National Education Association Advances Endorsement for Obama in 2012

[Freddie Stubbs]

The National Education Association took a major step on Friday toward becoming the first labor union to formally endorse President Obama’s re-election bid, announcing that its political action committee approved a recommendation for the union to back Mr. Obama and for its 3.2 million members to vote for him.

The move by the nation’s largest union will inevitably be followed by other unions endorsing Mr. Obama, whose campaign hopes that organized labor will be a crucial component in his re-election effort, especially in pivotal swing states like Ohio, Wisconsin, Missouri, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

In announcing the move, the union’s president, Dennis Van Roekel, said:

“Will we allow Congress to gut Medicare, slash education and cut Social Security, and continue to make it just fine for hedge fund managers and corporations to sidestep paying taxes? Or will we act and assert the real American values of hard work and responsibility, a commitment to a vibrant middle class, to college affordability, and the opportunity to reach the American Dream? It is time to stand strong for what we believe in and what is right for students and families, schools and the nation. President Barack Obama has proven he deserves a second term.”

more: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/05/06/n-e-a-advances-endorsement-for-obama-in-2012/?partner=rss&emc=rss

[madrchsod]

1. obama and duncan have shown solid support for the teachers

their programs have improved the quality of education in this country and improved the security of the teachers and their unions. they have been the last defense in the never ending right wing message of blaming the teachers for the quality of education and making sure teachers get paid their worth.

yes it is a very good thing that this union endores obama and in the future more unions will come forth with their endorsements.

after all the other side is far worse.....


where is our card check?

[MadHound]

3. Are you serious? Or is well played sarcasm?

If you are serious, you obviously haven't been paying attention to the damage done by this administration's education policies.

If you are being sarcastic, well done.

[WinkyDink]

4. I'm going with "sarcasm." :-)

[madrchsod]

8. yes, i`m being sarcastic...

[Brickbat]

2. I'm interested to see what state levels do.

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. Have any state-level unions even suggested that they may not endorse President Obama?

[Brickbat]

11. State-level unions don't always follow national leadership.

As I say, I'm interested to see what they'll do.

[Freddie Stubbs]

15. Did that happen with any unions in 2008?

[erodriguez]

5. NEA begins the process. We'll see how that vote goes.

the AFT has already sold its rank and file out by having Gates at its annual meeting. Now the NEA is endorsing Obama. The leadership is going to have a lot of explaining to do.

[Freddie Stubbs]

17. Is there any doubt that the rank and file will vote to endorse him?

[MineralMan]

6. That's good to hear. It demonstrates that

teachers, who elect the leadership of their union, do not all share the view of some regarding President Obama's intent with educational issues. We see a different point of view sometimes here on DU.

Again, teachers elect the leadership of their union. Apparently, some who did not vote for that leadership also do not agree with it. Some are even teachers, I suppose.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. The NEA Assembly in July should be interesting

I'm thinking there will be a few fireworks.

[lamp_shade]

7. Yay Arnie!! Yay Mr. President!!

[Zax2me]

10. No brainer, no news

Did anyone on planet think they would go to republicans to find someone to endorse?

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. I expected them to wait to endorse

It's called leverage. NEA leadership apparently isn't familiar with the concept.

[Radical Activist]

14. The Obama-hating teacher caucus of DU

will eventually find themselves isolated on the fringe of their own union.

[joeybee12]

16. Not really a surprise, Duncan and Obama have done lasting damage to public education...

but as long as the leadership gets to go to thier fancy cocktail parties, well then, screw teachers and kids. There is a big disconnect between DC and the public and leaders of unions and their rank and file.

[Freddie Stubbs]

18. The rank and file will have to vote to approve this

Do you believe that such a vote will fail?