Will It Soon Be Governor Spellings?

If you think the presidential race takes too long, consider what's going on in Texas. Three years before the next governor's race, potential candidates are already dropping hints of getting in. The latest: Education Secretary Margaret Spellings. She's been toying with the idea ever since suggesting that she didn't plan to stay in the administration until its last day, Jan. 20, 2009. And now a blog that follows education—Eduwonk—has pushed that rumor out onto the Internet.

It's the talk in the Ed Department, where few aides are scrambling to shoot it down. She'd be a formidable candidate: Bush loves her, she's youthful and likable, and she's a major proponent of education programs from kindergarten to college. Of course, there are other political titans looking at running, including Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

And don't forget that popular Gov. Rick Perry, already in his second term, can run again.