Hey, here’s a message for everyone preparing a campaign in the event Jim Oberstar gets called up to be Secretary of Transportation: Crack a cold one and enjoy the status quo. Obama’s team is vetting a congressman, but not ours and not even a Democrat. The Hill, which I found through PoliticalWire, reports that Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) is under consideration for the transportation post. This would satisfy Obama’s pledge to appoint a Republican to the Cabinet (Robert Gates, though a Bush appointee as Defense Secretary, is technically an independent). It also would keep Rep. Oberstar (D-Iron Range 4eva!) at the helm of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee doing what he’s good at: getting many things paved at the same time. (Such as, hint-hint, Highway 169)
All I know is that this pick will “play well in Peoria.” That’s where LaHood is from! HA!
While I would have enjoyed the crow’s nest view of being the Iron Range/Duluth blogger in an Eighth Congressional District special election, I must admit I don’t need to see my holiday season sucked out through my eye sockets by the stampeding herd of candidates that would have come forth. Save it for 2046 when Oberstar retires (or is frozen in carbonite for display purposes).
I hope LaHood likes bike paths. Because he’s going to get some damn bike paths whether he likes them or not.
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