Obama and education
James Forsyth 9:10pm
One of the major things that Obama has to demonstrate between now and election day is a willingness to break with his party; McCain, who has broken with his party on issues from campaign finance reform to climate change, is going to hit Obama hard on this issue over the next two months. On This Week today, Obama brought up his positions on education as proof of his readiness to buck Democratic orthodoxy when necessary:
"I think that, on education, we do have to improve accountability. And I’ve not only supported charter schools, which the teachers’ unions have opposed, but I’ve also said that we should look at pay-for-performance," he said. "That’s not something that’s popular in my party."
This is an encouraging answer but if Obama truly wants to be the “education president”, something he has the potential to be if elected, he should go further. A combination of merit pay, vouchers, moving away from the local property tax system for funding schools--which exacerbates educational inequality and support for charter schools would transform US education for the better.
Ian C
September 8th, 2008 1:42pm Report this commentNo-one will believe that Obama will get anything through Congress that the Dems. in congress are fundamentally against.
And the revealing test will come when he is asked to support McCain's education plans if the latter wins.
mary wilson
September 11th, 2008 8:02pm Report this commentMcCain was held as a POW - he had a different experience than the guy/gal on the front line. He also had an affair with and then married his billionaire heiress - his plan would only lower the discretionary budget - Obama chose to work in the south side of Chicago - he was raised by a single parent - he worked to help those less fortunate. He married a gal who came from a blue collar family and they come off as gracious and genuine. McCain seems outdated and angry and negative. I trust OBAMA for my safety as well as my pocketbook. We've had enough old crusty conservative white guys - I'd prefer to see a woman as president. Obama is just a good, decent human being. He cares. McCain is back and forth... http://clashorama.com/index.php?id=192
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