LaHood to head transportation?

Retiring republican Rep. Ray LaHood of Illinois has reportedly been chosen as Barack Obama's secretary of transportation. LaHood represents Peoria, headquarters of Caterpillar, a good-karma move on Obama's part as he prepares to launch an ambitious public-works program, with an emphasis on road and bridge construction

Obama, in choosing a republican to head transportation, returns the favor of the Bush administration, which chose Norm Mineta, a democrat, for the same post eight years ago. LaHood is a former member of the House Transportation Committee, and more recently has been a member of the influential House Appropriations Committee. LaHood has a record of supporting funding for Amtrak and public transit.

Terence O'Sullivan, general president of the Laborers' International Union of North America, praised LaHood as "a friend to our union when it comes to construction and transportation issues." The buzz on LaHood from industry sources is that he is a stand-up guy who will bring a steady hand to the job, at a challenging time. Your comment?