Arne Duncan's lead is bigger than ever in the quest to replace Margaret Spellings. One friend of mine urges me to just accept that he's the guy. Well, that's probably true. Meanwhile, United Negro College Fund president Michael Lomax is working his way up the ladder, and now appears to be the pick as the Arne-alternative. And what about Bill Richardson, whom I've been promoting all week? First, the Washington Post's "in the loop" reporter Al Kamen wrote this morning that Obama might find a spot for him at Interior, Commerce, or as ambassador to China. Then Alyson Klein at Education Week ridiculed my speculation since Richardson was well-known as an NCLB-hater on the campaign trail. (See, I'm terrible at placing bets because I always gamble on the horse I want to win, rather than the horse most likely to win. And a pro-accountability, anti-NCLB governor sounds good to me!) And now, The Fix is saying that Richardson is being "seriously considered" for Commerce. Well, Bill, it was fun while it lasted. And look--Geoffrey Canada, he of Harlem Children's Zone fame--makes an appearance for the first time.
Other folks mentioned today: Colin Powell, Hugh Price, Janet Napolitano (???), Caroline Kennedy, Tim Kaine, Peter McWalters, Erskine Bowles, Beverly Hall, Ted Mitchell, Linda Darling-Hammond (!!!), Graham Spainer (a first time mention; Google tells me he's the prez of Penn State), Jim Shelton, Susan Castillo, Mike Huckabee, and (another first-timer) Cory Booker.
Now take a look at the trends over the past two weeks, and you'll see just how strong Arne Duncan's candidacy is. Have a great weekend!
