Sanders says no deal - yet - on Cabinet job |
By Brian Wallheimer |
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However, in an Alestle interview Wednesday, Sanders did leave the door open for becoming secretary of education if George W. Bush is elected president. "What would you do if the president called you and asked you to do a job?" Sanders asked. Sanders served as acting secretary of education and deputy secretary of education under President George Bush. Last month Sanders announced his resignation as SIU president, effective in February when he will become president of the Education Commission of the States, a consortium of state and local interests that assists state educational leaders in creating and implementing public policy. Sanders was offered the ECS job last year but declined because of unfinished business at SIU. He said he was always interested in the job and is looking forward to it. "It's an opportunity for me to influence elementary, secondary and higher education across the nation," Sanders said. Though he is looking forward to his new job, Sanders has not ruled out a possible appointment to the Cabinet if Bush is elected president. But for now, Sanders said, the idea is just rumor. "Why would I be taking a new post if I were considering going back to Washington?" Sanders asked. He added, "It is very difficult to say no to the president of the United States." Sanders has been SIU president for four and a half years. His efforts to consolidate Edwardsville and Carbondale administrative and financial operations have been criticized. More recently, his firing of Carbondale Chancellor Jo Ann Argersinger in July and buying lap-top computers for the trustees have drawn negative attention. Two organizations, SIU Help Overcome Our Present Emergency and Students for Excellence in Education, formed after Argersinger's termination. They were bent on having Sanders removed from office and they have seen his resignation as a success. Sanders declined to comment on the organizations Wednesday. Sanders said he will most miss the people he has worked with. "People are always the fondest memories," he said. The board of trustees is soliciting nominations for the presidency. Sanders said he will do all that he can to help the process. | |
Outgoing SIU President Ted Sanders is "not planning on another stand in Washington."