Handwriting on the wall...: So...One down, one left to withdraw!

Vocationally, I'm a 25-year experienced executive search consultant (corporate headhunter for the uninitiated). I can't tell you how many quality candidates I've seen go on an interview only to come back and tell me, "Not on a bet! They're looking for a sacrificial lamb!" Is that bleeting I hear in the background?

I watched the look on Gregory Thornton's face (via King 5) while he was in town, and it had that clenched jaw, forced smile, "Get me the Hell out of here!!!" look I've seen on umpy-kajillion candidates over the years. Remember, this is the candidate who was reported in the press as feeling it necessary to ask Cheryl Chow's permission to thank the audience for coming, or some such thing.

Yet David Brewster in another Crosscut article today praises her strong leadership through the search process and while the candidates were in town. Stalin was a strong leader, too, but I'm not sure that's what we're looking for.

My professional gut says the guy came to town, checked it out, and saw that this ship wasn't sinking...it sunk long time ago! Thornton, political animal and survivor that he is - remember...he's from Philly, and you don't eat cheese steaks for nuttin' - did the smart thing and pre-emptively pulled the plug on what would have been a career crushing move.

I don't agree with Ed Murray about much, but his proposal to gulag the Seattle School Board and replace it with an appointed body is looking wiser by the moment. You go, Ed!

The Piper

But did she say Yes?: I understand that they have offered the job to Dr. Maria.

Did she say "Yes" or are we still waiting for the other shoe to drop?

Charade: Why must we go through this face-saving charade of having the losing candidate "withdraw" right before the announcement is made? Why not report it for what it is?