Obama's New Sec of Transportation: What You Need to Know About Ray LaHood

[Orwellian_Ghost]

Obama's New SoT: What You Need to Know About Ray LaHood

Posted by Faiz Shakir, Think Progress at 5:49 AM on December 20, 2008.

Ten years ago, Ray LaHood was gaveling in House impeachment proceedings against President Clinton. Today, President-elect Barack Obama announced that he would be serving as the next Secretary of Transportation.

LaHood is a moderate Republican who has broken with his party over Amtrak funding, voting yes last summer to expand passenger rail service. He also broke with the GOP on the Saving Energy Through Transportation Act. In 2005, he told the Peoria Journal-Star that "we've got a good Amtrak system in Illinois and I don't think we want to destroy it by talking about privatization."

Friends of the Earth responded to the LaHood nomination by saying: "While his overall record on energy and environment issues is poor, LaHood has in recent years broken with many in his party to support crucial investments in passenger rail and public transportation, and he is a member of the Congressional Bike Caucus." LaHood also supported the bicycle commuter benefit bill.

<snip>

http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/114276/obama%27s_new_sot%3A_what_you_need_to_know_about_ray_lahood/

[Jamastiene]

1. OMG,

another fucking Republican. Hide the damn shovels and bulldozers before he digs Hitler up and appoints him too.

[FrenchieCat]

2. OMG! That so witty!

[Zynx]

3. That's only two.

[Indiana_Dem]

4. It's about time we got someone in their who will fight for rail and bicycling.

We're going to need it badly in the future, mark my words.