Jumping Jackson
Dec 28, 2012
Bishop Hill in Climate: Parliament

US Environmental Protection Agency chief Lisa Jackson, who has been at the centre of a growing scandal over allegations that she used a pseudonymous email account to avoid public oversight, has resigned from her post.

The Mail makes explicit the link between her standing down and Chris Horner's ongoing litigation, which is expected to force the emails into the public over the next few weeks. The story in the Guardian is rather different:

Jackson's departure had been anticipated as part of the usual changeover for a second term. But the last four years were tumultuous.

The split is interesting. Saying that Jackson's jumping was "anticipated" is spin rather than straight reporting. Back in November, nobody was saying one way or the other (see for example here):

Sources close to the Obama campaign were split on whether Jackson will stay for another term. Practically speaking, getting a new EPA administrator confirmed in another Obama term would be a Herculean task. Bob Perciasepe, the agency’s deputy administrator and chief operating officer, is widely rumored to be a top choice to move up if Jackson leaves.

I can't find anything firm to suggest that opinion had hardened against her since. So, let's just say that Obama's decision was probably made a little easier by the decision that the secret email account had to see the light of day.

 

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