Obama appears unlikely to keep promise to hold national rural summit during his first 100 days

The White House "appears to be modifying a campaign promise that arguably helped propel Barack Obama into the White House," reports Howard Berkes of National Public Radio.

In October 2007, Obama promised voters in Iowa that he would hold a summit in the state on rural issues during his first 100 days in office. He was trailing Hillary Clinton in the polls, but three months later, he won the Iowa caucuses and was on his way to the Democratic nomination. But now, 44 days after assuming power, his administration has still not made plans for a summit on rural issues and earlier supporters are growing skeptical.

Just after November's election, two key rural figures spoke out about the importance of rural vitality. Obama "made a very strong commitment on coming back to Iowa to hold a summit on the future of rural America," said Chuck Hassebrook of the Nebraska-based Center for Rural Affairs said in a November interview with NPR. Berkes also reports that Debby Kozikowski, vice chair of the Massachusetts Democratic Party and founder of Rural Votes, a group that campaigned for Obama, is raising questions. "Keeping that promise is critical to moving rural economies and rural life forward," she told Berkes.

A week after the inauguration, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, a former Iowa governor, indicated the summit might not be held in the time frame promised. The White House indicated likewise this week when questioned by Berkes and The Rural Blog. While not directly saying the summit would have to wait, spokesman Shin Inouye said, “The greatest issue facing rural America, and all Americans, is the need to get our economy back on track. As he works to address this critical issue, President Obama is committed to hearing from and addressing the needs of rural America. In both the stimulus bill and his budget overview, his administration is taking affirmative steps to help strengthen rural America. He is working with his cabinet, advisors and Congressional allies to form a comprehensive rural agenda, and is planning on hosting a forum to discuss those ideas.”

Inouye is director of specialty media in the White House Office of Media Affairs. For Berkes' story, click here.