Davis addresses teachers union: "Hey, Charlie, Mr. former education commissioner!....."

[seafan]

Davis addresses teachers union

By STEPHEN MAJORS
Associated Press Writer

October 27, 2006

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jim Davis criticized Republican education policies, while proposing a teacher pay raise during a speech to the state teachers union Friday - a solid Democratic constituency that treated him like a rock star.
Davis, a congressman from Tampa, spoke so forcefully during his speech at the Florida Education Association's annual convention that his voice was straining. About 1,000 teachers heard him speak.

"We represent a special interest group that scares the heck out of politicians," yelled Davis, urging on supporters anticipating his punch line. "Angry moms."
Davis' speech ended with a throng of teachers waiving his campaign signs, chanting his name, and trailing him out of the hotel.
Davis said his opponent, Charlie Crist, and Gov. Jeb Bush, have established wrong education policies.
"Hey Charlie, Mr. former education commissioner, what do you think about the fact that we have temporary workers grading the FCAT ... deciding whether a child moves to fourth grade or graduates from high school?" Davis said. "And he said, 'What's the problem?'"

Audience members booed and hissed.
Davis also attacked Crist for not knowing when the FCAT is given.
He also said that since Crist was education commissioner, local property tax rates to fund schools have doubled. Property taxes increase with home values, which have skyrocketed in the past few years.

snip

Davis, who said teachers would get a $4,000 raise next year if he is elected governor, did not make specific promises relating to his education agenda. He has consistently said he would use the FCAT as simply a diagnostic tool and not as a way to grade and punish schools. Davis is opposed to the use of vouchers.
"I don't like to make promises because they are hard to keep," Davis said. "But I'll make one with you today. As the next governor of the state of Florida I will always treat you with respect."

snip

"They keep running this chair around on TV," Davis said, referring to an ad that shows an empty chair rolling along the street. "I'm proud of my record. Ninety-three percent attendance record. I think that's an 'A' in your schools. Anybody who knows me knows I never sit down. I'm standing up."
"We refuse to stay the course," said Davis, ending with a campaign mantra. A long line of teachers followed him out the aisle, chanting "Davis! Davis!" and trailed him out in front of the hotel where he briefly met with reporters.

snip

GO, JIM DAVIS!

[watercolors]

1. proud of him, he has stepped up to the plate!

I think we have a win here. Lots of Davis signs around.

[seafan]

2. Davis: "You are the heart and soul of our schools! You represent the best of our state."

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/state/content/state/epaper/2006/10/28/a15a_fea_1028.html">Teachers give Davis warm welcome

By Dara Kam

Palm Beach Post Capital Bureau
Saturday, October 28, 2006

snip

Davis, speaking to about 1,200 of the Florida Education Association's 130,000 members, brought the crowd to its feet by expressing his appreciation for the Democrats' core voters and calling Republican opponent Charlie Crist "unfit to be governor."
"The heart and soul of our state are our public schools, and you are the heart and soul of our schools," Davis said. "You represent the very best of our state. On behalf of my lovely bride of 20 years, Peggy; on behalf of my two sons, Peter and William, who attend public schools; on behalf of the citizens; on behalf of Jeb Bush, who should have said it a long time ago, and Charlie Crist, thank you for what you do for our children."

Davis' voice grew hoarse as his remarks, frequently interrupted with applause, became more heated.
"I love hanging out with y'all," Davis told the enthusiastic group. "God, you're a feisty bunch. There is more political testosterone in this room than any room in the state of Florida right now," Davis said.
Davis attacked Gov. Bush's education reforms, promised to do away with FCAT-based grading of schools and pledged a $4,000-a-year salary hike for teachers next year.

He ended his 20-minute speech by asking for campaign contributions and urging union members to show up at the polls between now and Nov. 7.
"We are right on Charlie Crist's heels. ... We are virtually even with him in the polls. This race boils down to how badly you want it. We're not asking you to vote for us simply because we're Democrats, simply because Charlie Crist is unfit to be governor," Davis said. "The middle class in this state is under siege. There are millions of people counting on us. There is nothing we can't do if we stand together."

On his way out of the Rosen Center auditorium, amid strains of Bruce Springsteen's The Rising, dozens of supporters surrounded the Tampa congressman, chanting "Go, Jim, go," and seeking autographs.
"Jim Davis hit a home run today," union President Andy Ford said. "He energized the crowd and guaranteed to get us through the next 11 days through the general election."

snip