President-Elect Obama has made a top priority of investing in America's crumbling infrastructure, yet the man he's selected to help lead the effort has woefully little experience.
Illinois Rep. Ray LaHood wasn't on anyone's short list for transportation secretary, which made it such a surprise when Obama tapped the Republican for the job. The seven-term lawmaker has a reputation as a moderate who can forge compromises, so he'll do a good job breaking the gridlock that has stalled so many key transportation projects. He's spent time on the House transportation subcommittee and has a history of supporting infrastructure projects, so he's got at least a passing familiarity with the issues.
But critics say LaHood lacks the experience and expertise Obama could have tapped by selecting a more qualified candidate, and they wonder what the president-elect was thinking. "Did the entire A-team drop out?" a transportation lobbyist asked Congressional Quarterly. "... Where's somebody with some vision? I don't get it."
You can argue that a department head doesn't need to be familiar with minutia because an effective leader corrals talented people and lets them do the work. But critics say LaHood's background and record could make bringing the best people aboard a difficult task.
"In terms of attracting talent, no one I know is going to want to work for this guy. He's got a horrible environmental record, he's bad on climate change and he's Caterpillar's bag man," a former Federal
Transit Administration official told Streetsblog, referring to the heavy equipment manufacturer that is LaHood's largest corporate campaign contributor.
The list of issues LaHood will face is daunting. Our roads and bridges are collapsing, our mass transit systems are underfunded, and our air traffic control system makes VCRs look cutting edge. The state of America's infrastructure -- roads, bridges, drinking water, even schools and transit systems -- couldn't be much worse. A report card issued three years ago by the American Society of Civil
Engineers gives it all a D. The society says we've got to spend about $1.6 trillion just to bring things up to a B-. The president-elect has promised the nation's governors that he will invest heavily in roads, bridges, schools and other public project, and he's got an $800 billion infrastructure bill planned.
LaHood's position as a centrist who can forge compromises will serve him well as he deals with lawmakers and stakeholders to establish priorities and resolve disputes. "Ray's appointment reflects that bipartisan spirit — a spirit we need to reclaim in this country to make progress for the American people," Obama said, according to the Associated Press. But beyond that, it doesn't look like the guy's got a lot to offer.
In choosing LaHood, Obama has installed a transportation secretary who will serve as an able manager but does not appear likely to push for the big changes or bold visions.
*Main photo by Flickr user mickhaskew. *
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