Speaker Pelosi: Pound salt

U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva should tell House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to pound salt.

She just offered him a prestigious position on the House Ways and Means Committee.
But if he were to accept it, Rep. Mike Thompson – Pelosi’s fellow California Democrat – could move a step up in the contest for Interior secretary.

That must not happen.

Grijalva’s support of our public lands is legendary – from the Grand Canyon to Tumacacori Highlands and the Black Mesa. That’s why more than 100 leading conservation and environmental groups endorse him to be named secretary, as do multiple Indian tribes throughout the West.

Grijalva also is backed by U.S. Reps. Gabrielle Giffords and Ed Pastor, his fellow Arizona Democrats, as well as Reps. Nick Rahall, chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee on which Grijalva serves, and many other members of the House and Senate.

He has been endorsed by this newspaper and the Arizona Republic, and by groups ranging from the National Federation of the Blind to the Humane Society of the United States.

None of these endorsements is accidental. Grijalva has fearlessly pushed to protect our public lands and waterways and to  defend the sovereignty of our Native American tribes, while also fighting to serve the most disenfranchised Americans and to save our wild horses and buffalo herds, among other causes he has championed.

"There are very powerful interests in both parties who would like to sabotage Grijalva – the oil and gas industries, the mining industry and many others – because of his record of integrity," notes the Rev. John Fife, retired long-time pastor of Southside Presbyterian Church. "They have even circulated rumors about his moral character.

"The reason Grijalva should be Interior secretary is precisely because of his integrity and moral character, especially when it comes to protecting our public heritage."

Grijalva hasn’t been intimidated by the Bush administration, and he won’t be cowed by Pelosi either.

President-elect Obama knows a good thing when he sees it. And when it comes to heading the Department of the Interior, Grijalva’s the best thing this country can offer.