the plot thickens

The Dirk Watch

By Shea Andersen, 3-16-06

The speculation over who might replace outgoing Interior Secretary Gale Norton is increasing today, with new reports on just who might replace her.

Today Norton and top rumor-candidate Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne traded places in the datelines: Norton gave a speech in Denver yesterday and predictably, got hectored about her replacement. Kempthorne, meanwhile, is in Washington, D.C. on "other business." But we wonder, we wonder...

When she finished speaking in Denver, Norton told reporters she liked Bush's idea of choosing a Westerner to replace her. The Denver Post staked out the podium, and has this report.

Her quotage: "I think it's important to have somebody who really understands what a significant role the Interior Department can play in people's lives here in the West," Norton said.

Ouch, we say, on behalf of Deputy Secretary Lynn Scarlett, who had been thought of as a possible heir to the title.

More pondering on the Westernness of it all from The Missoulian.


Grist Magazine took up the question this week and spent plenty of ink pondering the Kempthornian possibilities. They put the Idaho exec on par with Scarlett, and interviewed Washington lawyer David Hayes, who was happy to hype the Spud State's man:

"He has more stature than any of the other picks on the shortlist," says Hayes. "He's a force to be reckoned with -- he has a very strong voice on Interior matters, has been a big influence on Norton, and would be a very interesting pick."

Another Hayes, Idaho Conservation League Program Director Justin Hayes, was also in the Grist piece, told the writer that Kempthorne has been an "outspoken critic of the ESA, pushing Gale Norton to let states implement their own species-management programs and shift that authority away from Washington."

Sounds like a good fit, observers say, for a Bush Administration looking to keep the momentum, such as it is, going.

We should do some tallying here: so far, the list still includes Colorado's retired Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell, but no longer includes Wyoming's Craig Thomas, reportedly not seeking any more Washington work.

But other names still on the list include Utah's James Hansen and Colorado's Governor, Bill Owens.

Like this story? Get more! Sign up for our free newsletters.