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Editorial: Senate ignores a voice of extremism

Saturday, Aug. 1, 1998 | 4:34 a.m.

The Idaho Republican has earned his reputation as one of the U.S. Senate's most reactionary members, supporting extreme policies that would irreparably harm the environment.

He was at it again recently, this time threatening to hold hostage the nomination of Bill Richardson to be the next U.S. Energy secretary unless the president gives the Energy secretary the sole authority to place a temporary nuclear waste dump in Nevada -- reversing previous White House policy.

But the White House refused to buckle. Craig, feeling the wrath from even fellow Republicans for this nonsense, backed down Friday as the Senate approved Richardson's nomination.

Needlessly rushing to find a home for nuclear waste is shortsighted and could lead to an environmental disaster. Craig simply wanted to do an end-run on sound public policy, trying to bully the White House by playing the worst kind of obstructionist politics.

Even many who disagree with Clinton's position on a temporary nuclear waste dump didn't believe Richardson's nomination should be delayed.

Fortunately, the Senate ignored the ranting of a man whose view of the environment more closely resembles a scorched-earth policy.

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