Can he move people to stand idle in lines that stretch long past their comfort level? If it is for that Tonka fire station complete with all of the firefighting accessories—yes he can.
Can he defy the odds of history behind an aggressive and relentless campaign? We do not normally allow an extra cookie for dessert, but if he is good—and if it will stop the tireless plea of “can I have another cookie, can I have another cookie, can I have another cookie”—yes he can.
When it comes to my all-American son, who turned 3 on Nov. 8, I am the chief of staff and know exactly what he can and cannot do.
However, I do not have a finger always clipped to the shirt of new president-elect Barack Obama, who inspired a nation to say in an overwhelming pitch “yes we can” to change on election day.
But if I were responsible for making sure the Chicago senator did not crunch his fingers when he closes any door of opportunity, I would magnetize the following chore list to the White House refrigerator door:
Name a secretary of transportation by mid-December
Call on the services of Virginia DOT Commissioner David Ekern. You can thank his state once again for delivering key battleground electoral votes, and in the next breath offer him the job to head the transportation sector of this country. Virginia has burned the word “privatization” in its DOT strategy, and the only way to generate a hefty reauthorization bill will be to implement more public-private partnerships.
Demand the new secretary call the necessary leaders together
The first act of the transportation boss should be to call on Congressional leaders like Jim Oberstar, John Mica, Peter DeFazio, Corrine Brown, David Obey, Robert Byrd and Max Baucus and outline what needs to be accomplished in the next reauthorization bill.
Mention the need for road and bridge construction in your inaugural address
If Obama is going to turn this troubled economy into one that will positively contribute to society he needs to create jobs in a hurry. The road and bridge construction industry is one of the largest employment agencies in the U.S., ready to put hundreds of thousands of people to work if the funding is there. If one has not already passed, he must stress the need for another economic stimulus bill, one that will contain billions of dollars for infrastructure improvements.
Set the tone for a $500 billion reauthorization bill
During the final months of TEA-21, President George W. Bush said he would veto any piece of new legislation over $247 billion. Congress panicked and folded. Obama needs to encourage a much higher level.
Push Congress to raise the gas tax
If you want to prevent a $500 billion plan from having a miscarriage then a raise in the federal gas tax is in order. Some have called for a 25-cent increase, but even an 8- to 10-cent bonus will work.
If just one of the above steps is omitted or simply skipped, our industry could slouch in its chair for much of 2009. Obama faces a steep climb, but he just needs to hold on to the railing and take it one at a time. When my son does that, everything turns out just fine.
