If the Obama administration decides to help boost the economy by investing in infrastructure and alternatives to fossil fuel, this cabinet post will increase in importance. Among those being mentioned for the head job:
- Valerie Jarrett, longtime Obama friend and adviser and one of three co-chairs of his transition project. Before joining the campaign, Jarrett was the chair of the Chicago Transit Authority for ten years ending in 2005, and served as commissioner of the Chicago Department of Planning and Development before that.
- Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, often mentioned as a possible for energy secretary has also signaled that he’s interested in transportation. Since he helped deliver Pennsylvania, he’s likely to get serious consideration.
- Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, who also helped bring in a key state and was on Obama’s short list for vice president.
- Rep James Oberstar, a Democrat from Minnesota, who is also chairman of the House committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
- Rep. Earl Blumenauer, an Oregon Democrat who headed Obama’s Oregon Campaign, and has long had an interest in infrastructure and mass transit. A fan of biking to work, he’s reputed never to have applied for a Capitol parking permit.
- Jane Garvey, a former Federal Aviation Administration official during the Clinton administration, she has also served as deputy administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Public Works, and director of Logan Airport in Boston.
- Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, who was on Obama's short list for vice president, has been mentioned as a possible contender for a number of Cabinet spots, including energy. As governor, she required all state agencies to develop "green teams" to encourage recycling and waste reduction, prevented the construction of coal-fired power plants and has actively promoted wind energy.
