The choice came down to Barbara Cargill and David Bradley. Perry should have picked Bob Craig, of Lubbock, a respected member and a moderate. Cargill will get to occupy the chairman’s seat until the Senate refuses to confirm her in 2013, as it has chosen to refuse to confirm the last two chairs Perry has picked from the conservative bloc on the board.  The board underwent a profound change in 2010 when two members of the conservative bloc were defeated and a Democrat who often sided with the conservatives did not seek reelection. I have been told that there will continue to be challenges to conservative incumbents in the 2012 primaries–Ken Mercer, of San Antonio, and possibly Bradley. I suppose readers don’t need to be told that “conservative,” when used to refer to an SBOE member, refers to someone who is more interested in fighting the culture wars than in improving education.