Teachers union to endorse Clinton

Posted: Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:19 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Domenico Montanaro
At 1 p.m., Clinton will be endorsed by the 1.4-million-member American Federation of Teachers.

The endorsement comes after votes from the 41-member AFT executive council and feedback from members through its Web site.

“Our members have told us that they want a leader they can trust to strengthen public education, increase access to healthcare, promote commonsense economic priorities and secure America’s place in the world,” said AFT President Edward J. McElroy in a press release. “Hillary Clinton is that leader.”

***UPDATE*** NBC/NJ's Athena Jones adds the AFT chose to endorse Clinton after a seven-month process in which the union's executive council met with seven of the Democratic candidates and candidates participated in question and answer sessions with the council and with union members.

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Comments

wonder if there was any Chinese money funneled into the union?

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:27 PM)

Shocker! I had them going with Romney.

Will Barrow (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:33 PM)

Jerry- broken record, broken record, broken recordddddddddddddd.....adnauseum!GET HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

juan,ft lauderdale,fl (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:33 PM)

Of course they did, and the postal union too. Way to go Hillary!!

Chris penn (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:39 PM)

I'm an AFT member, and generally have no problem with the Clinton endorsement since the main purpose is to focus the presidential campaign on education issues. However, I suspect that AFT members are not unanimous in their preference for Clinton. I lean toward John Edwards. He's much more likely to point out the plain truth about financing public education - that fundamentally the wealthier segment of our society is not thrilled about helping to pay for the education of poor children; and that poverty creates barriers to equality that teachers can't fix. Edwards is willing to call a spade a spade. Clinton's heart is in the right place, but it seems that she's too willing to give a seat at the table to opponents of reform who end up eating all the food.

And Jerry, your snide remarks are not worthy of a thoughtful reply. Do you have nothing better to do with your time than spam MSNBC with inanities?

Math Teacher, San Antonio (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:41 PM)

They also endorsed Kerry in 2004. Look how well that turned out.

Johndroe (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:44 PM)

republiclans hate teachers.. after all they really want to do away with public education altogether.

they seek a 3rd world status for the US,,,, one wealthy ruling class, and the rest docile impoverished slaves

Tuck, Realityville, Kansas (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:47 PM)

Jerry is obsessed with China now... TOTALLY OBSESSED. "Time for another pill Mr. Jerry" the resident nurse at the psychiatric hospital said.

bb (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:49 PM)

Jerry, ask yourself why orginizations working for the common worker are all backing democrats? I haven't seen one endorsment from any unions for a republican candidate. So if the republicans are not getting the common worker vote, the black vote, the hispanic vote, or the christian evangelical vote, just who are they going to get votes from? The top 1% of the country? The republican party is full of bigotry, hatefulness, war mongering and extra money for rich people. Good luck in the next elections. Jerry, your party is just about done.

Stopwatchingfoxnews, Rochester, NY (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:53 PM)

I wonder if they were railroaded into voting for clinton like the Postal union was?

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:54 PM)

why? has anyone even seen Obamas platform? its too early for these endorsements that are based on "feedback from members [of the AFT]Web site!" the media has not provided fair coverage of good news neccessary for AFT members to have unbiased feedback. Its simply following along blindly thinking that Hillary is the right choice. If we knew now what we knew then many including Hillary would have not voted for Wars on the Senate floor or for that matter voted for George W Bush in the elctions 2000(we can have a beer with him at a bar but didnt know how much of an idiot he really way). Lets spend the time to educate ourselves so that we dont again regret our choices. This is a governmnet for the people by the people. Lets educate ourselves before we run into stupid endorsements. Obama deserved this one. Hillary was just bestowed it because her husband got it.

Jorge P, Bronx, NY (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:54 PM)

Johndroe, maybe you should support teachers and then maybe you would be able to type John Doe.

Stopwatchingfoxnews, Rochester, NY (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 12:55 PM)

I retired at 55 from the IBEW, how many of you union haters out there will be able to retire at 55 from your minimum wage jobs? Remember all those benefits you get, paid holidays, health care, sick days etc. etc. came from union negotiating at the bargaining table, so you are a hypocryte if you accept these union negogiated benefits and then bitch about unions.

retired union man, ibew (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:00 PM)

retired union man, ibew (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:01 PM)

I think Jerrys last name is chung or maybe schmitz. I know its either Chinese or German in origin.

Jeffersonian (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:04 PM)

Tuck, Realityville, Kansas / 'they seek a 3rd world status for the US,,,, one wealthy ruling class, and the rest docile impoverished slaves'

make no mistake tuck, hillary clinton has the same dream, she just approaches it from a different angle

MK,MO (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:12 PM)

I'm not 55....
I work for the government.....
But I do not have union representatives......

I f I have a gripe, which I rarely do I go talk to the boss.......

I don't need to pay a union guy to represent me.....
I'd rather be a man and take care of it myself....

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:12 PM)

So, Mr. IBEW man, you say you didn't work long, you didn't work hard, and now you are a burden on society. You are the perfect Democrat. Either that, or you're French.

Kris Karnsworth, Canton OH (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:17 PM)

Jerry has no reason to post comments on this website because he knows nothing about politics. He merely regurgitates what is fed to his fat face from Fox Noise on MSNBC.com

pat, huntington, ny (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:17 PM)

That is why our postage is out of sight and our kids are killing each other in the schools radicals voting for radicals. The educational system does nothing for the kids and the postal service robs us blind no wonder they love Clinton. You fail to realize their endorsement doesnt mean Jack. The Clintons are out for power and they wont get it. Anyone who votes for that sick woman is sick themselves.

Debra Price Houston, Tx (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:20 PM)

Give the AFT a break--they just want to win. No Obama cumbayahs; no Edwards'phony interest in the poor and disenfranchised. Al Davis said it best: just win baby.

DCJoe (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:26 PM)

I know nothing about politics.....

At least I don't need a Cubs fan from Illinois to be my Senator LOL

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:26 PM)

I don't think endorsements mean all that much. Despite being a teacher, and a member of the NEA, I have never even considered what my union thinks when I vote.

TeachinCT (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:32 PM)

jerry the plant.

jjg, ms (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:36 PM)

Thanks for proving my point Jerr.

pat, huntington, ny (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:37 PM)

So Jerry, are you sending us these little gems on taxpayer time?

And Debra in Houston: read carefully what you wrote, darlin'. Where exactly is there any evidence of logical thinking?

Math Teacher, San Antonio (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:43 PM)

Debra Price everyone... the lone female in America that still thinks a woman's place is in the kitchen. Then again, this lovely poster is from the wonderful state of Texas. I bet you think Bush has been doing a simply stand up job also, don't you? Pathetic

Travis, Mobile Al (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:47 PM)

I am so glad I could prove your point Pat that people in new York are just too stupid to do anything for themselves. Takes an outsider like Clinton to teach you libs in New York LOL. maybe I should move up there and run for Governor, might make it just as great a state as texas.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:49 PM)

As a citizen, I would like to go on the record as saying I do NOT endorse this Teachers Union (AFT), nor do I endorse public education.

Even though I pay taxes for public education, I will voluntarily spend my own money on sending my kid to a private school.

With the mix of socialist revisionism taught by public school teachers, the gang crime and the drugs, public schools simply have nothing to offer. And, that the Teachers Union endorses Hillary Clinton also means nothing to me. Nothing.

That's ZERO for you public educators out there.

Private Citizen, Royse City, Texas (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:56 PM)

Math teacher:

are you?
I have to leave in a while......

when it comes to logical thinking, the teachers and the postal workers are about a yard shy of a first down.

jerry/corpus christi texas (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 1:57 PM)

Little j, sad little j screaming at the computer, red faced and sniveling. Poor little j even thinks he is a man . LOL LMAO little j likes LOL'S give him some ...LOL, LOL......

HOT DAM (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:04 PM)

Little j, sad little j screaming at the computer, red faced and sniveling. Poor little j even thinks he is a man . LOL LMAO little j likes LOL'S give him some ...LOL, LOL......

HOT DAM (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:05 PM)

POSTAGE is out of sight? Is this woman for real? Man, if that's her biggest financial problems, I'd sure love to live her life!
No wonder they say republicans are out of touch w/ real people.
Get a computer lady and pay online for pete's sake!

c.godfrey, ny, ny (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:05 PM)

so now Jerry is Debra Price, how original..and from Texas of course.

bb (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:07 PM)

Debra Price everyone... the lone female in America that still thinks a woman's place is in the kitchen

Really Debra, get with the program. A woman's place is under the desk. Just ask Bill.

Monica (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:08 PM)

So what the union endorsed Hillary...You think she gives a damn about public education, she wants POWER, POWER and more POWER, doesnt care who she has to suck up to, lie to or promise stuff to, as long as her agenda is met Which is her getting power..she couldnt care less about the rest of this country...her own needs just like her husband...whoever she has to use to get what she wants she will, whatever lie she has to tell she will, and you Hillary lovers just lap it up... I want a change in this government too, but if we want a change we need John Edwards in the White House...he will be the one who does it for us...Hillary will bring us down down down...

EDWARDS IN '08 (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:13 PM)

Private Citizen, Royse City, Texas:

I send my kids to public school in big, bad ny, where they have a laptop for every kid in their middle school, a tv/radio station where they gain experience running equip., my kids love the beatles and hate rap. Their most expensive sneakers do NOT sell for 3 figures, have to stop and think if asked what color their friend is, walk home from school with friends and not armed guards, and often tell me how great their teachers are and how much they make them actually think! (what a shocking concept!). For all of that, I have a 2-bedroom house w/ a mtg you can't get a decent apt for in Houston and I pay a total of $1,500 property tax - from which I just received my FOURTH $400 rebate in the last 4 years.
I DID have my daughter in private school for her first 2 years, but she was failing every subject. I took her out and now spend the difference on a great summer camp and a yearly vacation.

c.godfrey, ny,ny (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:14 PM)

There,s a civil war in Texas , there,s a civil war in Texas. I,m gonna tell.

Jeffersonian (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:15 PM)

By the way Monica, where do you work? or maybe Jerry is Monica?

Jeffersonian (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:18 PM)

Debra
Why all the venom over Hillary? What has she done? I love to ask Hillary haters why they dislike her. Typically, they can't put their finger on it. She has done more for this country than anyone else running. Do your research. I think most Christian, right-wing, repressed women have a hard time with her because she should be told to "shut up, put your apron back on, and stay in the kitchen." A female could do some great house-cleaning in Washington. Think about it.

Marti, Dallas, Texas (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:18 PM)

We all heard the Democrats plan for public education -- teach 8-year-olds how to be poofs.

Cindy, New York, NY (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:20 PM)

go girl go girl hillary clinton is the best candidate for the job and she deserves it too . obama,,what a name must be a muslim terriost.

greg coltrane (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:21 PM)

Jerry's comments are clearly being made for one reason and one reason only - he's lonely. He needs attention. So he spends all day with one hand on his computer and the other on his ...oh no, there goes lunch!

Pat, Huntington, NY (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:24 PM)

If you want government to control everything you do and don't mind being taxed to starvation, then Billary is your man. Name one thing the government runs that is streamlined and effective. With Hillary your taxes will have to up to fund all her programs. You can't save everyone.

Keven Nelson, Nampa, Id (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:27 PM)

Hey Jerry, you must be one of the most ignorant Bush's unemployed and stupid nothing to do supporter except making comments w/out any logic. Why don't take your folly behavior and take a hike somewhere in Iraq where your co-state Bush war where he spends almost a trillion for his stupid war. If you have nothing to do, I'll send a one way ticket to Cuba. You sh-thead..

rbnavarro, stockton ca (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:28 PM)

go girl go girl hillary clinton is the best candidate for the job and she deserves it too . obama,,what a name must be a muslim terriost.

greg coltrane (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:21 PM)

What kind of moderator lets this kind of inflammatory RACIST crap get posted?
MSNBC should be ashamed, we all know that the piss-poor excuse for a human being who posted this garbage won't be.

Van

vanreuter, NY NY (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:29 PM)

I don't like Unions and don't believe that they still serve a purpose if oversight is correctly monitored for business. Why can an employee be required to join a group of people to negotiate in a country with a free market? Makes no sense. And I'm a big time Demo.

Unions=bad New Jersey (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:29 PM)

That exlpains why Jerry is on all posting, he works for the government!

Larry, Albuquerque (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:54 PM)

School vouchers, if only given to schools with certified teachers for every class, creates competition for teachers and raises their benefits and pay. Why can't the teachers union see this or is something else on their agenda such as control?

michael taylor (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:54 PM)

I was just about to say the same thing Van. What's with the racist comments being allowed to be posted. Moderator, do your job.

Stopwatchingfoxnews, Rochester, NY (Sent Wednesday, October 03, 2007 2:57 PM)

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