10 Things You Didn't Know About Ray LaHood
LaHood is President Obama's transportation secretary
1. Ray LaHood is a Peoria, Ill., native, the grandson of some of the first Lebanese immigrants to settle there.
2. After attending a Roman Catholic high school in Peoria, he earned a bachelor's degree in education and sociology from Bradley University, also in Peoria.
3. LaHood enjoys working with kids. He spent six years teaching junior high social studies, which sparked his interest in politics. He worked with troubled teens as the director of the Rock Island County Youth Services Bureau. He still likes to visit schools to speak to the kids about government and politics.
4. A strong advocate for advancing Abraham Lincoln's legacy, LaHood authored a law to establish the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission. He also has led efforts to support the Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Ill.
5. As a congressman, LaHood was one of only three Republicans who did not sign the Contract with America, Newt Gingrich's manifesto for a Republican majority.
6. Known for his knowledge of congressional procedure and his civility, LaHood was chosen to preside over President Clinton's impeachment.
7. He believes the Electoral College is antiquated and should be abolished.
8. He and his wife, Kathy, have been married for more than 40 years. They are Catholic and have four children and seven grandchildren.
9. He has a passion for golf and the Chicago Bulls.
10. Easter Seals is building the Ray and Kathy LaHood Center for Cerebral Palsy in Peoria. The first phase of the project is scheduled to open late this year.
Reader Comments
republican
I doubt Sec. Ray LaHood is as manipulative as you think. He is actually quite respected on both sides of the aisle. Also, it seems like you think you are unveiling this info. for us all to see for the first time. Good lord, he was a congressman from 1994-2008 and Chief of Staff for Bob Micheal (minority leader of House) for 18 yrs. before that. I'm fairly certain his track record speaks for its self. Everyone knows he is a moderate republican, why do you think he left congress? Either way, he was going to get a cabinent seat, whether Obama won or McCain. Relax and stop trying to make something out of nothing. If this is the first time you are aware of Ray LaHood's liberal values and sentiments you are NOT the political writer you claim to be.
Qualifications?
OK, now we know 10 cute, nice things about LaHood. But what are his QUALIFICATIONS? Does he have any real knowledge or experience in transportation issues? Doesn't look like it.
I'm sick and tired of seeing political hacks and cronies put into responsible positions for which they have NO knowledge and NO experience!
LaHood's milage tax idea, just another way to steal from taxpayers!
One thing everyone should know about Ray LaHood is that he is not a Republican. He is a R.I.N.O. (Republican In Name Only). Why is that? Because he couldn't get elected in his "Home District" of Ill. as a Democrat, so he just "fooled 'em", by running as a Republican! He's a "tax and spend welfare liberal” in sheep’s clothing! Now with that knowledge out in the open, you can begin to understand what he’s really about and why Barack Obama has him in his Cabinet. They were “Pals” in the Ill. Legislature and voted together on social issues there. I will also point out that LaHood’s voting record is far more “socialist” than is that of Obama, as Obama voted “present” on almost all votes (it was the “safe vote”) whereas LaHood voted positively in promoting welfare! For Obama to say he has a Bi-Partisan Cabinet, because he selected his “old Pal” LaHood as Transportation Secretary, is like calling Obama a Patriot or a Republican!
Just observe LaHood’s selection of the new Administrator of the FAA, as an example. The choice selected was based upon the sex of the person, not because of any knowledge of the aviation industry, skill in that venue or ability to direct the work of those in a very highly skilled field. I doubt the woman can even spell aviation. She was selected to further secure the female vote for the Democrat Party and for no other reason. When it comes to aviation issues or how to run this Agency, she hasn’t a clue! Just one more “Hallmark” of the liberal!
So, in the “final analysis”, Mr. LaHood is going to raise your taxes substantially, because he’s a “tax and spend liberal”, just like Obama, who has just given American taxpayers the largest tax increase in history, along with a deficit that cannot be paid off in ten lifetimes.
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