About

Bleeding Heartland is a community blog about Iowa politics: campaigns and elections, state government, social and environmental issues. Bleeding Heartland also weighs in on presidential policies and campaigns, federal legislation and what the Iowans in Congress are up to. Join our community, post your thoughts as comments or diaries, help keep our leaders honest and hold them accountable.

Author

- desmoinesdem

Highlights

- Iowa politics in 2008
- Iowa politics in 2009 (1)
- Iowa politics in 2009 (2)
- National politics in 2009 (1)
- National politics in 2009 (2)
- Who's who in the Iowa House for 2012
- Who's who in the Iowa Senate for 2012
- Add this blog to your list of Technorati favorites

2012 Election Previews

- IA-01
- IA-02
- IA-03
- IA-04
- Senate district 14
- Senate district 18 (2011)
- Senate district 22
- Senate district 26
- Senate district 28
- Senate district 32
- Senate district 36
- Senate district 38
- Senate district 40
- Senate district 46
- Senate district 48
- Senate district 49
- House district 14
- House district 26
- House district 28
- House district 30
- House district 40
- House district 43
- House district 46
- House district 48
- House district 55
- House district 56
- House district 57
- House district 58
- House district 60
- House district 63
- House district 64
- House district 66
- House district 68
- House district 76
- House district 80
- House district 88
- House district 91
- House district 92

Paid Advertising

Mobile Blog Reader - powered by Notice Orange

Bleeding Heartland
It's what plants crave.

John Norris confirmed at FERC

by: desmoinesdem

Tue Dec 29, 2009 at 11:17:33 AM CST

Catching up on some news from last week, the Senate confirmed more than 30 of President Obama's nominees right before Christmas, including Iowa's own John Norris for a spot on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Norris and his wife Jackie Norris were key early Obama supporters here. After Obama's inauguration, Norris served as chief of staff for Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, but he always planned to move to the FERC if possible. He is well qualified for the position after spending several years on the Iowa Utilities Board.

Jackie Norris served as chief of staff to First Lady Michelle Obama for several months before moving to a senior advisor position at the Corporation for National and Community Service.

John Norris' confirmation was overshadowed by news that the Senate rejected six Obama nominees without even giving them a vote. The most prominent name on that list was Dawn Johnsen, Obama's choice to head the Office of Legal Counsel. For more on that story, read commentaries by Daniel de Groot at Open Left, bmaz at Firedoglake, and Turkana at the Left Coaster. Senator Ben Nelson helped Senate Republicans stall Johnsen's nomination in the spring.

UPDATE: Kay Henderson posted Norris' official bio and some statements reacting to his confirmation at the FERC.

desmoinesdem :: John Norris confirmed at FERC