Too much partisanship, to few facts..... about political support for Amtrak.

Clinton was of no real help to Amtrak, Jimmy Carter was, as was Jerry Ford. Reagan didn't hurt or help much. Paul Weyrich and Trent Lott were both strong rail passenger/Amtrak supporters. I've staffed a lot of Republican local officials over the years who were, and still are big rail passenger supporters. Support for Amtrak and rail passenger has been a bipartisan issue, mostly, at least until recently. Obama and Biden are strong supporters today, as is the Republican Secretary of Transportation Mr. LaHood. I can't say that Mitch McConnell or John Boehnor have been very helpful, and have refused to even meet to appoint the new Amtrak Board members.

In California, Republican Governor George Deukmejian was far more supportive in "real" ways, than Democrat Jerry (Moonbeam) Brown, who talked a good show, but didn't support his Caltrans Director in substantive ways when she tried to improve service. So I look at records and results, not party labels, or happy talk, when judging political support for passenger rail in America.

As to adolescence and mid life crisis- 38 is still pretty young compared to me, although I don't feel a day over thrity???? And, it's been quite apparent to me that G "W" Bush and Bill Clinton, both over 60, may well still be going through their adolescence, as evidenced by some of their more "mature" stunts?