What about the Leach U of I President Rumor?

[tom2]

I am surprised nobody has brought up the rumor that hit the Iowa papers this morning about Leach being considered for the presidency of the University of Iowa. The Ames Tribune, the Sioux City paper, and DMR had articles this morning, as did the Iowa City press:

http://www.hawkcentral.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060204/NEWS01/602040306/1079/HAWKS

If Leach was to take the U of I job, that would be great for us. If he dropped out before his reelection bid, then we should win, as would be the case if he resigned and there was a special election next year.

I was really caught off guard by the rumor. Does anyone have any inside information? Maybe it is all BS, or wishful thinking.

[Bluzmann57]

1. Isn't happening

Read it in the QC Times this morning. It seems that he isn't qualified, which is probably true. It may be on www.qctimes.net. It was in the print edition on Sunday, 2/5/06.

[tom2]

2. He is qualified

It surely does not take an academic background to be a university president today. It is mostly a figurehead/fundraiser position these days. You would have a provost to run the university for you.

Leach would probably be more qualified than anyone applying for the job. At least that is my opinion as a professor.

Someone started this rumor, and for a reason.

[pstans]

4. Branstand is President of Des Moines University

[pstans]

3. Leach's fundraising numbers weren't great

He wasn't that far ahead of Loebsack and he is the incumbant. Something might be up.

[Debi]

6. He never raises money

He doesn't take PAC money, only raises hard money and has issue groups do glowing ads about him right before the election.

[rurallib]

5. He gets mentioned every time the job opens

which is about every three years anymore. I don't think his knowledge of football is good enpugh to be a university president.

[blueloo]

7. He's the Vice Chairman of an excellent think tank

http://www.tcf.org/about.asp

This think tank, from my view, is a left-of-center, practical approach, public policy organization. Their Board of Trustees is very impressive and the work the fellows produce is excellent.

This doesn't "qualify" him by any means but certainly shows that he's not estranged from the spirit of a university.