How can we ID and help candidates that oppose school privatization.?

[Smarmie Doofus]

I have about 100$ left . DNC is ... obviously... pro- charter, pro- RTTP and anti unions. Ergo... they get none of my cash.

DFA, PDA : it's hard to tell... based on website info.... which candidates are getting the cash donated thru those PACs.

Move on .org is more explicit about where and to whom the $$$ goes, but they've identified Harry Reid as one of three crucial senate races that they're fundraising for. I hope Reid wins... but he's explicitly pro-Obamacation, to the best of my knowledge.

I want to back people who are sailing against the "idiot wind" on this issue. In other words *real* reformers, not charlatans and know-nothings. People who either understand schools.... OR who understand that they DON'T understand schools.


Identifying these folks is difficult. As DEMs , they are under enormous pressure to parrot the party line... or at least stay quiet.


So ... how does one identify 2010 political candidates who understand the issue?

[LWolf]

1. Good question. nt

[disillusioned73]

2. Excellent question.....

has a website been set up??.. I'd definetely frequent it, f'ck the blue dogs!!

[adnelson60087]

3. Does the candidate have kids in a public school or

taught in a public school for at least a couple of years? If not, then go to their websites and read their policy stands on education. It usually tells you what you need to know.

[Smarmie Doofus]

4. Well, sure. But we're teachers here.

Contrary to a certain rampant social mythology.... we tend to have limited time ( and, ahem, *energy*) at the end of the day for political activism... even if it's only online activism. ( At least that's true for ME.)

Can't we do a better job of collectively identifying people who who hold or are seeking public office and who, at the same time "get it" re. school " reform"? And can't we organize to... in some sort of systemic way... to BACK those people politically?

I know... pretty much.... who "gets it" at the local level. But this is a NATIONAL election and school "reform" is a NATIONAL issue. National DEMs are either pro-Duncanism or hiding under the table.

I'd like to find the ones who are hiding under the table. We can at least TALK to them.

It's a start. Right now, NOBODY is speaking for us.

[adnelson60087]

5. I agree about the energy issue

but reading a website for policy info on your career and passion can surely be squeezed in sometime, at least I know I try to do so between classes and grading. Ugh, grading....

[Smarmie Doofus]

6. Only 435 House races ( 870 sites including GOP) and how many...

.... Senate races this year?

Nelson, you display "a youth and a vigor of which I retain but a dim memory." (Sorry. It's a line from a movie).

Trust me... I do what I can. My point , I guess, is that we need a PAC ( or its equivalent) set up to promote ideas to which most of us in this forum are consistently sympathetic.

To wit: *authentic*..... as opposed to ersatz, contrived, corporate-variety, Newsweek magazine-ish..... school reform.

A PAC. Or even a *website*. I'd settle for THAT right now.

This 100$ is burning a hole in my pocket. Someone needs hit. Someone ought to have it. I just don't know who.

[adnelson60087]

7. I feel ya....

if you're locals aren't a good choice, then try try some of your neighboring districts. I agree we need a PAC at least. You'd think the Unions might be of help, but they aren't worth much.

[Hannah Bell]

8. there's one to vote against in maryland

Jeanne Allen, president of the Center for Education Reform, is running for Delegate in Maryland's 16th district. She has raised about $60,000 so far. Updated campaign financing information was posted a few days ago, and there are a few interesting donations (I wrote about her earlier donations here).

TFA's Wendy Kopp donated $100 to Allen's campaign. Eileen Bakke, VP of the Imagine Schools, chipped in $1,000. Margaret Spellings gave $250, and Harlem Village Academy CEO Deborah Kenny donated $50. John and Laura Fisher both contributed $2,000 as did Lowell Milken. Friends of Charter Schools USA added $500.

http://www.schoolsmatter.info/