By Howard Fischer
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/knau/local-knau-786937.mp3
Phoenix, AZ – The speculation continues that Janet Napolitano will take a job
in the new Obama administration. Arizona Public Radio's Howard
Fischer said that was further stoked by the president-elect's
decision Wednesday to name her to his transition team.
Gubernatorial press aide Jeanine L'Ecuyer is doing nothing to
quell rumors that her boss may be Washington bound. In fact, she
brushed aside questions of whether Napolitano has been asked by
Obama's staff for the kind of personal and background information
that would be necessary to screen potential nominees.
(I just cannot get into that discussion.)
That's not saying no and it's not saying yes.
(Mmm hmm.)
Obama himself told reporters in January that any Democrat would
be wise to consider having the governor in the Cabinet. He called
her a -- quote -- singluar talent -- and said she has -- quote --
the kind of tone and temperament I'd want to see in my
government. The only thing L'Ecuyer would say is that Napolitano
does not believe her duties on the transition team will interfere
with her responsibilities as governor -- including helping to
craft a solution to the state's billion-dollar deficit. L'Ecuyer
said there isn't even a specific plan for how much time those
duties will take.
(I image sometime in the next 24 to 48 hours we may know a little
bit more about exactly how this board is going to work. But right
now we just don't know.)
We may get more details later today when the governor has her
weekly briefing.
For Arizona Public Radio, this is Howard Fischer.