What previous experience did Ray LaHood have which qualified him to take the position of Transportation Secretary?
Secretary of Transportation LaHood during an Obama press conference.On December 19, 2008, then-President-elect Barack Obama announced that he would nominate Ray LaHood to be the next Transportation Secretary. LaHood’s nomination has been viewed with alarm among those concerned with climate change and suburban sprawl.[14][15][16][17] His resume on transport matters is seen as thin by many critics. He did not serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee at the time his selection was announced, although he had in the past. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee he did not work on transportation funding.[18] While picking LaHood drew praise for its bipartisan symbolism there was also a sense that LaHood’s lack of expertise would diminish the department’s role in 2009 major policy debates and leave him as more of a ceremonial figure. James Oberstar, the Democratic Congressman who chairs the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is expected to hold mo
