"As Colorado's U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar stood next to President-elect Barack Obama in Chicago on Wednesday, he pledged to be a faithful steward of the nation's public lands.

He has his work cut out for him.

If Salazar is confirmed as the new Interior secretary, he will take on a department wracked by internal controversies, unduly influenced by energy company interests and led astray by those who ignored science in favor of politics.

Balance must be restored to Interior, and Salazar is a measured centrist who has the right sensibilities for the job.

In some ways, occupying the center is the toughest place to be since you're likely to get flack from both ends of the political spectrum.

Indeed, Obama's decision to nominate Salazar for Interior elicited howls from some environmentalists. The key word here is some."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Salazar's balance right for Interior (The Denver Post 12/18)

From Change.Gov:
President-elect Obama announces Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture (December 17, 2008)

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