Where do the VP Candidates Stand on the Farm Bill?
To his credit, John McCain has said that he would veto the Farm Bill if elected president. This is in keeping with McCain's dogmatic opposition to wasteful government spending and special-interest subsidies. On Friday, North Dakota Republican Governor John Hoeven (who has been mentioned as a VP candidate by his home state paper) wrote a letter urging Bush to sign the Farm Bill, which led me to wonder where do some of the more realistic VP candidates stand on this issue? Let's find out:
Pawlenty: Supports. Governor Pawlenty signed a letter written by Iowa Governor Chet Culver and ND Governor John Hoeven in December 2007 urging the House to reach a compromise on the 2007 Farm Bill. The letter stated: “This legislation is important to our agriculture producers, our rural businesses, our communities and our states. On behalf of our farmers and ranchers, we urge you to pass this significant farm policy as soon as possible.”
Sanford: Opposes. Sanford voted for the 1996 Freedom to Farm Act, which instituted important reforms and phased out farm subsidies. He also led the fight to eliminate some particularly outrageous subsidies in the 2001 Agriculture Appropriations Bill and voted against final passage. At one point during the debate over an amendment to cut sugar subsidies, Sanford voiced his support for the amendment, saying, "I would go far as to say I think this program (sugar subsidies) is the equivalent of a crack cocaine of corporate welfare" (you can read the entire highly entertaining floor speech at Thomas on June 29, 2000).
Romney: Supports. During the presidential campaign, Governor Romney defended farm subsidies at the GOP CNN/YouTube debate.
Rob Portman: Opposes. Rep. Portman voted for the 1996 Freedom to Farm Act and voted against the subsidy-laden 2002 Farm Bill.
Charlie Crist: Supports. Gov. Crist joined Republican Governors Rick Perry and Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic Governor Eliot Spitzer in June 2007 in writing a letter advocating for the 2007 Farm Bill.
Bobby Jindal: Supports. Jindal voted for the original version of the Farm Bill (tax increase included) in July 2007.
John Thune: Supports. Thune voted for the Farm Bill.
Jim DeMint: Opposes. DeMint voted against the Farm Bill.
Mike Huckabee: Supports. On the campaign trail, Huckabee spoke enthusiastically about the Farm Bill and farm subsidies in general.
Joe Lieberman: Supports. Sen. Lieberman voted for the commendable 1996 Freedom to Farm Act, but more recently voted for both the 2002 and 2007 Farm Bills. Interestingly, Connecticut ranks 46th in terms of the dollar amount of subsidies received by state.
Sarah Palin: Her office had no official comment (FYI: Alaska ranks 48th).
In sum, only three of the above politicians are on record opposing the Farm Bill or farm subsidies in general--Sanford, Portman, and DeMint. I understand that some of these candidates are governors with strong farming constituencies in their states (Minnesota ranks 5th), but the Farm Bill is a fiscal abomination that wastes taxpayer dollars; doles out subsidies to millionaire farmers at a time of record-high farm incomes; distorts agricultural prices; and hurts America's free trade agenda. A number of senators and congressmen with large farming constituencies voted against the Farm Bill despite the potential for political backlash--Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Richard Lugar (R-IN), Jim Jordan (R-OH), Mike Pence (R-IN), and Ron Kind (D-WI) are some noteworthy examples. It would be nice to see more politicians taking a principled stand, especially if they want to be vice-president.
