Office of rural affairs in the Obama White House appears unlikely

President Obama created a White House Office of Urban Affairs last week, but he appears not to have the same status in mind for rural America.

Asked if Obama plans to create a rural office in the White House, spokesman Shin Inouye told The Rural Blog tonight, “The president is committed to addressing the needs of rural Americans, and will work with the various departments, including Agriculture, Interior and Commerce, to achieve this goal.”

Obama's main rural theme during his campaign was help to extend broadband Internet in rural areas, and the stimulus bill he signed last week includes more than $7 billion for that work.