America's School Boss Struggles, Too
The '08 'A-Team': An Early Roster
Nobody's even declared for the presidential race in 2008, but political insiders say an "A-team" of candidates is starting to form, based on good name recognition and fundraising prowess. For Republicans: Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney . The Democrats: Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton and John Kerry and former Sen. John Edwards .
From Gridiron to Governor's Race?
The Pittsburgh Steelers' No. 88, Hall of Famer Lynn Swann , is thinking about using his ability to snatch the ball out of the air to grab the Republican nomination for Pennsylvania governor in 2006. Allies and backers say he could give Gov. Ed Rendell a good run. A win would put a conservative African-American in charge of the state Democrats say is critical to winning back the White House. Is Swann serious? Not only has he created Team 88 to promote his cause and collect checks, but he's headed to Washington this week for a meet-and-greet.
A Rookie Senator On a Tour of Thanks
As likely presidential candidates are embarking on Hillary-esque "listening tours" to see if voters care about their campaigns, one potential hopeful is taking a different approach. We hear that South Dakota Sen. John Thune , who slew former Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle , is touring the nation to say thanks for the out-of-state help and money. "He's giving back," says an insider. Thune, on many long lists of 2008 GOP candidates, has recently taken his gratitude to Virginia, South Carolina, and Washington State, where he has raised money for local parties and candidates. "I look forward to meeting supporters, visiting old friends, and doing my part to give back to the Republican Party," he tells us.
Music Fit for a Presidential iPod
Remember this name: Christina Roberts . Because fans say the former longtime Bush aide sounds like the famed Annie Lennox . The folk-rock singer-songwriter tells us she was on her way to a music career in Texas when then Gov. George Bush swung by Texas A&M campaigning for re-election. She was 19. "I was just inspired and wanted to hop on," she says. "It took me six or seven years to hop off." Now 26, the former Bush communications aide is home recording songs like "Austin, Mother Me." Like most Bushies, she's cautious not to overstate or profit from her time with the prez. "There were several degrees of separation," she says. But maybe one day a Roberts tune will end up on Bush's iPod. "I hope," she says, "that it's music that he can be proud of."
usnews.com To hear Christina Roberts's "Austin, Mother Me" : www.usnews.com/whispers
With Kim Clark
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