(I'm a fan of RFK Jr's passionate advocacy. Until he veers off into the not-quite-reality-based weeds. Jim raises some very important points here. And it's not just about this one case. - promoted by Paul Rosenberg)
Yesterday, I wrote a Quick Hit about an email campaign trying to prevent RFK Jr. from being picked as head of the EPA or Secretary of the Interior due to his stance on vaccinations. DarkSyde has since done a brief rundown of the reaction from the science blogging community.
There were two main criticisms of the campaign to stop RFK Jr. The first was that his stance on vaccines isn't too extreme. These commenters opposed my comparison with creationists and global warming deniers. The second was that even if his stance is anti-science it's not the scientific area he would be responsible for at the EPA or Department of the Interior, so it shouldn't matter. I will address these points below the fold.
It makes some sense that Obama wants a known bulldog enforcer like Rahm Emanuel as chief of staff. Emanuel's response, though, makes one wonder if he's capable of ever being a team player or a competent communicator.
Usually when somebody's offered a high post in a new administration, they knew it was coming. They've discussed it with the one making the offer. They don't jump at the chance to turn it into a reality show about their inner angst, a prolonged grab for the spotlight that tops even Lieberman's or Oprah's greatest hits. Here's a bit of the current dramedy:
"Just so you know, when I chose to run for Congress, I took months to think about it. This is being asked in a few days.
"I got a lot to weigh: my commitment to my country, my commitment to public service and why I got into this, as well as what I want to do as a parent. I'm honored. And I appreciate this. I have a lot to weigh: the basis of public service, which I've given my life to, a career choice. And most importantly, what I want to do as a parent. And I know something about the White House. That I assume is one of the reasons that President-elect Obama would like me to serve. But I also know something about what it means to a family."
The way this is done is, if you don't want the job, if you can't decide, you tell Obama not to make the public offer. You don't put Obama in the position of looking like he didn't vet his choice before announcing it. You don't make it look like he picked a ridiculous self-dramatizing Hamlet wannabe. Obama might want to find a way to gracefully withdraw the offer.
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