The Presidential Primaries: Who Actually Has a Food Policy?
I'm as much of a political junkie as I am a food junkie, so for the last week I've been glued to both the television and computer screens, soaking up punditry on the Iowa caucuses and the New Hampshire primary tomorrow.
With all the newspaper headlines about food safety and food politics it is interesting to note, as Food Democracy blogger Annie Richardson did here, who, if any, of the candidates actually has an articulated food policy.
According to Richardson, it turns out that, of all the major candidates running, only John Edwards does. Edwards says all the right things (Is Michael Pollan an Edwards adviser? That's what it sounds like.)
Could this be so? You would think that Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton would weigh in on this important topic. Actually, you would think that every viable candidate in both parties would have something to say about our food supply and food politics. Maybe they have, and Richardson and I have just missed it. The safety, sustainability, and deliciousness of our food supply matters to every American.
On a lighter note, wine blogger Dr. Vino gives a wine-lover's guide to the presidential primaries. No big surprises here.
Add a comment:
Previewing your comment:
HTML Hints
Some HTML is OK: <a href="URL">link</a>, <strong>strong</strong>, <em>em</em>
Comment Guidelines
Post whatever you want, just keep it seriously about eats, seriously. We reserve the right to delete off-topic or inflammatory comments. Learn more at our Comment Policy page.
If you see something not so nice, please, report an inappropriate comment.
11 Comments:
That is a very interesting article on many levels. One thing I do find myself slightly at odds with Ms Richardson about is the ability to choose "safe, American-raised meat". I personally would be far more likely to use the labeling to avoid American, hormone- and antibiotic-packed meat. But generally, improved labeling would be a good start.
sarahdlr at 9:28AM on 01/07/08
I'm fairly certain that Ron Paul is interested in lifting restrictions against the selling and purchasing of raw milk. Tucker Carlson mentioned it in a piece he wrote for The New Republic: http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=83665295-1de6-4571-af9c-0a90f6d1fde0
ErinAtUnclutterer at 10:27AM on 01/07/08
safety, sustainability, and deliciousness of our food supply totally matter, but as we can already see, regardless of whether they have a set food policy or not, the voters already have an opinion of the candidates.
foodinmouth at 11:51AM on 01/07/08
Thanks for pointing this out and reminding us all about the importance of food safety and food policy in this race for the American presidency. In all the hubbub about the war in Iraq, national security, and other issues, we often forget about our everyday basic needs!
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 12:00PM on 01/07/08
I agree that the food supply completely matters but like 'foodinmouth' says people have made up their minds on the candidates based on other matters. People just don't feel (as I do) that our food supply is in jeopardy. It doesn't resonate as other (perhaps more emotional) topics do. The fact that Edwards is the only candidate that has a detailed position on this particular topic will still not make me vote for him. Ever.
bravian at 12:52PM on 01/07/08
I know that people will make their voting decisions on other criteria, and I probably won't vote for Edwards either, but you would think the other candidates would at least weigh in on food-related issues.
Ed Levine at 1:39PM on 01/07/08
It doesn't really surprise me that John Edwards is the only candidate with an articulated food policy--he's spent much of his time since the last presidential election working on poverty issues, and the poor tend to be the hardest hit by the lousy food policy we have currently in place.
msmla at 4:07PM on 01/07/08
I think it's a case of not worrying about the pantry when the house is burning.
Adam Kuban at 4:50PM on 01/07/08
They'll all run on about cheap, because that's what most US citizens think is important.
Judith in Umbria at 6:29AM on 01/08/08
I was at an event with Michael Pollan, Dan Barber, and Joan Dye Gussow (swoon) at the 92nd Street Y in NYC yesterday - and Pollan said something that spoke to Ed's question.
He said that having the first primary in Iowa - where heavily subsidized corn and ethanol are king - actually makes it challenging for candidates to articulate a progressive food policy.
Of course the Iowa primaries are only one small part of the story - and it's still sad that despite all of the amazing work around the Farm/Food Bill this year, that more candidates haven't taken a stand on food policy issues. But it's still fascinating to think how much one state can impact not only the outcome of the primaries, but the topics candidates feel comfortable talking about.
Leah
Editor, The Jew & The Carrot
http://www.jcarrot.org
TheJewAndTheCarrot at 11:27AM on 01/09/08
the problem w/ food politics is...politicians.
no presidential candidate will risk the support of "farm states", who have small populations but equal say in the Senate (and therefore disproportionate political clout).
i would be really proud of ANY candidate who'd have the balls to seriously address food policies, as they not only affect each of us as individually as eaters in this country, but as terrible neighbors who have enormous (and unfortunate) influence in the global food market.
aneffingfoodie.com
effingfoodie at 12:55PM on 03/07/08