His motives are partly self-serving: he needs social credentials in a state that leans leftwards.

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But Ms. Black needed, and was ultimately granted, a waiver from the state Education Department, because she didn't have the education credentials or experience in schools required by state law.

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You can watch those hearings with an eye toward learning what your senators are really concerned about, and no senator questioned Negroponte's credentials to become deputy secretary of state.

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