Robert F. Kennedy: Environmental Protection Agency Head?

In an interview with the Huffington Post, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. -- reportedly under consideration by Barack Obama to head the Environmental Protection Agency -- said that if asked, he would serve.

Expressing deep satisfaction -- almost relief -- with the election of Barack Obama yesterday, Robert Kennedy Jr., the longtime environmental activist and member of the Democratic Party's most cherished family, said he would serve the next president if asked.

"You know what, I would be of service in any way that the administration asked me to be," Kennedy told the Huffington Post. "But I am also very happy and I believe I am being effective doing the stuff I am doing currently."

More from Politico:

President-elect Barack Obama is strongly considering Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Environmental Protection Agency, a Cabinet post, Democratic officials told Politico.

...

The selection of Kennedy would be a shrewd early move for the new presidential team. Obama advisers said the nomination would please both Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.).

It also would raise the profile of the EPA, which would help endear Obama to liberals who may be disappointed on other issues important to the Democratic left because of budget restrictions.

The EPA enforces clean air and clear water laws. Kennedy, an environmental lawyer and son of the late senator and attorney general Robert F. Kennedy, has long championed a cleaner water supply for New York City.

As an officer and attorney for the environmental watch group Riverkeeper, Kennedy has taken on governments and companies for polluting the Hudson River and Long Island Sound.

Read posts by Robert Kennedy Jr. at The Huffington Post.

Comments

[theone718]

Definitely be a shrewd and fantastic move from the O campaign.

[happylittlevegemite]

YES!!! RFK, Jr for EPA head...You know it makes sense

[lunamobile]

Kennedy would be the PERFECT choice for head of the EPA!

[Lizaxyz]

Yes, Yes, please pick Robert Kennedy Jr!

[Farnham]

I am a twenty year veteran of the EPA, and the prospect of working for RFK is absolutely energizing to me, and I know, to many of my colleagues. Let's do it! And I hope this is the first of many enlightened choices for the Team.

[dagnew]

I'm of the Kennedy era, and appointing RFK Jr. to head the EPA just feels right. I hope O goes through with it.

[Pickums1283]

Oh, I hope so. That would really make my week. I am reading "Crimes Against Nature" right now and I think he would do a really good job.

[Ranta]

Or have him fix our election process of which he is also an expert.

[arsi]

Picking Bobby as head of EPA would be amazing. Yes!!!!!!

[PatricefromNH]

The PERFECT position for this outstanding environmental leader and public educator. An inspirational choice!

[cruisepuppy7452a]

So what was Al Gore chopped Liver? How could anyone throw Gore under the bus like this? The man has worked his behind off for this with Kennedy. Kennedy is a good guy, no question, but why not give Gore what he deserves? Passing him up is a huge mistake.

[Kate4Change]

Gore doesn't want it. He said very clearly that he likes what he is doing now and doesn't want it.

[PatricefromNH]

Why pass on Gore? Probably because he has great respect for his wishes. Gore has made it abundantly clear that he doesn't want a cabinet position because he has a bigger global role to play.

[suec03]

The EPA is about regulating polluters. Al Gore is more interested in promoting new technologies to reduce emissions, increase fuel efficiency of vehicles, and promote solar, wind, geothermal and hybrid engines. That would be in the purview of the Secretary of the Department of Energy, not the EPA.

[LaFilleEnRose]

OMG as head of the EPA!! What a great thought. Wouldn't he be awesome in that position. Someone who will not put up with any shenanigans at all from corporate destroyers is beyond my wildest hopes. Oh please let this be Obama's plan. Okay RFK Jr will be perceived as radical. The right will hate him. But we need someone radical to restore what the Bush corporate sob's have done. We can't have too many of what will be perceived as in-your-face appointments by the right. But at the EPA we certainly do need an strong Enforcer who's not one bit scared of the opposition and who knows better than most where the problems are.

[brooklyncitizen]

Anyone would be perceived as radical after Bush's current appointment.

[Agathena]

Is this a dream? will I wake up soon?

This would be so excellent. It would mean real environmental protection, safeguards for drinking water and air quality.

Hope it's true.

[The Lorax]

Seems too good to be true, doesn't it?

I am so happy at the thought of it though

[onlyyour2]

The Work Of Our Better Angels:

http://headofstate.blogspot.com/2008/11/work-of-better-angels.html

[The Lorax]

Yes, take the EPA back and fix what the last 8 years has done to it. Oh my this is a happy day, I hope he does it!

[ceasenake]

Great Choice! Just let the Under Secratary do all the talking, please.

[spartanmom]

Listen to this a few times. It grows on you!

http://www.archive.org/details/jfks19610427