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Weekend Readings
Ross Douthat — Andy Ferguson on the attempt to reboot the National Museum of American History. The University Bookman's "regionalism" issue. Frum on George Packer. Brooks and TNR on Obama's education choices. Cato Unbound debates the roots of the economic crisis; Tyler Cowen chimes in. And of course, the entire December issue of the Atlantic.

Education Reformers Get a Lobbying Lesson
The Stump — ... In an article this week, I discuss Linda Darling-Hammond's leadership of Obama's education policy team and how the Stanford professor's role is upsetting many in the education reform community, which has aggressive views about how to improve schools. Today, a leading member of that community explained how reformers are pressing (or, at least, trying to press) the incoming administration to select one of their own as secretary of education. As it turns out, they're not very good at it. Since many reformers got into teaching, research, or other education jobs without plans help ...

Just Words?
The Daily Dish | By Andrew Sullivan — ... Seyward Darby worries that Obama's selection of Linda Darling-Hammond to head his education transition team is a troubling sign for school reform: ...

On Finding Better, Bolder Education Policies
The Stump — ... have responded to my article about Linda Darling-Hammond, saying that I take a surface-level approach to education policy ideas and the debate between two feuding, progressive camps. Goldstein says Darling-Hammond is well-suited for the job of heading the transition's education policy team: ...

The Education Battle Continues
The Stump — ... The already heated debate between two rival education camps--the traditionalists and the reformers--about leadership and policy under Obama is becoming even more virtriolic. On Friday, transition adviser Linda Darling-Hammond, whom I wrote about earlier this week, responded to her reform critics in a ...

Duncan, Bennet, or Schnur for Education
The Stump — ... After weeks of debate between two dueling education camps, a source close to the transition team says Obama's pick for education secretary could be announced--or leaked--before the end of the week. Based on conversations with transition officials, the source says the choice likely will be one of three final candidates: ...

Duncan to Education
The Stump — ... The choice is a solid move on Obama's part. It's a relief for the education reform camp, which sees the appointment of one of its own as a heartening sign of Obama's education priorities. But, while Duncan is a respected and aggressive change agent, he also appeals to the more traditional Democratic establishment and teachers' unions. Read ...