I’m not sure I agree with my colleague Iain Murray’s conclusion that today’s polar bear listing is one that Secretary Kempthorne didn’t want to make.
All signals from within the agency were that this politician, as bound by “legacy” concerns as any, and with a worse track record on these issues than most (Republicans, that is . . . which still says quite a lot), deeply desired some sort of listing despite recommendations to the contrary from scientists in the field (as a matter of principal this is something on which we apparently agree with the Left, so I look forward to WaPo getting all exercised about this).
Hence this compromise.
Now, everyone stand back and wait for the green love for Kempthorne. Realists of course have already seen Lucy walking away with the football.
The only open question is how a green, might-be-around-for-some-consequences administration will deal with the litigation next year. Fight, or more flight?