I was in Charlotte over the weekend, so I missed Obama.
I noticed an interesting Uptown paper of record story on CATS’ request for millions in federal dollars to fund three light rail projects, one of which is —get this — a commuter line to the Lake Norman area.
CATS chief executive Keith Parker acknowledged the proposal is a long shot, but:
It’s also possible the Bush administration might want to help Sen. Elizabeth Dole by steering federal money to Charlotte. Dole is fighting for re-election against Democratic challenger Kay Hagan in a close race.
Dole earlier this year helped CATS get an $18 million earmark to help pay for engineering work on the Lynx extension, and her office credits her with helping get more than $200 million to build the Lynx earlier this decade.
I guess Dole needs all the help she can get, though even some who are inclined to support her don’t think that’s a real reason to brag.
