Wisconsin attack on teachers + Obama's embrace of right wing education reform = trouble in 2012?

[yurbud]

I just saw http://www.alternet.org/story/150183/reactionary_%27education_refomers%27_fenty_and_rhee_support_scott_walker%27s_attack_on_teachers">the article at Alternet on Michelle Rhee praising Scott Walker's attack on teachers, and it reminded me of how Obama pretty much ceded K-12 education policy to the right without a fight, and how that could come back to bite him on the ass.

Unless the GOP can pull a big ass rabbit out of their hat in the next year, Obama will be re-elected, but I have to wonder if he hasn't made the race closer than it needs to be embracing the right wing, slam public schools instead of fix them, bust unions, then privatize it so Wall Street can profit from it version of education reform.

If Obama had hewn a more traditional Democratic position on K-12, even if he didn't make a prominent issue of it in the campaign or during his first term, he would be in an excellent position to reap the benefits of the GOP's dramatic over-reach at the state level.

He will definitely still benefit from the over-reach with union members in general and probably independent voters, but ironically teachers themselves might be confused into inaction. Should we actively campaign for Obama because he will screw us at a slower pace than the GOP? Because he might not push for our jobs being turned over to McEducation Corporation before the end of his term but the GOP will do it as soon as possible?

I honestly wondered what side Obama would come down on in the Wisconsin conflict, and his general acceptance of the GOP narrative of reducing the deficit rather than taxing the sociopathic trust fund babies who broke our economy made my suspect his benign (for Walker) neglect of the issue was tacit approval.

Teachers' unions are great at doing the grassroots legwork of campaigning, and have contact with a lot of people, so if they are enthusiastic about a candidate, a lot of informal campaigning can happen too.

There is going to be less of that going on if Obama is only better on K-12 than his opponent graded on a curve, especially if the GOP gets an F and Obama gets a D+.

He still has time to throw Arne Duncan, and snake oil salesmen like Michelle Rhee under the bus. It might cost him the support of some billionaire self-appointed education ''experts'' but he would not only regain the confidence and enthusiasm of a key constituency, it would be the correct policy.

[ProSense]

1. "Obama's embrace of right wing education reform "

What the hell are you talking about?

President Obama's plan to replace NCLB

[w4rma]

4. "Support better tests." What B.S. (nt)

[ProSense]

8. " right wing education reform "

What BS!

[w4rma]

14. I'd definitely say that there is nothing more right-wing than dismantling public schools and

forcing their students to attend privately owned charter schools.

[yurbud]

10. I'm glad to see it! How about charter schools, privatization, and mass firings of teachers

as Duncan did in Chicago?

One problem is Obama's bipartisan shtick makes it harder to see the real differences you listed when he is so busy pointing out how much he agrees with the other side.

I would like to hear him say that privatization is not going to fix K-12, but simply divert some of the spending into corporate profits.

Also, the union busting and blaming teachers is going to make it much harder to attract smart, motivated people to the job. Who wants to sign up for no job security and regular beatings?

[MNBrewer]

2. Public education has been one of the "crown jewels"

of our nation for about a long time. I hate to think that it might become yet another revenue stream for some corporation.

[Swede]

3. The link doesn't lead to Rhee praising Walker.

Is there another link?

[sharp_stick]

6. None that I'm aware of

Lots of links to blogs with people saying, and feeding off each other saying, that Rhee praises Walker but I've never actually seen an actual reference.

[yurbud]

11. see this paragraph in the article and LINK to VIDEO of her saying it

Earlier this week, Fenty made the following statement: “He’s right on the substance, I think. I tend to agree with him on the need for collective bargaining reform. But he’s also right on the politics.” Rhee has repeatedly come out in support of Walker, saying she thinks, “the move to try to limit what they bargain over is an important one.”

She said it on Fox & Friends. Here's the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6KEpMMA8j3o

What is even more interesting to me is her specification of not allowing teachers to bargain over policy beyond their compensation & benefits. Isn't it possible that teachers both have the concern for kids and first hand knowledge that would be relevant in forming policy? And isn't it possible that legislators and self-appointed billionaire reformers might have some conflicting priorities, like protecting the rich from taxes or putting more money in the pockets of the rich by privatizing public education?

[polichick]

5. The prez has ceded so much to the right, he might as well run as a Republican...

...and let Dems come up with someone who fearlessly presents Democratic policies.

[Godhumor]

7. Except the WI teachers have consistently praised Obama's path in the debate

So, no, I don't see this leading to a backlash.

[tallahasseedem]

9. Now, now don't be posting facts...

in the daily Obama bashing thread!

[yurbud]

12. I'm glad to hear it. Can you post some links?

[Tarheel_Dem]

13. What complete & utter bullshit!

:thumbsdown:

[jefferson_dem]

15. The lamest drivel i've seen poster on DU in a long, long time.

Extreme failure.