It didn’t go off quite as planned, but Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner held his first telephone press conference with the media on Monday afternoon. After a brief opening statement, it was opened to questions, but there weren’t any! Even though there were nearly 100 reporters on the line.

That was because they apparently had some technical difficulties and an hour or so later they got us all back on the line to ask questions.

Nevertheless, the Acting Secretary was acting like a secretary and promised a “seamless transition” from Secretary Johann to Conner’s, at least temporary, leadership. However, the scuttlebutt around DC is that Conner may be the front runner for the nomination, so you might get used to seeing this face for the next 18 months or so.

Listen to Acting Secretary Conner’s press conference opening statement:
chuck-conner.mp3