Indianz.Com. In Print.
URL: http://www.indianz.com/News/2006/013858.asp

Editorial: Kempthorne left questions unanswered
Tuesday, May 9, 2006

Indianz.Com Listening Lounge, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee confirmation hearing for Interior Secretary nominee Dirk Kempthorne, May 4, 2006. • Introduction by Idaho Senators - 8:31 - 1.9MB • Opening Statements by Senators - 44:54 - 10.2MB • Dirk Kempthorne Statement - 14:57 - 3.4MB • Q&A I - 35:41 - 8.2MB | Q&A - 41:42 - 9.5MB | Q&A - 26:49 - 6.1MB • Text: Kempthorne Statement

"The U.S. Senate likely will confirm Dirk Kempthorne as the next U.S. secretary of the Interior, but he shouldn't get a free pass. He didn't fully answer key questions during his confirmation hearing last week, and some of his answers conflicted with past positions. And Kempthorne, currently Idaho's governor, didn't articulate his views on balancing energy production with other values on federal lands.

Wednesday, the Senate's Energy and Natural Resources Committee is expected to send Kempthorne's nomination to the floor, so the questions should be put to him today.

Kempthorne's views are crucial to our region and to Colorado. The public deserves a fuller understanding of those views than he's so far given."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Questions for Interior choice (The Denver Post 5/9)

White House Announcement:
President Bush Nominates Dirk Kempthorne as Interior Secretary (March 16, 2006)

Relevant Links:
Coeur d'Alene Tribe - http://www.cdatribe.com
Nez Perce Tribe - http://www.nezperce.org
Shoshone-Bannock Tribes - http://www.shoshonebannocktribes.com
Gov. Dirk Kempthorne - http://gov.idaho.gov

Related Stories:
'Shameful' lack of leadership at BIA decried (5/5)
Kempthorne confirmation hearing to start May 4 (5/1)
Interior Department big on new regulations (04/24)
Kempthorne confirmation hearing slated for May (04/10)
Interior nominee Kempthorne meets with senators (4/4)
Tribal issues put Kempthorne in hot seat at Interior (03/21)
Kempthorne offered DOI post on day of nomination (03/21)
Kempthorne's Senate record scant on Indian issues (3/20)
Tribes wary of Kempthorne, Interior nominee (3/20)
Idaho governor nominated for Interior Secretary (03/17)
Senators expect to confirm Kempthorne at Interior (03/17)
Norton hopes Westerner will take helm at Interior (3/16)
Montana-Wyoming tribes seek Indian for BIA job (3/16)
Connecticut tribes worried about BIA leadership (3/16)
Campbell touted for Interior Secretary Cabinet post (3/15)
Campbell recommended to run Interior Department (03/14)
Indian leadership still lacking at Indian Affairs agency (3/13)
A rocky five years for Norton at Interior Department (3/13)
Oklahoma tribal leaders sad to see Norton leave (3/13)
Editorial: Norton missed chance to settle Cobell lawsuit (3/13)
Norton denies Abramoff played a role in resignation (3/13)
Bush to look West to fill Interior Department position (3/13)
Editorial: Norton leaves behind an unhappy legacy (3/13)
Secretary Norton to step down at end of March (3/10)
Griles arranged for Norton photo with Abramoff (01/30)
Norton refutes alleged influence of Abramoff (12/15)
Watchdog group sues DOI over Abramoff documents (12/07)
Eastern Pequot Tribal Nation seeks recognition probe (12/01)
Inside the BIA, according to Jack Abramoff (11/23)
Bernhardt nominated for Interior solicitor post (11/21)
Salon: Italia Federici a 'minor' Republican player (11/18)
Audio: Italia Federici testifies before Senate panel (11/17)
Appeals court leaves trust accounting to Interior (11/16)
Norton lobbied on Shinnecock Nation recognition (11/15)
Report: Griles had repeated contacts with Abramoff (11/07)
Editorial: No rewrite for national park policies (11/03)
Interior drawn into Senate committee's lobbying probe (10/26)
Interior claims shutdown will cause 'grave injury' (10/25)
Interior ordered to protect Indian trust fund systems (10/21)
Editorial: National parks under siege by Bush (10/21)
National Park Service proposes management policies (10/19)
Norton pushes for more drilling in wake of hurricanes (09/28)
DOI spends $30K to produce glossy report on trust (09/20)
Senate delays action on ANWR drilling in budget (09/14)
Gale Norton: New approach to conservation needed (08/30)
Cobell fights effort to oust judge from trust fund case (08/29)
Appeals court stays Lamberth order on notices (07/29)
Federal Register: Probate Reform Act certified (06/28)
DOI denies mismanagement of Indian trust funds (06/21)
White House told DOI to pay attention to Abramoff (06/20)
BIA hopeful says he won't bring 'baggage' to the job (06/20)
Norton defends Myers' record as Interior solicitor (06/02)
Lamberth orders Interior to turn over e-mails (05/27)
Gaming leads to new concerns about lobbyists (05/26)
Miccosukee Tribe still fighting state on Everglades (05/26)
DOI to go ahead with wireless despite IG report (05/24)
South Dakota Democrat asks White House for BIA job (05/23)
Norton won't reconsider Paugussett recognition (03/31)
Gale Norton: Drilling in ANWR won't hurt environment (03/14)
Pueblo leader endorsed as new assistant secretary (03/04)
Editorial: Famous Dave's background not enough (02/09)
Famous Dave Anderson: 'The bureau needs to change' (2/4)
Anderson's resignation blamed on lack of support (02/01)
Dave Anderson resigns after year as head of BIA (2/1)

Copyright © 2000-2006 Indianz.Com