Is the Governor going to throw Suellen Reed under the bus?

by: Thomas

Fri Feb 15, 2008 at 07:40:19 AM EST

But is Governor Mitch Daniels playing politics with her?

At Wednesday night's Lincoln Day Dinner in Whitley County, Daniels introduced [Tony] Bennett as the person who will likely be the next superintendent of public instruction in Indiana.

Bennett told the Louisville Courier-Journal in January that he is running for the position on the Republican side. He has been the superintendent for the Greater Clark County Schools district for less than a year.

Daniels' statement either indicates he is endorsing a rookie against a veteran or that fellow Republican Reed will not seek a fifth term.

Reed appeared disappointed when told about Daniels' quip Thursday and said she hopes to make a decision in the next week on a re-election bid.

"I'm considering all the possibilities and options," she said.

I've heard rumors for the last few weeks that Daniels and the Republican heavy-hitters are pushing hard for Bennett's candidacy. A campaign website is being designed as we speak, and the list of people helping to steer the inexperienced Bennett includes such GOP stalwarts as Bob Grand.

The question remains: Why?

Perhaps Suellen Reed really isn't planning on running for another term. But in some ways, I think we may be watching a much more calculated move on the part of a Governor who clearly has big plans regarding educational reform in this state. If he knows for a fact that Reed isn't likely to support whatever policy shift he plans on pushing, his maneuvering may be pretty easy to explain.

Thoughts?