Some might consider it a jarring leap for the DOT’s head honcho to chime in on health care reform. But remember that Ray LaHood is a lifelong Republican who spent 14 years in the U.S. House representing Illinois’ 18th Congressional district before President Obama tapped him for his cabinet.

In a commentary apparently slated for the print edition of tomorrow’s Chicago Tribune, LaHood writes the following.

… most people wouldn’t expect me to be an advocate for comprehensive health care reform. But the truth is, I believe there is no bigger issue to solve and no better chance to solve it than now.

If I were still a member of Congress, I would proudly vote for the bill that President Barack Obama is championing and I would urge my colleagues to do the same, not because I don’t believe in fiscal discipline, but because I do.

Will LaHood’s advocacy on this topic make any difference? Will it persuade any Republicans in the House to break ranks when their chamber takes up the Senate bill as early as next week?

It’s doubtful. Watch for the current batch of congressional Republicans to dismiss LaHood’s op-ed on at least two grounds …

1. He’s only following orders from his current boss.

2. When in Congress, he was a RINO (Republican in Name Only) — one of those so-called moderates.

Clarification: I am not saying LaHood’s fellow Republicans should dismiss his counsel, nor am I agreeing with their potential attacks on his motives. I’m only outlining what I think their reaction will be.