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When he knows what he wants, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan doesn’t mess around.

Just yesterday, the Post reported as an exclusive Duncan’s endorsement of mayoral control for New York City, which is up for renewal before the end of June. Today, in an unusual assertion of federal power in local politics, Duncan told a forum of mayors that he would have their backs in their fight to win control of their cities’ schools. From an AP article that was just filed:

“I’ll come to your cities,” Duncan said. “I’ll meet with your editorial boards. I’ll talk with your business communities. I will be there.”

Mayoral control is set to take center stage at a convention later this week sponsored by the Joel Klein-headed Education Equality Project. Duncan, who ran Chicago’s schools for more than seven years under the control of Mayor Richard Daley, is delivering the opening speech.