Thompson declares his independence

0 Comments | USA TODAY, December, 2004 | by William M. Welch

WASHINGTON -- Any question about why Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson might not have been a good fit in President Bush's second-term Cabinet was answered in his moment of resignation.

Thompson, 63, displayed the independent streak that has characterized his tenure when he issued a blunt warning that the nation's foods remain vulnerable to terrorism.

"For the life of me, I cannot understand why the terrorists have not attacked our food supply, because it is so easy to do," Thompson said at a news conference Friday announcing his resignation after four years in the job. Thompson said that he had fretted over the threat "every single night."

Barely a day after Thompson's remarks, Bush dismissed Thompson's alarm while not disputing the danger....