My enormous disappointment with Florida Governor Charlie Crist's decision last week on SB6 raises a very important question, especially for those of us on the right:??Who's the leading Republican office-holder today on K-12 education issues?
The fact that I--and the handful of others I asked about this--struggle to answer that question convincingly suggests that there's a huge opportunity. Who's going to step up and begin providing big ideas and a coherent strategy?
Tom Vander Ark suggests it could be Louisiana's Bobby Jindal. He's certainly a leading contender: he's a super-sharp sitting governor, believes in accountability and choice, has been a creative leader on other policy issues, and has the chance to help his state win RTT funds and help New Orleans continue to redefine urban public education.
This is Jindal's chance, and it might not last long. Nature abhors a vacuum, and the GOP is likely to capture a number of governorships and plenty of congressional seats this fall, meaning new faces and ideas are on the horizon.
In the months to come, I'll be keeping my eye on Jindal and Louisiana. Will he take command or cede the battlefield?
--Andy Smarick