Is Bob Graham the best choice to lead the Gulf Oil Disaster Commission? ... by gimleteye

As presidential blue ribbon panels go, former US Senator and Governor Bob Graham has gravitas to qualify as a commission co-chair on the Gulf Oil Spill Catastrophe. As governor of Florida from 1979 to 1987 and a United States Senator from 1987 to 2005, Graham experienced a share of the nation's disasters; from big oil spills off California to the Challenger tragedy. Although Graham always opposed offshore drilling, his claim to achievement balancing environmental protection and industry have heavy asterisks.
Graham cites Everglades restoration-- memorialized by Congress and President Clinton in 2000-- as his signature accomplishment. The plan Graham supported was cobbled together at great length, expense and investment. It was also a "work-around" of Big Sugar in the Everglades Agricultural Area that counts him a very close friend.

In his weekly radio address, President Obama described Graham as having, "... earned a reputation as a champion of the environment, leading the most extensive environmental protection effort in the state’s history." Yes, Everglades restoration was very important to Graham. Yes it has been the extensive environmental effort in state history. And the poor results can't be papered over.

The progress cited in today's Everglades restoration could have been initiated 25 years ago or even earlier if leaders like Senator Graham were decisive. If Senator Graham excelled in the Everglades, his achievement was along the lines of drawing geographical boundaries separating private and public interests and hoping time would dissolve differences. The bottom line is exactly has proven in federal court: deliverables on the Everglades never did well as politics. There's always been more talk, than action and talk is not a good solvent for oil.

Big Sugar dominates Florida politics the same way that Big Oil, the Gulf of Mexico. Sure, there are plenty of non-profit conservation groups who can be summoned to defend the pace of protections in the Gulf as in the Everglades. On the other hand, a younger, tougher fighter against corporations and their influence would have been a better choice to co-lead the Obama commission.