The NAACP has approached PBS chat-show host Tavis Smiley in its search for a successor to Kweisi Mfume. While Smiley tells us he will meet with the civil rights group's search committee — which is considering more than 200 applicants for the top job — we also hear that he's locked into contract commitments.  "President and CEO of the NAACP is perhaps the most prestigious position in all of black America," he said in a statement yesterday. "It is flattering to be asked to consider such a vaunted opportunity for leadership and I have agreed to meet with them to hear more about their plans for the future."  Regarding the search, John White, the group's spokesman, told us: "I have not heard any favorite mentioned at the NAACP. . . . And I haven't heard Tavis Smiley say he wants to be president." [more]