Fox Appointed To Henhouse Inquiry

The Texas Association of Business’ Bill Hammond has been appointed to a Texas Education Agency Task Force to investigate cheating on the TAKS standardized test.

Yes, the fox who “blew the barn doors off” the 2002 election cycle (shown at left catching a quick nap in the House Gallery in March, 2005) has been appointed to investigate the chickens missing from the henhouse in a move almost as dumb as someone deciding it would be a good idea to appoint Tom DeLay to head the Federal Election Commission.

Why Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley appointed one of the state’s most politically polarizing figures of the last five years (not to mention a business lobbyist) to this commission is unclear. What’s even more interesting is why Neeley appointed someone whose organization (Texas Association of Business) is still mired in criminal litigation from the 2002 election cycle to investigate any kind of potentially criminal activity.

As usual, State Rep. Jim Dunnam (D-Waco) was on top of things with this priceless quote:

Did I mention that it is a priceless quote? We’ll see how much play it gets from the mainstream media.

Maybe Hammond will “blow the barn doors” off of this commission with some stunning revalation. I doubt it.

But, this does fuel speculation that relates to a rumor I’ve been hearing for about a year: that Hammond is gearing up for a run for governor. He’d need such an appointment to have a bit more Capitol Street Creds than he’s chalked up as TAB head and a former House member.
I’ve heard that Hammond is considered by many a conservative favorite for 2010, as Perry won’t be seeking an additional term if he wins this time. I’ve also heard that he’s been courted by some higher-up muckity mucks in the GOP to be ready to throw in so that if Kay Bailey Hutchison decides to swoop down from DC and run for the job, the state can be kept in “firmly conservative” hands. I’ve also heard that some people in the GOP would favor Hammond over Dewhurst to take the reigns from Perry. Anyway, everyone knows Dewhurst wants a U.S. Senate seat more, which is what he was first rumored to be running for well before the 2002 cycle when Cornyn went for U.S. Senate and Dewhurst went for Lt. Governor.
Sadly, all that’s starting to sound more and more realistic.

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