From 2008:Obama unveils plans for education reform

[sufrommich]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama promised Tuesday to double funding for charter schools, pay teachers based on performance and replace those who aren't up to the job, embracing education proposals normally more popular with Republican candidates.
The Democratic presidential nominee says both parties must work together to improve education in a pitch to independent voters in this presidential election swing state, where the fight over education reform has been the focus of a longtime partisan battle. It was the first of two days that Obama was spending on education policy.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2008-09-09-obama-education_N.htm


What did those of you who seem to be surprised by his recent actions think he meant when he originally proposed this?

[DJ13]

1. So we should believe him on that, but accept the lies about the other 99% of his promises?

[sufrommich]

Your comment makes no sense. This was his position on

education in 2008,are you saying you didn't believe he meant it when you originally heard him say it?

[uponit7771]

5. Yeap, basically that's what this person is saying along with some other histronic information

[uponit7771]

4. Obama promise meter at over 80%, hate facts much? Thx

[paulk]

2. I'm not surprised

but I think that many hoped that his more Republican leaning positions were for the campaign and that once elected he would start acting like a Democrat.

[uponit7771]

3. Obama has done most of what he said he'd do, FUDrs could care less about the facts

[TheKentuckian]

6. Who is surprised? Not being surprised doesn't make it right.

This is a piece of the puzzle that it was clear the President would have to be stood up to on. I figured the caucus would tell him to piss up a rope but then it became clear that this would be an area where the TeaPubliKlans would be "bipartisan" on so it has been a fucking mess the whole way.

[readmoreoften]

7. They listened to people like you who said "he had to say things like that".

You Obama workers (I don't care if you're getting paid or if you're volunteers or if you're self-appointed acolytes, you're working for Obama not for justice or the American people) said during election that he didn't really mean all that conservative crap--it was just a chess game to win the middle. And now you're saying that he did mean it and you were for it all along.

[sufrommich]

8. I was for Hillary during the primaries.

And I said no such thing.I believed him when he said it as I'm sure most voters did.

[jefferson_dem]

9. Good post.

More light, less heat = a good thing. Thanks.

[walldude]

10. I thought it was fucking stupid then

and I still think it's fucking stupid. What's your point?

[sufrommich]

11. My point is that he was very clear about what his education

reforms would be and I don't remember vast amounts of outrage from DU about it. He's doing what he said he would do.

[tekisui]

13. What does it matter what you remember? This is a feeble attempt

to squash and divert honest criticism and discussion. It was wrong then when presented on the campaign trail. It is worse as a President seeking to implement policy.

[sufrommich]

16. Oh bullshit. pointing out that Obama was very truthful about

how he wanted to reform education is not an attempt to "to squash and divert honest criticism and discussion". You're free to discuss any damn thing you want to. Who's stopping you?

[tekisui]

18. Then, I don't see the relevance of your post. We got it, he's been wrong

on education for 3+ years now. Thanks for the reminder. I see people upset about this policy, not saying we were lied to on this issue.

[Luminous Animal]

12. I'm not surprised. I thought his education policy was a piece of shit. And I still think so.

Of course, as we were beaten over the head with over and over and over and over again... What is your alternative? McCain?

[treestar]

14. Apparently all that matters is the failure to snub a Bush

we hate Bush! We hate everyone named Bush! Obama should refuse to speak to a Bush! Hell we don't care what happens to teachers or students. We care that Obama fails to hate Bushes! He failed to cut them down! We hate Bush! We hate this Bush and that Bush! We hate every Bush! We hate Obama for being polite to any Bush! We don't care about education. We just care about putting Bushes in their place!

Honestly, to some that is all that appears to matter.

[Wilms]

15. No. It's Obama's policies.

Nice try.

[treestar]

19. Then why all the posts to the effect of :

Obama shares stage with Bush!

Obama shakes hands with Bush!

Obama says hello to a Bush!

There is no discussion of Obama's policy there. None even of Jebbie's. In fact there has not been one mention of just what Jebbie's are.

And a guilt by association worthy of those who had similar reactions to Obama knowing Ayers.

[Wilms]

20. I think there is plenty of discussion about Obama's policies on DU.

Perhaps some are not nuanced enough to appreciate the three level to the fourth power chess game. But enough get the general drift and have commented.

It's not "guilt by association". It's criticism of the Republican-licking policies this administration is soooo good and practiced at offering.

[treestar]

22. What is Republican policy?

As I said, Dubya violated it by even getting involved in education.

This area is not black and white.

No one has discussed the policies, only jumped to conclusions.

[Wilms]

23. There's plenty of discussion on DU.

If you are unaware of the criticism of Obama's education proposals, and how it mirrors Republican efforts, read more of the comments on DU. The case is being made.

[madfloridian]

17. Not surprised. We knew back then. But guess what.....the other choice

was a leader in the DLC which was pushing for charter schools for years.

So there was not much of a choice for teachers. 6 of one half a dozen of the other.

[ReggieVeggie]

21. Pay teachers based on performance

Performance? Hard-working career teachers could be really good at what they do but get the wrong children in their classroom and, therefore, their "performance" may not measure up. Obama proposes right-wing ideas.