NEA delegates may prefer an unbroken string of heirs, but it makes reporting tedious. With Reg Weaver term-limited out in 2008, the music has stopped and everyone will move up one chair.

Potential candidates have until next April to declare for higher office, but the campaign effectively started and ended at about 9 p.m. last Thursday when NEA Vice President Dennis Van Roekel declared for president, and Secretary-Treasurer Lily Eskelsen declared for vice president.

The big battle will be to replace Eskelsen as secretary-treasurer, because you don’t rise to the throne without serving your time as earl, duke and prince. Two members of the Executive Committee will run for the office: Marsha Smith of Maryland and Becky Pringle of Pennsylvania. Pringle gave a lengthy goodbye speech at the end of the convention, then delegates were greeted by her campaign posters and flyers as they left the hall.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could throw in a Richard III, or maybe test the Ottoman method of succession?