Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk a finalist to be transportation secretary

[brooklynite]

Source: Fort Worth Star-Telegram

WASHINGTON — Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk is a finalist to be secretary of transportation in the Obama administration, the Star-Telegram has learned.

Speaking from his Dallas law office Thursday evening, Kirk confirmed in an interview that he was under consideration and said he was filling out a final vetting form for President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team.

"Yes, I am being vetted. I’ve met with the transition team," said Kirk, the first African-American mayor of Dallas. "I’m honored. I got into this interesting relationship with Sen. Obama. I’m honored that my name would even be mentioned."

Kirk, a partner with Houston-based Vinson & Elkins, was an early supporter of Obama’s for president.

...snip...

The other finalist, according to sources, is California's Steve Heminger, executive director of the San Francisco Bay area's Metropolitan Transportation Commission.

Read more: http://www.star-telegram.com/804/v-print/story/1089608.html

[Suji to Seoul]

1. What? You mean he's nominating experts, not political friends and contributors???

I thought Nader said the Democrats and Republicans are the same. I believe Mike Malloy has said that on numerous occasions as well.

Gobama!!! Rock Washington!

[Rebubula]

4. Well..

...with this appointment and one more...that will be TWO people that are nominated due to real qualifications for the job and are NOT just friends\contributors.

I love that Obama is in office - but let's not fool ourselves - politics will continue to be about the powerful and not the people.

[Scooter24]

2. Kirk was a fine mayor of Dallas

and I think he would make an excellent transportation secretary.

[Alter Ego]

3. Never heard of him...but he sounds like a good pick.

[MrsBrady]

5. I lived in Dallas when Ron Kirk was mayor

Dallas government is sh**.
(and that is some post for some other time)

But Kirk was a good mayor.
the mayor gets one vote, just like a city council member - so in that, there is not much power.
He was living in Republican la la land, and I don't know that he could have changed everything in such a short time.
He was Dallas' first and so far, only black mayor.
He did get the idea of the Trinity River Project off the ground. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity_River_Project
Dallas has taken crap care of its environment, as if there is any beautiful open space, be assured they will "pave paradise and put up a parking lot". or a strip mall.
I do think he did have a part in helping to turn the county blue, as in the last 10 years, it has become more 50/50.
The current mayor is a repuke hack. But the county DA is a Democrat and African american -- this made republican heads explode. And the county sheriff is Female, Hispanic, and openly lesbian -- more republican heads exploded.
But alas, now I live in very red, *sigh*, Tarrant County/Fort Worth side of things.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/politics/national/stories/121308dnnatkirk.3ba21ad.html
Keep in mind that the DMN is a republican piece of crap, but here's an article I found a couple of days ago that does have a few facts included, in spite of themselves.

as a side comment:
Just let me say this. Dallas public transportation system is crap. If you are a commuter, it's designed for you. If you are low income and need a way to get around. It will work, but it's horribly inconvenient.
If you live in the suburbs, forget it. This doesn't have much to do with Krik, I'm just saying that's how it is.

This modern bus system in Dallas has only been around since the mid 1980's. They have been including rail, the last 10 years or so, but it's not an extensive system. DART (dallas area rapid transit) used to have a slogan : "we'll get you there". I was living near Downtown at the time and had no car. I was using it then. I used to say: Dart: We'll get you there when WE want to get you there.
Never assume the bus will be on time, and take the earlier one if you have to be somewhere on time.

on edit: I meant to include that Ron Kirk spoke at the Obama rally when he was in Dallas in March. and for a bit of trivia so did former Dallas Cowboy, Emmit Smith.

[Javaman]

6. Of the two, I'd take Steve Heminger....

I live in Austin and have visited San Fran. And of the two's transportation systems, San Frans has it light years over Dallas.