Where there's a Will, there's a way

I have mixed feelings about Ray LaHood as Transportation Secretary. We need to put more focus on public transportation and I'm not aware of LaHood being an advocate. Amtrak doesn't even have a line through Peoria. I'm hoping they'll follow the lead of Biden who's one of Amtrak's biggest supporters.

But, LaHood's appointment is a huge gift to the Illinois Democratic Party because it removes one of their most electable potential statewide candidates. LaHood's voting record is fairly conservative but he has a reputation for being a level-headed moderate.

He represents a large area of the state full of swing voters who often split their vote between the two parties. Chicago observers underestimate the size of the central and western Illinois swing vote that pushed Blagojevich through the 2002 primary and general election.

So thanks again, Barack. I don't see any electable moderates the GOP can run statewide other than Mark Kirk. I doubt Edgar will come out of political retirement and Schock will look like too much of an opportunist if he abandons his Congressional seat after just one term.

If Blagojevich proved anything in 2006 it's that even an unpopular, ineffective Democrat can get re-elected statewide in Illinois if Republicans run a weak candidate.