Meanwhile in Washington, speculation about LaHood’s future has reached a fever pitch that is unlikely to subside this week.
LaHood has backed off of previous statements he made about retiring at the end of President Obama’s first term. However, his name was not included in a list released by the White House last week of Cabinet members who are definitely staying on the job.
LaHood has said that he and Obama have been planning to have a conversation about his future after the conclusion of the president’s budget negotiations with Congress.
Neither Obama nor LaHood has confirmed having any discussions since the conclusion of the fiscal-cliff negotiations, however.
Speculation on who might replace LaHood if he does decide to leave the Obama administration has focused on transportation veterans like Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.).
Washington Gov. Christine Gregoire and former Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm, both Democrats, have also been mentioned as potential outside-the-box candidates.