Secretary of Education William J. Bennett has maintained a low profile since he announced that he would leave his post in September.
His spokesman, Loye W. Miller, said Mr. Bennett has been out of town most of the summer, which he said is usually a quiet period in the Secretary’s office.
Mr. Bennett has made some speeches on the road, however, including a recent one in Denver to workers in George Bush’s Presidential campaign. The Secretary defended the Vice President’s record, dismissing the barbs being tossed by speakers at the Democratic National Convention.
Despite spring rumors of a rift between Mr. Bennett and Mr. Bush, the Secretary, calling him “a good adviser and a good friend,’' said Mr. Bush had offered support on many occasions.
Besides making speeches, Mr. Miller said, Mr. Bennett spent several weeks conducting seminars on education at the Aspen Institute in Colorado.
Mr. Bennett’s next major public appearance will come as he addresses the Republican National Convention Aug. 17.
After he returns, he can look forward to a dinner in his honor that is to be attended by a long list of conservative dignitaries ranging from Phyllis Schlafly to Robert Bork.
Americans for Educational Choice, the beneficiary of the $50-a-head fundraiser, also lists three former Presidential candidates, former Attorney General Edwin Meese 3rd, the Rev. Jerry Falwell, and Cardinal Bernard Law as members of its “dinner committee.’'
Representative William Goodling, Republican of Pennsylvania, all but campaigned for Mr. Bennett’s job in a recent interview with a Harrisburg, Pa., newspaper.
Mr. Goodling, a long-time education advocate, said he was looking forward to working with Mr. Bush should he be elected, “whether I would be Secretary of Education or ranking [minority] member of the Education Committee.’'
“I think he’s aware of
