Ditto

1) He’s a scientist, not a political hack. For perhaps the first time, this job is going to someone who doesn’t have strong “Party” ties or deep pockets or a member of an influential law firm. It’s going to someone who already knows the issues and has used science to deal with them.

2) SMU is just keeping a job for him when he’s through at EPA. He obviously won’t be teaching and doing the RA job at the same time.

3) Far from a”government-knows-best” approach, Dr. Armendariz represents a “citizens-know-best” approach, having worked with countless neighborhood and community groups over the last five years or so. He’s used science to criticize government inaction and wrongful action at both the dederal and state level.

4) He very even-tempered, as befits a chemical engineer. He’s not into rhetorical flourishes, or empty gestures. He’s all about where ever the science leads him.

4) No previous RA has had much administrative experience – unless you count being a junior partner in a law firm or becoming the Mayor of Arlington. That part of the job is not the hard part. It’s the policy-making, leadership and the negotiating that’s difficult. Dr. Armendariz is very experienced in these kinds of situations.

Even those of us doing enviro work are completely amazed that someone of his caliber and background has been picked, instead of a John Hall-type Dem Party hack.
It’s a positive sign from this administration that they value a dedication to the issues over Dem Party contributors and lobbyists.