What Role Will LaHood Play in the Obama Cabinet?

Christopher Conkey reports on transportation. President-elect Barack Obama ’s pick of Republican Rep. Ray LaHood as transportation secretary has drawn praise for its bipartisan symbolism. But there is also a sense that LaHood’s lack of expertise will dimish the department’s role in next year’s major policy debates and leave him as more of a ceremonial figure. The man who will likely enjoy even more influence - House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar (D., Minn.) - spoke about the situation this afternoon. Oberstar praised LaHood’s “temperament” and “managerial talent,” saying he is an “excellent” choice to lead a sprawling department that employs more than 53,000 workers ranging from air traffic controllers to railroad inspectors. But asked to cite an issue LaHood championed during his time on the Transportation Committee in the 1990s, the chairman drew a blank. “I can’t ... (link)