Rahm Emanuel has all but convinced President-elect Barack Obama to tap Republican Rep. Ray LaHood, a fellow Illinoisan, to serve as Transportation Secretary, according to Capitol Hill sources.
According to one Democratic source, the move would not leave out Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk, who had been under consideration for the job. Kirk may instead be offered the job of U.S. Trade Representative, the Democratic source said, now that Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Ca., has turned down the job.
Emanuel, an Illinois congressman who is now Obama’s incoming chief of staff, enjoyed a close relationship with LaHood, who earlier this year announced he will retire in January at the conclusion of his seventh term.
“They used to host bipartisan dinners,” as House members, recalled one top Republican leadership aide. “I think this makes a lot of sense for Obama and for LaHood,” whom the aide said “retired too early and is well liked and has great contacts all over town.”
Obama last month announced that he will keep Robert Gates, a political independent who has served Republicans and Democrats alike, on as Defense Secretary, but tapping LaHood would be the first real show of the bipartisanship Obama pledged during his campaign.
“President-elect Obama said he would appoint Republicans to his cabinet and the addition of Ray LaHood would be another welcome sign on that front,” said Kevin Smith, spokesman for House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, who is also very friendly with LaHood.
LaHood, whose grandfather emigrated from Lebanon, would also be the first Arab-American tapped for a top position in the Obama administration.
In choosing LaHood, Obama would be picking a lawmaker with a strong reputation for working with both Democrats and Republicans to end the partisanship that has made it nearly impossible to move legislation. He has typically been loyal to his party but has also demonstrated that he is not afraid to buck the GOP from time to time.For instance, LaHood successfully pushed for legislation to increase in the minimum wage in 2006 despite strong resistance from the Republican leadership.
LaHood used to host “civility retreats” for both parties, but stopped them when no one showed interest in attending.
LaHood’s name tops the list of contenders for Transportation Secretary after Dallas’s first black mayor, Ron Kirk, had been though by many to be in the running for the post. Kirk confirmed that he was being vetted for a top job, and he may now be picked as a replacement for Becerra, who decided he does not want the U.S. Trade Representative position and instead wants to remain in the House, where he serves in the number-five leadership position.
