"Even though Gov Bush and I disagree on a range of issues we agree on the importance of education."

[jefferson_dem]

Oh my! A president with class?

But .... but ... he actually shared the stage with a GOPer!

Here's the "vewy sceeery" pool report :scared::

Democrats boo Jeb at Nelson-Obama fundraiser, but Obama defends him

Obama said he had just been with Jeb Bush (Getty Images photo from earlier event at Miami high school). The crowd booed and hissed. He said he knew that the name Bush was not one people might ordinarily hear at a Democratic fundraiser. “Even though Gov Bush and I disagree on a range of issues we agree on the importance of education to America.’’

Obama then recounted the uplifting story of the revamping of Miami Central, how students, parents and teachers, business people, community leaders came together to remake the school, how math scores are up by more than 60 percent, graduation rates went from 30 percent to 63 percent.

“I tell this story because making this kind of progress isn’t easy but its proof that its possible. It’s still possible for us to tackle tough problems in a constructive way. We don’t have to be calling each other names, it doesn’t have to be an ideological battle.’’

“Now part of the reason we’re all here is because we intend to win the next election. We believe in our vision for the future. There’s nothing wrong with winning. We wouldn’t be involved if we didn’t think we had better ideas. But each of us that wants to serve the public also has a responsibility beyond winning elections.’’

He said, “The biggest contest we face is not between Democrats and Republicans ,’’ adding that it is between the US and competitors in the rest of the world.

<SNIP>

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/the-buzz-florida-politics/content/democrats-boo-jeb-nelson-obama-fundraiser-obama-defends-him#comments

And here's a link to the "success story" the President referenced - http://miamicentral.dadeschools.net/

[MannyGoldstein]

1. "We are honored to be joined here today by a champion of education reform -- Jeb Bush"

"We're grateful for him being here"

[jefferson_dem]

3. Well, he slipped up.

Leaving aside the importance of class and dignity we should all expect from a president, he must have forgotten that "Bush" translates to "Satan" in purity speak.

[ReggieVeggie]

17. Obama lied

Bush is NOT any champion of education, so Obama lied. He wasn't civil. He lied.

[dionysus]

24. HE'S A LIAR!1!! *sob*

[ReggieVeggie]

25. that or ignorant

you choose

[jefferson_dem]

37. Ha!

This one's a real hoot. :crazy:

[jefferson_dem]

36. You have graciously anointed yourself as "the decider" of "truthiness"...

regarding people's personal opinions. Thank you kindly.

[Jakes Progress]

46. +100 It's tough but true.

There is a difference between being social and saying things that are not true. The bushes are not exemplars of public service; they are self-serving parasitic scum. Praising scum that made a part of his legacy to trash teachers and wreck unions is another slap to progressives from the administration.

[ClarkUSA]

5. Do you have a media source link for those alleged quotes?

[MannyGoldstein]

8. Does the White House's web site count?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/04/remarks-president-miami-central-high-school-miami-florida

[Name removed]

10. Deleted sub-thread

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[ClarkUSA]

43. So that snippet, out of all Pres. Obama said, is the only thing that deserves enormous attention?

This message is for you:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=433&topic_id=623041&mesg_id=623893

[Jakes Progress]

44. It deserves attention because it insults teachers.

Your link is dead.

[ClarkUSA]

49. I disagree. Jeb supported Pres. Obama push for an 11% increase in education funding.

That's fine by me. It's a shame that the substance of the event is being ignored.

[Jakes Progress]

50. Keep up. The substance of the event was to extend jeb bush changes.

More tests. More teacher lay-offs. More union attacks. That is what the 11% is for.

[ClarkUSA]

51. NYT: Obama wants to "significantly increase federal spending for public schools" & spare Pell grants

Gee, I had no idea Jeb Bush is a champion of Pell grants! :sarcasm:

The New York Times: "Obama’s Budget Proposes a Significant Increase for Schools"

"President Obama proposed a 2012 Department of Education budget on Monday that would, if approved, significantly increase federal spending for public schools, and maintain the maximum Pell grant — the cornerstone financial-aid program — at $5,550 per college student."

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/02/15/us/15education.html

The Washington Post: "Obama's education budget would spare Pell grants, increase spending 11% overall"

But House Republicans want deep, immediate cuts in both areas, setting up a clash early in the new Congress.

"It's a very stark contrast," said Joel Packer of the Committee for Education Funding, which represents dozens of education groups.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/02/14/AR2011021403265.html

For me, objective facts about President Obama's legislative agenda trump unsubstantiated rhetoric every time. I can't speak for everyone, of course, but it's good to see that education funding experts like Joel Packer understand the substance of the debate President Obama was trying to put forth yesterday, too.

[Name removed]

52. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Avant Guardian]

55. Obama cuts funding for higher education, mostly from PELL GRANTS

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x413664

[Jakes Progress]

57. That is not what the article you use says.

Obama's budget cuts the funding for Pell Grants. In a clever bit of wording that seems to work on some people, the administration emphasizes that they will maintain the amount a student gets but avoids saying that they will be cutting the amount of funding for Pell. So. Less money, fewer grants. jeb and other conservatives like this idea - fewer grants and less money for the poor.

The increase that Obama is requesting does not increase money for teaching. It would pay for more testing. The increased testing alone would account for the 11%. jeb would like that.

In addition, the proposal will make available to schools the money they will need to fire experienced teachers so that they can pay higher salaries to novice instructors like the TFA students. These youngsters give a couple of years (not nearly enough to become good at the job) at higher costs than the teachers they replace. jeb would like paying ivy leaguers more money to do what journeyman union teachers did before they got laid off.

I would be glad for an honest 11% increase. But the budget is spent the wrong way. Read up on what jeb has done to Florida schools to see that this administrations educational agenda is just an extension of the bush, reagan, bennet, norquist educational agenda.

Oh. And Joel Packer works for the Committee for Educational Funding. That organization's only goal is more money for schools. They don't care -by their own charter - how the money is spent. In this case the money would be spent furthering the corporate and neocon plans for American schools.

[Honeycombe8]

12. Good statement. It doesn't matter if someone is from the wrong side of town, as long as

the cause is the right one. Right? Of course right. That is....if you care more about education than political parties.

[Name removed]

21. Deleted message

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[Bodhi BloodWave]

38. the fun thing tho, is that obama kinda used Jeb as a prop for pushing his 11%

education increase in the budget.

The amusing part to me is that many of those attacking him keep saying things like "Words are useless, actions matter". So why do they focus so much on Obama's words and not on the important part of pushing for an increase in the education budget :)

[olegramps]

19. The same Jeb that was an original member of the PNAC that took us to war on lies.

[Uta]

2. Jeb Fricken Bush

Alrighty then.

[Loge23]

4. Making nice with the devil.

Let us not forget that the many of the GOP still think (believe) that Obama is an alien.
They are convinced - and working hard to convince the idiot masses - that Obama is a socialist.
Nothing, nothing, will change that.
Not endless compromise, not endowing Bush Sr. with a Medal of Freedom (how's that for irony), and certainly not standing with Mr. FCAT himself, the "smart one" - Jeb, at a public school. What's next? A photo op with Rick Scott??
No, Mr. President, it doesn't have to be an "ideological battle". But it is, and we're losing. And you standing there with the enemy doesn't help. Maybe that's the way you want it.

[Jakes Progress]

6. They Might Be Giants had this covered

in their song "Your Racist Friend"

Two lines from the song the president should listen to:

"Can't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding"

and

"This is where the party ends"

[Bluenorthwest]

18. I've been quoting that song to him since McClurkin

and Warren and Caldwell. Obama is not as wise as TMBG.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted sub-thread

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[MiniMe]

7. The only reason Jeb agrees is because Neil Bush is getting rich off of it

Neil is selling "educational" software.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

9. Since when has a Bush had any regard for anything human?

Well, much to the detriment of the USA backing Republicans over the past number of years has put the USA down the tubes.

[Union Scribe]

11. You posted to point out that he and Bush are on the same page?

You really thought that'd make him look good huh?

[Honeycombe8]

13. It's a good thing some of the posters here are not in charge of education.

Our state of education would be in an even worse mess, if the people in charge of it refused to accept help from "the wrong kind."

Politics makes strange bedfellows, so the saying goes. And it's true.

It's immature to refuse help with a program because you don't like the person offering the help. If your kid needs help with school, would you refuse tutorial help from a Republican tutor? Of course not. Because it's the education of the child that is most important.

It's easy to be sanctimonious when you don't understand a problem and can just sit in your easy chair and criticize and not have to worry about actually getting anything done. Those who actually want to get something done recognize that you work with whoever has the same goal, regardless of who they are. There was a time when people refused to work with blacks or other minorities. Even though it was in their best interest. When you grow emotionally, those old prejudices fall by the wayside, if it's the cause that is your main concern.

[Name removed]

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[Doctor_J]

41. You're pretty far out there

e people in charge of it refused to accept help from "the wrong kind."

Jeb Bush cannot possibly offer and help with education. It isn't that he's the "wrong kind", it's that he is wrong, and corrupt, and a liar.

[obamafourmore]

14. It seems like

by opening his eyes in the morning, this president already offending the "Left". It's a waste of time to even argue with them.

[mkultra]

15. more speeches from the grown up drawing ire of the teenagers

[young but wise]

16. Good for those students. That is great progress.

[Bluenorthwest]

20. Remember when Obama refused to be photographed with

Gavin Newsome? I do. Context is everything.

[Jakes Progress]

47. Obama can be principled when he wants.

It depends on what he believes in. He did not believe in Gavin Newsome's efforts to move GLBT issues forward. He does believe in jeb bush's approach to education. It is the same plan that w buh and ronald reagan pushed. Now a Democrat is doing it. That is why so many here approve of this neocon effort. Had the administration's education plan been advanced by w bush, the same people would be denouncing it. It is politics of personality.

[NorthCarolina]

23. Helping to rehabilitate the "Bush" name for a 2016 run for the WH? nt

[Godhumor]

27. Yes, Obama absolutely wants to let Bush in the White House after finishing his term.

That makes perfect sense.

(Not really)

[pscot]

32. Bingo

He brought the Republican brand back from the dead. Maybe hé sees Jeb as a successor who will preserve his "legacy". Continuity is so important.

[EndElectoral]

26. Tough to stomach

[ClarkUSA]

28. Bill Clinton praises Bush book: Bush took "the responsibilities of the office seriously"

Former President Bill Clinton is heartily praising "Decision Points," the new memoir by his successor, former President George W. Bush, as "well-written and interesting from start to finish."

"I think people of all political stripes should read it," Clinton said in a statement Friday. "George W. Bush also gives readers a good sense of what it’s like to be president, to take the responsibilities of the office seriously, do what you think is right, and let history be the judge."


Read more: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1110/45034.html#ixzz1FkEnsEOX

------------------

Hillary praised Gingrich: "Newt is the smartest man in Washington!"
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110303215452AAVtYMv

------------------

Hillary praises McCain again, says he’s crossed ‘Commander in Chief threshold’
http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/14809.html

I wonder if all the hand-wringers here feel the same way about the Clintons.

[TheKentuckian]

29. Who gives a shit about Bill Clinton? He may be a neolib idol but his example is not to be emulated

in the eyes of the Democratic Wing of the party.

Goes double for "The Family" loving Hillary.

[ClarkUSA]

33. Not you, perhaps. But lots of people here are big Clinton fans.

[Mimosa]

56. Obama really cares about this issue, more than health care, that's certain

There's a big difference between being a 'fan' and being a 'citizen'. I deplore personality cults.

The rich and the climbers at the top in this country have more in common with each other than any of them have with 'ordinary people' who didn't attend Yale, Columbia and Harvard. The ambitions of the political upper class are supported by the corporate enterprises of the wealthy.

The President's FL speech on education is very interesting and worth careful reading:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2011/03/04/remarks-president-miami-central-high-school-miami-florida

He is all for Charter schools. For many years before H. Katrina struck, New Orleans residents were disappointed by the public school board's ongoing corruption which robbed students of the educations to which they were entitled. Shortage of money there was not the problem. For years and years millions of bucks (one year it was 25m which disappeared, unaccounted for) were stolen in crooked contracts, etc. and the crooks on the school board never got prosecuted. I hear that has happened here in Atlanta as well. In both cities less than 50% of public school students graduate.

So I tend to think Obama knows more about the issue than I do. I'm sure his intentions are good on this issue.

What is Silverado Neil Bush's educational software all about?

[whatchamacallit]

31. It's shit like that

that exposes the truth about our "democracy".

[Avant Guardian]

54. What do Bill and Hillary Clinton have to do with Obama meeting Bush?

Nothing.

You believe Bill and Hillary are some kind of arch-rivals/enemies of Obama or something, no? lol

[whatchamacallit]

30. Just another slap in the face for the left

why does he do this shit?

[Name removed]

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[treestar]

39. What I want to know is why is the main story not the revamping

of Miami Central and the success there?

why are we letting Jebbie get the attention?

:wtf:

Then you'll get the same people saying we are not good at "message control." Well here is a clear example.

[paulk]

40. they agree on the importance of privatizing education

lots of money to be made there

[ClarkUSA]

42. Really? Prove it. Provide sourced and complete quotes where President Obama says exactly that.

If what you're saying is true, such proof should be easy to find and document, right?

[Name removed]

45. Deleted sub-thread

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[Jakes Progress]

53. Really? The proof is in the president's education plan.

Have you seen what the administration is pushing. They want more tests. They want more corporate involvement. They want less union influence.

That sounds like what jeb did in Florida to me.

Can you find sourced and complete quotes where the president says he is against privatizing schools?

[Jakes Progress]

48. Does the whole truth change your mind?

After you read the link in Manny's post #8, do you still have the opinion you expressed in the your OP?

Do you believe that jeb is a "champion of education reform"? I don't. And I wouldn't say that.

Do you believe that we should be grateful for the work that jeb bush is doing for education? I think he should be condemned for abusing his office to push his corporate agenda in education.

Do you believe that the bush family exemplifies public service? I think they are self-serving parasites.


And finally, do you believe that it was necessary to praise bush and his family? He could acknowledge the ex-gov without lavishing him with praise for his "good" works.

[Umbral]

58. Oh my! A president with class? Oh my! A president kissing ass. nt