Comments on: Where They Stand: Obama and McCain on Transportation

By: Tom

Tom — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 22:11:59 +0000

As President-elect Obama looks to bail out the auto-industry, he also considers a stimulus in infrastructure spending. The Chinese just announced a similar plan. However, Japan did the same thing in the 1990s, but with little success. PBS has an interesting take on it:

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/blueprintamerica/blog/the-dig-rebuilding-the-economy-with-infrastructure-spending/225/

By: Jack

Jack — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:02:43 +0000

The more density there is in a place, the more democratic it tends to be. Political geography is fascinating stuff.

To address the topic, and give credit where credit is due, Bill Richardson frequently discussed smart growth and walkable communities during his campaign this year. As a proud Obama supporter, we would all be well-served by having Gov. Richardson land a spot somewhere in an Obama administration.

Beyond what leaders are in office, each of us needs to build the political will to allow these leaders to institute the changes we need. And that starts with us. This campaign has really gotten the attention of my less political, less civic-minded friends and neighbors. It's a great way to start a conversation about what this country really needs.

By: Shemp

Shemp — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:11:36 +0000

The broader point of most of what Brookings is putting out these days is that the "heartland" is the country's metropolitan areas. Top 100 of these contain two-thirds of the American people and generate 75% of the economy. "Suburbs vs. city" is not axiomatic - look at political trends (and even transportation conversation) in the suburbs around here.

By: Dave Reid

Dave Reid — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:35:25 +0000

Further having Joe Biden on as the VP says a lot about the future of rail in America. It's funny though we all know that going in as.. red vs blue essentially comes down to suburbs vs city

By: Larry Littlefield

Larry Littlefield — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:05:21 +0000

"Obama will build upon his efforts in the Senate to ensure that more Metropolitan Planning Organizations create policies to incentivize greater bicycle and pedestrian usage of roads and sidewalks." That will be the only transportation policy they'll be able to afford when this is over. "As president, Obama will work to provide states and local governments with the resources they need to address sprawl and create more livable communities." He's already backed down from promises given that the U.S. is bankrupt. I'd put national health care financing at the top. That would keep state and local governments out of bankruptcy, allowing them to make investments THAT ACTUALLY MAKE SENSE on their own.