Centerfield

I think it's widely accepted that the president prefers loyalty above all other attributes. As I noted here, that was one reason he didn't promote Jim Comey, Deputy A.G., on Ashcroft's retirement: Jim, who has remarkable credentials, is actually (gasp) remaining independent in his supervision of the Valerie Plame leak investigation.

From observation, I'd say that Bush both highly values and reciprocates loyalty, even when it hurts.

hehe I actually like the little I know about Spellings which is why she probably isn't going over well in some quarters.

Angry Liberal sent us a link to his post on this topic.

Thanks for the link, Rick.

Spellings supports "abstinence only" sex ed, so she's not exactly a libertine. I'm glad she's supporting standards-based ed because it's having a positive impact. School choice can be a positive force for change, but it's not a solution all by itself. It makes snes to me me to keep pushing forward with one thing that is helping out and that people are responding favorably to, rather than to diffuse into a more controversial area.

I agree with what you are saying about Bush, Matt. For better or worse, it seems like there's some focus on picking a few big goals and getting some loyal lieutenants in charge of them.

What do you guys think about supposed tax reform? My opinion is that there's no real expectation that any sort of big sweeping changes will occur. Rather it's more of an Ask for a mile so you can get a few yards approach.

I can't seem to find much on the tax reform..other than the requisite "lower taxes on the rich and hike them on the middle class".

Where can one find a nonpartisan look at the proposals?

Carla or anyone else, let me know what you find. I saw a recent article, but it weemed to be pretty obvious cherry-picking. I think if we're all sensible, we can agree that any reofrm such as this shoudl be evuluated, insofar as it is possible, by following ALL of the bouncing balls. No free lunch. What's the sum of all the changes?

Unfortunately, we may well be in a phase of the leaking of trial balloons.

FWIW, I really really hate the idea of a national sales tax as a replacement. Not for any policy or fairness reason. I just hate having the whack in my face every single time I open my wallet. And I know that's part of the point, to make people feel the taxes. I don't care, I hate it, I don't want to feel them, it's bound to play to my worst and most selfish instincts...

I think the Spellings nomination ought to debunk the theory that Bush is a puppet for the right wing, a little bit at least.

But, it ought to confirm what should be common knowledge, namely that the extremes of both political parties are clueless when it comes to understanding the art of governing.

The nut jobs are apparently too stupid to realize what has been common operating procedure for years - run to the base, govern in the middle. And, as Clinton said today on an ABC News interview, Bush is a very able politician.

Bush will throw just enough bones to religious conservatives to make them think he is implementing their agenda, but in the end, very little will change. And, for that, I'm extremely grateful.

The question is, what does Bush want to accomplish? What is Spelling's mandate? They may be able to get things done, but what are those things they are doing? I'm relieved to see him appointing some people that are not right wing, but it makes you wonder what is there besides loyalty. What's the point of having a cabinet if their only qualification is loyalty to the president? Not that I'm suggesting these people are necessarily unqualified, but Bush obviously isn't interested in hearing different views.

MWS, I know that education is a priority for the president. I think he's comfortable with this domestic challenge and he has concrete ideas he wants to implement. I heard on NPR that the administration wants to set federal testing standards for the high school level during this second term. What I haven't heard is how the administration plans to handle the accusations of No Child Left Behind being an unfunded mandate. If Spellings' reputation as a pragmatist is true, I would expect her to spend her tenure working with Congress, states, and teachers' associations to ensure the president's program is seen as a positive legacy. I don't know if that's going to mean changing the standards so that they are less burdensome on the states or increasing federal funds.

Also, weren't there some federal programs dealing with vocational or retraining for people to acquire new, more marketable skills?

I'm interested in seeing how this plays out.

Presidents who understand political history (or who get advice from people who do) know that once you get elected to your 2nd term, you have to get your big goals done during the 1st 2 years before the lame duck odor rises and the next prez election jockeying gets heated. Bush isn't interested in listening to voices. For better or worse, he knows what things he'd like to do, and he's picking people to help do them, He has a short list floating around out there.

I expect Spellings to focus on the strengthening of standards-based assessment. I think the "unfunded mandate" part is at least partially just the best face opponents could put on their sour grapes. States do all kinds of testing, and most of the new national goals should be able to be achieved by streamlining. I expect there will be some sort of a funding handout, but no one is going to get enough dough to just add the federal testing on as a new layer without changing other things. That makes sense to me.

A follow up question. When does a new federal rule/regulation become an "unfunded mandate"?

As soon as the opposition party passes it.

haha bk :)

Chris, I did a GOOGLE search using nclb and "unfunded mandate". This Heritage Foundation article may explain the issue:

http://www.heritage.org/Research/Budget/wm283.cfm

Thanks Jamie. A good review though given it came from the Heritage Foundation it does have a bit of a conservative slant. I wonder what the Brookings institute would say?

You're welcome, Chris. I was struggling for objectivity. :)

Rick, did you put the instructions at the bottom of the comments box? Thanks!

Has Spellings ever taught in a public school? Does she have a clue what teachers and administrators deal with every day--or is her expertise from a "school board member" only?
I'm worried. No Child Left Behind has left us all behind--and if that's the type of legislation she promotes--then we are in for a wild ride in education.

Deborah, from what I've read about Spellings, she has no classroom teaching experience. I think her top priority will be NCLB.