Candybear,

Good for you for applying. My logic is, it never hurts to try. If it would be a better job for you go for it. And as for their response that they're going to look for external applicants, don't let that get you down. Make sure you get a fair interview, have your resume put together and treat it formally like you would if you were going after a job someplace else. Don't let the brush you off with "we'll discuss it later" pin them down on when the interviews are taking place and what the hiring process will be.

Go for it.

--splitimage