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Yeah, Ray LaHoode doesn't think he's unsuccessful. Click to enlarge, via.

Obama Eyes Hi-Speed Trains to Create Jobs

Well let's get it going already. I am convinced, though not as much as Duncan, that high speed rail would be hugely popular.

(CBS/AP) A day after delivering a State of the Union address aimed at showing recession-weary Americans he understands their struggles, President Obama intends to award $8 billion in stimulus funds to develop high-speed rail corridors and sell the program as a jobs creator.

Obama and Vice President Joe Biden plan to announce grants for 13 major corridors during a town hall meeting in Tampa, Fla., Thursday, the president's first public appearance following his speech to the nation. It's an attempt by the White House to show that getting Americans back to work is the president's top priority and that he has a plan for how to do it.

The president's visit to the region means Florida's proposal for a high-speed line connecting Orlando and Tampa is likely to receive funding. California's proposal for an 800-mile-long rail line from Sacramento to San Diego and a nine-state proposal in the Midwest are also considered strong contenders.

The $8 billion in funding for high-speed trains and other passenger rail projects is part of the $787 billion recovery act. Besides the 13 corridors receiving grants, a White House official said several smaller awards will be made for improvements to existing rail lines. Overall, 31 states will receive funds.

President Obama Talks About Stimulus, Jobs and Infrastructure 3/03/09

Vid via FDL.

Chicago Tribune's Jill Zuckman joins Obama administration

By GottaLaff

Considering the newspaper biz is laying off employees right and left, Zuckman lucked out in more ways than one:

Chicago Tribune's Jill Zuckman joins President Obama's administration as the Department of Transportation's director of public affairs and assistant to Secretary Ray LaHood.

Zuckman was a Washington-based correspondent at the Tribune and also made frequent appearances on MSNBC and Fox News.

She is the second Tribune reporter to take a job in the administration. Peter Gosselin is now the chief speech writer for Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner. This move is somewhat of a trend- Jay Carney, formerly of Time Magazine, is now Vice President Biden's communications director ...