10 Things You Didn't Know About Ray LaHood

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No wonder Obama loves him

urley of FL 2:02PM July 10, 2010

In general, there are way too many lawyers in politics. Having a school teacher the head of Transportation seems like a mistake. I am sure he is a good guy. I do not vote for lawyers whenever there is a choice. Why not a Civil Engineer? We as a nation have lots of good ones. Or are engineers too smart to get involved in politics? If a civil engieer were the head of Education, there would be an outcry.

TG of IL 10:36AM April 25, 2010

The previous commentator is mistaken and the sexist remarks are deplorable. Lahood selected Randy Babbitt as FAA Administrator. Randy has 25 years experience as an airline pilot. His father was a founding member of the Airline Pilots Association. Babbitt is an excellent selection for FAA Administrator.

Roger Waite of TX 12:37PM April 10, 2010

The value of the electoral college is in keeping someone who has immense popularity like Adolph Hitler had in Germany from becoming president here.
The citizens do have a voice in their vote.
The electoral college may be even more important now that the Supreme Court has let loose the dogs of industry to spend without limit on political campaigns.
The sad fact is that with a Trillion Dollar Campaign Fund industry could elect Homer Simpson President!
If something like that happens, the only salvation the nation has is in the power of a serious Electoral College to do what is needed for the nation to survive such a mistake.

John of CA 12:28AM April 05, 2010

I believe sec. Lahood represents lebanon as well because his grandfather was originally born in lebanon .

riz khan of AK 7:40AM March 30, 2010

I agree it is antiquated .originally made up of the wealthy landowners its existence should cease.It says to me the voters are incapable of knowing who should be elected .If you polled a million conscientious voters they could not an name elector past or present nor it's purpose .I view it as a mechanism to maintain some form of control over the electorate. In case of a tie(unlikely)there must be a more transparent way for the citizenry see a resolution.

Vincent L. Jones of GA 1:22AM March 29, 2010

I agree with Sec. Ray LaHood's opinion that indeed the "Electoral College" (EC) is antiquated vis-a-vis the American democratic system in which all legal-aged citizens have the right to vote for their own national officials. EC does not sit well with the true spirit of democracy especially in a tightly contested national election just like what happened between George W. Bush and Al Gore.
An assembly like EC can only function effectively if the voter-delegates themselves are not directly chosen by the people just the Vatican College of Cardinals whose members themselves are individual candidates for the vacant post and who are not directly elected by the people as their representatives.

Marnel Tuble of FL 5:23AM March 12, 2010

Larry D Butler, PHD---what kind of PHD has to Capitalize every Other word? Does it Make your Ideas more Compelling?
Carolee--whose fault is it that you have to drive three counties to shop? Government's or yours? Answer, it's your fault, no government agency is making you live so far away. No go count to six with your left hand's fingers and rethink this.
Jamie, Keith and T---a VMT tax will replace a gasoline tax because cars are becoming more fuel efficient (because of regulation not because the car companies love you), and Americans continue to drive and drive---well, how do roads get fixed up? The costs of road repair and expansion come from a tax on gasoline---a VMT tax is the best solution to a situation where revenues will drop and costs continue to escalate because you guys live to far for cost effective infrastructure. It violates your privacy as much as a gasoline tax does.

Ashamed of living in the same country of CA 3:48PM March 04, 2010

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.

awesome politic knowitall of MS 6:15PM August 26, 2009

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!

dochaass of WI 9:06AM April 23, 2009