Yeutter Called Favorite for Top Agriculture Job
U.S. Trade Representative Clayton K. Yeutter is the front-runner to be agriculture secretary in the Bush Administration, according to congressional and farm industry sources.
“The Bush people seem to want Yeutter,” said a congressional aide close to the transition team of President-elect George Bush. Although Bush advisers are leaning toward Yeutter, the sources said, transition officials said Bush has made no decision.
Yeutter, who is in the midst of acrimonious trade talks in Montreal this week, has frequently said he desires to return to the private sector. But he has not ruled out remaining in government.
Other possible candidates for post include Missouri Republican Rep. Tom Coleman and Deputy Agriculture Secretary Peter Myers.
Yeutter has a background as a Nebraska rancher, lawyer and agricultural economist. He served in high-level Agriculture Department jobs under Presidents Nixon and Ford. He also was president of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, a major trading center for financial
and commodities futures, from 1978 to 1985.
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