The unlikely issue of federal farm subsidies has already become a force in 2012 presidential politics: over this past weekend, well-regarded Republican candidate potential Jon Huntsman cleverly told the media in New Hampshire:
"I'm not competing in Iowa for a reason. I don't believe in subsidies that prop up corn, soybeans and ethanol."
A politician's fate in Iowa usually depends directly on his or her support of farm subsidies: Iowa received 8.5% of all U.S. farm subsidies from 1995 to 2009, the second highest recipient in the nation. Ethanol and corn are top Iowa farm crops.
I say "cleverly" because in a one simple sentence, former Utah Gov. Huntsman:
- Put President Obama on the defensive because, despite his public protestations over farm subsidies, Obama's 2008 presidential campaign relied heavily on donations from Illinois ethanol producers.
- Caused Republican rival Tim Pawlenty to appear hypocritical, as the former Minnesota governor quietly claims to oppose ethanol subsidies, but, per ABC News, "Pawlenty is logging countless hours in Iowa, petitioning voters one-by-one to support his campaign."
- Gave a plausible and pragmatic reason for not campaigning or competing for the Iowa caucus, which are the first contests of the 2012 president primary season.
Huntsman, who served the last two years as President Obama's ambassador to China, campaigned over this past weekend in early primary state New Hampshire. Urbane Huntsman was never expected to fare well in Iowa.
Federal farm subsidies, which totaled $250 billion from 1995 to 2005, are the crack cocaine of the political world: both Democrats and Republicans deride them as "corporate giveaways" and "federal welfare for farm businesses."
But many politicians are viciously addicted to contributions and votes from the recipients of federal farm subsidies, especially those politicos from agriculture-heavy states. Therein lies the rub: to win the White House, presidential candidates must win a majority of the seven states that receive 42% of all farm subsidies.
Just like crack cocaine, they absolutely know that federal farm subsidies, as is, are detrimental to the U.S. budget. But they're dependent on contributions and votes from the recipients of federal farm subsidies.
For stomach-churning examples of this terrible dependence, see my summarized listing of Agriculture Donations to U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee Members. Fair warning: it's ugly...
That's why it's clever and interesting that two Republican presidential candidates, Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman, are skipping the Iowa caucuses and apparently not relying on financial support from the agribusiness industry. Of the two, only Huntsman has thus far used fat-cat farm subsidies as a political weapon.
Going forward, look for federal farm subsidies to be a major issue, and political weapon of choice, in the 2012 presidential race.
Comments
Hi Deborah –
Very good.
The reporters that cover Huntsman say that he is the best campaigner that they have ever seen. I believe that he is positioning himself for 2016, when, after the drubbing of 2012, being a moderate Republican will no longer be seen as a perjorative within the party.
Hello Deborah,
Great research and way to effectively highlight this paradox in policy. I am trying to get a campaign going to seriously urge our Congressmen and women to reduce the subsides for the 2012 Bill…do you know of any groups I could get involved with? Thanks!
Great article about an important topic. It’s amazing how much federal fiscal policy is dictated by agribusiness and other corporate lobbyists. No wonder the debt is $14 trillion and growing! Big business has the money to spend to influence votes.
Most Americans are unaware how the food industry (which, as you pointed out, now consists of very few family farmers) have cheapened the quality of food we all eat by changing the discussion to one of price. Food is not, and shouldn’t be, a commodity. The e coli scare in Germany is just an example of a global food industry that pollutes our soil, treats animals like mechanical parts, feeds us genetically modified organisms without our knowledge and runs up our debt.
This is a critical topic, and I’m glad you are bringing it to our attention. I hope it is hotly debated in all coming elections!
I’m a mature Grad student working on my MBA in Public Mgtmt and it is research and articles like this that has continuously made me say “WOW” about the many facets of politic deceit. Thank goodness for persons like you!! I’d love to get involve with issues like these. Keep up the great work. If I can help, lets talk.