Elections
Democratic Platform’s Scarce Words on Transportation Fail to Inspire
President Obama spent Labor Day touting his rescue of the U.S. auto industry, and today, like a chorus of backup singers, the Big Three automakers posted double-digit sales increases in perfect unison. Meanwhile, the Democrats kicked off their convention in Charlotte.
September 4, 2012
Now No Republican Will Ever Ride a Bus Again
You’ve got to hand it to the Republicans. Even the party of transit haters had to admit that the only logical way to move delegates around in the congested streets around the GOP convention was by bus. And they would have been right, except they had a little snafu that will undoubtedly convince everyone involved that transit is, indeed, an utter failure.
August 29, 2012
They Totally Went There: GOP Outlines Extremist Transpo Views in Platform
In all issue areas, the Republicans outdid themselves on far-right-wing pandering with their new platform, approved yesterday in Tampa. Transportation is no exception.
August 29, 2012
Romney Energy Plan: More Drilling, More Oil Dependence
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney unveiled his energy plan today [PDF]. The idea is to break our addiction to foreign oil -- by increasing our addiction to domestic oil. If by "domestic" we mean Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.
August 23, 2012
Finally, the Presidential Race Turns to Transportation
The Obama campaign has fired the opening salvo in a new presidential campaign front: transportation.
August 22, 2012
Rep. Russ Carnahan, Transit Champion, Becomes 9th T&I Member to Depart
Shifting demographics have countless repercussions. Today, one of those is the loss of a pro-transit voice in Congress.
August 8, 2012
Voter ID Laws Marginalize People Without a Car
Sustainable transportation advocates may read news headlines about new voter ID laws, roll their eyes at the prejudices of red-state legislators, and turn the page -- at their own peril. This seemingly unrelated issue may have far-reaching consequences for transportation policy. New state laws mandating photo ID for voters threaten to disenfranchise nondrivers, and the skewed elections that would result could lead to political control by forces hostile to transit, cities, and even Safe Routes to Schools.
August 8, 2012
Romney Wins Iowa, Loses the Rail-Passenger Vote
In a landslide (er, eight-vote) victory over former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum in the Iowa caucus last night, Mitt Romney solidified his lead over the rag-tag field of GOP nominees. He also took an opportunity, the day before the caucus, to make a tired old argument against public support of passenger rail service.
January 4, 2012
In Iowa, GOP Candidates Ignore Transportation and Urban Issues
With all eyes on today's Iowa caucuses, it’s worth noting that this year’s vocal crop of GOP candidates has been mostly silent on the subject of transportation and urban issues in general.
January 3, 2012