We Call That a Big Tent

[Commentary] If you drew up the specs for a commerce secretary, John Bryson would seem to fit the bill. Bryson, President Obama’s nominee, brings a distinguished career as a businessman, public servant and environmentalist.

This is just the résumé for someone whose department is tasked with expanding exports, managing the census, monitoring the atmosphere and protecting America’s ocean waters. Bryson — a former chairman of Edison International, a Southern California utility, and a founder of the Natural Resources Defense Council — has already received a wide range of endorsements. Supporters include the Center for American Progress, the Natural Resources Defense Council and other advocacy groups, and the Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable and the main utility industry group, the Edison Electric Institute. Yet Senator James Inhofe and Representative Darrell Issa, both Republicans, have vowed to oppose him. We look forward to Mr. Bryson’s confirmation hearing, and urge the Senate not to delay. From all we know right now, he looks like the right businessman-environmentalist for the job.