As I surmised might happen in a comment I made to a post by Tom Philpott at Grist on ag reform, "Sustainable Dozen" member Chuck Hassebrook, Tom Vilsack's choice for Deputy Secretary, is having trouble getting through the Senate Ag Committee. North Dakota's Kent Conrad is trying to kill Hassebrook's nomination before it's even officially announced. Nick Kristof has the details here (h/t Jill Richardson).

Remember that in the Senate a single senator wields enormous power and can put a stop to any bill or nomination if he or she so chooses. With everyone's attention on the stimulus package, this is the perfect time for a little backroom backstabbing. The current members (and their states) of the Senate Ag Committee appear below. Everyone should call, but if you live in one of the listed states, please do call your Senator now - your voices matter. Pennsylvanians, that means YOU!