State of the Taft

I'll be working on John Boehner today for Sunday's Forum page, but the day started with an editorial board meeting with Governor Bob Taft, very possibly our last. Beige Bob wanted to talk about raising the "rigor" level of an Ohio high school education, but let me tell you, the only stimulation that's come within thirty feet of this governor was the coffee pot labeled "regular" in the corner of the meeting room.

Taft always strikes me as an earnest fellow who works adequately inside the box. But I left the meeting feeling the state's goal is to be average in a world that is spinning fast. There is no spark, no Big Thinking, no visionary leadership. The guv wants to raise standards, but students would have the option to "opt out" of the more rigorous curriculum proposals. I wonder if Marvin Lewis gives his Bengals players the option to "opt out" of his more rigorous exercises?