LaHood considered for Cabinet post

Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Ill.) is in discussions with the Obama
administration to take a Cabinet-level post — most likely secretary of the
Department of Transportation, according to knowledgeable GOP sources.

When reached on his cell phone, LaHood said only that
Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.), President-elect Obama’s incoming chief of staff,
had contacted him last night.

{mosads}He would not discuss the details of the conversation.

“It’s probably not a good idea to discuss this at this
moment,” LaHood said.

But one GOP source said that LaHood was engaged in talks
with Emanuel about the Transportation secretary position, and the Obama
transition team would like to make an announcement about it on Friday.

LaHood, a centrist Republican from Peoria, Ill., who
serves on the Appropriations Committee, was first elected in 1994. He announced
plans to retire last year.

Obama’s team has pledged to appoint Republicans to his
administration. Right after the election, the president-elect announced that he
wants Defense Secretary Robert Gates to stay on board for at least another
year. He would not say whether his decision to keep Gates met the self-imposed
requirement for a Republican in the Cabinet.

LaHood served as chief of staff to former House Minority
Leader Bob Michel (R-Ill.) and won his seat when Michel retired.

The Obama transition team did not immediately return a
call for comment.