to hard-charging party members that have demonstrated legislative skill and loyalty to core principles, not to backbench hacks who haven't adjusted to the new (i.e. post-Clinton) state of affairs: that being a good Democrat and taking tons of special interest money don't mix. Or, they shouldn't. But, then again, Harry Reid couldn't even bring himself to kick Lieberman's butt to the curb when he endorsed the other party's presidential nominee so I don't really expect tough leadership from him. The wait for Majority Leader Chuck Schumer continues.
