Bush's new secretary, Mr. "Ed'' goes to Agriculture

by Mark Silva

"This is Ed.''

That's how Ed Schafer liked to answer the phone in the governor's office in North Dakota. It wasn't a very big office -- the staff photo fit on a page of the state Web-site.

It's not a very big state either -- with fewer people counted by the U.S. Census there in 2000 than were counted in 1900. We got a chance to know it, and to love it, during the aftermath of the Red River Flood in 1997, when the river overflowed the levees and deluged the city, followed by fire that decimated a good piece of downtown, including the newspaper -- the company formerly known as Knight Ridder summoned reinforcements to staff the stricken paper.

And it was there, dealing with the governor's office, that we first met "Ed.''

Schafer probably won't be answering his own phone at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where President Bush hopes to station him as secretary for the president's remaining year and then some in office. The far-flung agency counts more than 100,000 employees -- a little more than one-sixth the number of people who live in the state of North Dakota.

(Schafer and Bush. AP Photo b by Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

"I rely on the secretary to provide sound advice on issues ranging from our nation's farm economy and food supply to international trade and conservation programs,'' the president said today, with the announcement of Schafter's nomination in the Roosevelt Room. "To carry out these responsibilities, the Secretary of Agriculture needs to be someone who understands the challenges facing America's farmers, ranchers and consumers.

"Ed Schafer is the right choice to fill this post,'' he said. "He was a leader on agricultural issues during his eight years as the governor of North Dakota. He worked to open new markets for North Dakota farmers and ranchers by expanding trade with China.

"He oversaw the development of the state's agricultural biofuels industry. He helped families recover from natural disasters -- including drought, fires and floods. And he pioneered innovative programs to increase economic opportunity in rural communities.''

"Ed also has extensive management experience in the private sector. Before running for public office, he was the president of the family-owned business that his dad started. He's also launched a number of entrepreneurial ventures of his own. At every stage of his career, Ed has shown wisdom, foresight and creativity.

"His maternal grandparents were Danish immigrants who worked as farmers on the plains of North Dakota. Ed has always kept their story close to his heart. And they'd be proud to see their grandson rise to become our nation's top agriculture official.''

He also got his state through one hell of a flood ten years ago.

"I'm extremely proud of my heritage,'' Schafer said with the president today, "and I would like to thank our grandparents and parents and children -- in fact, our whole family -- for the warm loving embrace in which you hold me always.

"I also want to recognize the people of the great state of North Dakota,'' he said. "Throughout the years, they have supported, encouraged and nurtured me, and that has been tremendously uplifting,'' he said.

"Mr. President, I come from an agriculture state, as do you,'' Schafer said. "Growing up in that arena, and focusing now on the USDA, I realize that the mission of this agency goes far beyond the services delivered to the preservation of a way of life that I believe is the foundation of this country.''

So say hi to Ed -- should he win Senate confirmation, which seems fairly likely, he will serve as the nation's 29th agriculture secretary. You may have to leave a message.