George Lightbourn says Tom Barrett has to choose: MPS or the governor's office.

Should Barrett simultaneously pursue the takeover of MPS and the governor's office, he will have to keep one eye on the campaign, one eye on running the city and one eye on MPS. At the critical moment in the life of MPS, would he be able to give it the attention it needs? Doubtful.

And what type of attention would it be? He will be the one approving the next contract with the Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association. How tough would he be, and how hard a bargain would he drive? I wouldn't expect him to sign a bare-bones deal. After all, Barrett was the fellow who dropped his original idea for mayoral takeover when the union turned up the heat the first time he ran for mayor.

Education reform requires breaking more than a few eggs, taking people out of their comfort zone. I cannot conceive that a gubernatorial candidate would deliver the dose of strong medicine that's needed to the union, parents, teachers, principals and politicians alike. Campaigns aren't about hard messages. Campaigns involve painting with broad strokes about concepts like hope and change.

The bottom line is that Barrett cannot take over MPS and run for governor at the same time. It might sound harsh, but he has to choose between furthering his own aspirations or the aspirations of Milwaukee's children.