Region’s producers react to Election 2000

11/By The Delmarva Farmer staff
Contributions from Jane Graham in Virginia; Mark Powell, Carol Kinsley and Caryl Velisek in Maryland and Lisa Miller in New Jersey

At presstime, it was unclear who would be the nation’s next president. It was clear, however, that there was a marked degree of interest and concern from the Mid-Atlantic region’s farming community. Nationally, former American Farm Bureau Federation president and Iowa hog farmer Dean Kleckner was saying the farmer vote was crucial in the closely contested contest between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore.
Kleckner had traveled the nation in an effort to mobilize the rural vote. “On a whole slate of issues, the choices were clear to our communities,” he said. “Will the farm economy be revitalized by expanded trade or stifled by fear and protectionism. Will sound science or scare tactics prevail in the debate to protect the environment?”
Looking at an electoral college map, it’s apparent that much of rural America picked Bush as the man to lead the nation in a manner that would address their concerns. Even in heavily Democratic Maryland, which went overwhelmingly for Gore, almost every rural county went for Bush (with the exeptions of Somerset, Charles and Howard counties).
That put Frederick County cattleman Dean Considine out of sync with his fellow farmers. Considine said he was pleased Gore had made such a good showing and was disappointed in the American public in giving so many votes to Bush.
“I don’t see a whole lot of difference in the two candidates when it comes to doing things for the farmer,” Considine said. “And I don’t see Bush doing much for agriculture. Locally, the Democratic Party tends to be in favor of programs counterproductive to farming. When it comes to agriculture, they side too much with local environmentalists and create problems for farmers with legislation like the current nutrient management regulations.
“But, nationally, the Democrats have always done more for farmers.”
Culpeper County, Va., dairyman Steve Swan said he was pleased with Virginia’s election of former Republican Gov. George Allen to the U.S. Senate. “He’s a good man. I think agriculture in Virginia needs him.”
Charlie Clark, a Smyth County, Va., cattleman, said whoever gets the presidency, he expects political turmoil. “It looks like gridlock’s on the way.”
Clark confessed to mixed emotions about the election and noted it was the talk of the town. “I hope people learn that every vote counts,” he said. “If anything good comes out of it, I hope it’s this: It shows our democratic system works.”
Clark has something of an insider’s view of the political process. He is the son of Champ Clark, a farmer who once ran unsuccessfully for Congress.
One Eastern Shore of Maryland farmer did not want to speak publically against the state’s Democratic leadership. He said, “It’s obvious the farmer has been sold out (in this election). Individual rights are being sold out.”
In New Jersey, out of a group of some 30 vegetable farmers interviewed last Thursday, two said they had voted for Gore, the winner in the Garden State despite its Republican governor.
John Vannini, an herb and vegetable grower in Cumberland County, said he voted for Bush. “Bush is NRA (National Rifle Association) friendly and that I like,” Vannini said.
Salem County vegetable and grain producer Mario Caltabiano said he voted for Vice President Gore despite having concerns about some of the Democratic-inspired policies. “There’s too much importing being done,” he said. “Grains are brought into the country cheaper than I can grow it and sell it.”
Jerry Brown, a poultry farmer in Milford, Del., said he was disappointed in the two candidates for governor in Delaware. “I thought there were better people out there who could have run. I’d rather have seen a Republican win, but that didn’t happen.
“I’m worried about more regulation coming out this administration,” he continued. “Ruth Ann Minner has pledged to work really hard to clean up the Inland Bays. And the first people they jump on are farmers.
“Federally, I hope George Bush wins this thing down in Florida and that it gets settled quickly. We know Mr. EPA Jr. (Al Gore) would not be good for us.
“We all have to take responsibility for what we do out there. Let us take responsibility, and if we’re not doing the job, come tell us. But base it on something other than thought. Base it on something scientific.”