With Hurd, is HP buying grooming time for VJ?

While all eyes are on HP's new chief executive Mark Hurd, the decision suggests that that Vyomesh Joshi (VJ), HP's head of personal computers and printing and imaging is clearly on a fast track for the top job, according to analyst Rob Enderle, of the Enderle Group.

In a blog post, he praises HP for selecting Hurd, but veers suddenly toward an affirmation that VJ will eventually lead the company. Enderle speculates that Hurd's tenure will fall somewhere between three to five years, "allowing for the critical time necessary to groom VJ for the job and for VJ to groom his successor."

It'slikely that before the announcement Enderle put his money onVJ, a favorite among many analysts since he's an insider with a good reputation. Butis it fair to frameMark Hurd as a transitionalCEO with no legacy to build just as he just steps up to the plate?