Teachers union's Clinton mailer

Posted: Friday, December 28, 2007 2:03 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC’s Chuck Todd and Domenico Montanaro

The American Federation of Teachers has hit Iowa with a mailer for Hillary Clinton. It reads, “As teachers, we know when someone is prepared. The American Federation of Teacher knows: Hillary Clinton is prepared to deliver change.”

The mailer then cites her endorsement of the Des Moines Register and adds, “All of the candidates want change. The question is: Who has the right combination of skills, experience and determination to make change happen? Whether it’s education, health care or the economy, Hillary
Clinton is best prepared to take on the challenges we face -- and she’s ready to lead from Day One.
That’s why she is supported by the 1.4-million-member American Federation of Teachers.”

It closes with this: “Hillary is prepared to bring real change. Caucus for Hillary on January 3rd.”

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Comments

Another union Hillary has managed to shmooze. Don't they see she just tells everyone what they want to hear?

jds (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:16 PM)

On the contrary, obviously THESE teachers want more of the same.

POLpursun (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:18 PM)

She's the best prepared to do the same ole same ole.

We need someone who can take us to the next level. Barack Obama is ready to lead NOW and he will start working for the people before Day One. In fact, all candidates would be ready to lead on Day One. That's not a very impressive thing, its what's expected. So way to meet the minimum expectations HRC...

Who's ready to be underwhelmed with HRC?

Obama '08 - A CHANGE in leadership from "Day One"

Ron, IN (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:20 PM)

How dare Obama demand merit pay for teachers?

The Teachers Union reek of the fear of losing power.

Our schools have failed us. This has left America falling further and further behind the rest of the world.

Time for change.

Adam , Pittsburgh, PA (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:23 PM)

She may know what needs to be changed, but are people willing to vote her into office? Should she get there, can she work with all those in Congress to get what needs to be done accomplished? There are a lot of questions and maybes in there. Do I think it could happen? I doubt it because there are too many negatives that I have hear that cause some concern.

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:23 PM)

Another reason to vote AGAINST Shillary

CintiKid Cinti Ohio (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:24 PM)

Will Obama complain about this outside influence?

Why doesn't Obama have any large block of unions support like Clinton? Or Edwards?

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:26 PM)

I always thought teachers were supposed to be smart. But I guess that's why our educational system is failing so badly right now... they have a history of making bad choices.

Ron, TX (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:32 PM)

IF I WAS A PARENT IN IOWA I WOULDN'T LET MY CHILDREN NEAR A UNION TEACHER. ONLY AN UNEDUCATED IDIOT WOULD SUPPORT HILLARY.

DAVID ANDERS PHARR, TX. (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:35 PM)

The teachers union knows a raise when they see one. Hillary will throw more money at the teachers, boost their lavish retirement benefits, and give them what they want the most, that is, no choice of schools to the american public.

Devin Edgar, Birmingham AL (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:36 PM)

Jerry, Sierra, Bee - you've attacked everyone who has ever supported Hillary Clinton on bases that they're useless and it was already widely known that they would have supported her anyway. So, answer me this, is this just another useless group of Clinton lovers? Oh wait, of course theyre hacks... they teach people in school, that has nothing to do with intelligence or integrity.

Travis, Louisville, Ky. (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:41 PM)

It closes with this: “Hillary is prepared to bring real change. Caucus for Hillary on January 3rd.”

No Way Man!!!!

BIGOLDTEXAN (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 2:51 PM)

Wow, I almost took a job with the AFT...glad I didn't!

Kathryn in Bham (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 3:21 PM)

Thank God for teachers and Hillary Clinton. I learned in third grade--you can't fool teachers. Along with military, police, firefighters--teachers are the smartest, most important yet most underpaid members of our society. As a Texan (white male)--I totally trust the judgment of Iowa teachers in their endorsement of Ms. Clinton. She will make a fine Commander-in-Chief. I'm anxious to cast my vote in November for the toughest, brightest of all the candidates--Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Del, Austin TX (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 3:37 PM)

Just b/c the reps endorse a candidate, doesn't mean that the teachers themselves will vote for him/her.

She voted for No Child Left Behind...end of story.

RobK, Seattle, Wash. (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 3:40 PM)

Yawn....

FL (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 3:46 PM)

The Obamamaniacs are in fullblown crybaby mode as they watch the mythical Barack Obama shatter like glass and fade to third.

Barry Obama isn't Presidential stock. Not yet. The Iowa voters see that. He isn't a myth. He isn't a rock star. He is a too slick by half pol from the southside of Chicago.

Barry Obama didn't fool the teachers or any of the other national unions he courted into endorsing him. They saw the real pol, not the myth.

Dickie Flatts, Charlotte, NC (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 3:46 PM)

the obamaites and "shrilliary",, guess it's Osama,not Obama.
And he's muslim,too

see the problem barakites? you name call you get it back at you, and the effete muslim barak osama is an easy target.

you started it, now you gonna whine?

Tuck,Realityville, KS (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 3:54 PM)

LOL...Dickie Flatts, you are so right on! I predicted last week that Obama will finish third in Iowa and it sure looks that way now. Obama is all style and no substance. Even the constant media gushing can't save BO and in fact it probably hurts him. Note to CHRIS MATTHEWS: Media spoon fed candidates always fall like a house of cards.

Rob, Phoenix, AZ (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 4:14 PM)

David Anders, All public schools have teachers unions. Where do you send your kids to school? Private school? I doubt it. Home school? Heaven help them

just asking (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 4:25 PM)

I am a retired teacher in 4 different states and the only union techers i knew couldn't teach. Hillar'ys campaign is a former Union Buster.

DAVID ANDERS PHARR,TX. (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 4:46 PM)

Most important issues on education happen on a state and local level. Do you go to school board meetings David Anders of Phar-out texas?
If not you are part of the problem. Point fingers at the failings in our educational system and then look at all the success.
Sounds like you want to blame just about anybody in you diatribes while making yourself out as a true blue american, it doesn't wash, get a new soapbox!
It is interesting to see who all the unions are going
for, Clinton looks the strongest of the candidates to them. Edwards populism is not resonating with them and Obama is just all cotton candy and promises that treat us as little children. He will with the help of corporations and industry keep us safe. No thanks, I don't trust them to do anything good for me or my country, go back to school Barak, and take your shrill supporters with you, they need a class in etiquette.

John Alexander,Edinboro,PA (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 5:09 PM)

Thank you teachers union. As long as you and AFCSME and others representing public employees unions continue to get behind Clinton, you make Obama more attractive to the 90% of the country who don't support your beliefs in permanent job entitlement.

Obama calls for merit pay for excellent teachers, and this educators' union endorses his prime opponent. Excellent. It only helps underscore the difference between these two candidates; one is the candidate of business as usual, so the union supports her. The other is for rethinking and restructuring the status quo, which makes them afraid of him. He literally couldn't have ASKED for a better endorsement of his position.

Sean, Seattle (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 5:35 PM)

"I'm anxious to cast my vote in November for the toughest, brightest of all the candidates--Hillary Rodham Clinton."

You'll need to do it as a write-in. Make sure to spell her name correctly. . . . I-A-M-A-F-A-K-E.

Mel, Fargo ND (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 5:54 PM)

It is incredible that so many rightwing nuts attack unions,especially teachers unions. They really show their stupidity because not only do teachers have two large unions, policemen, firemen, doctors, nurses, ad infinitum have unions, all of them know their importance and most would never work for any group that isn't union affiliated. Unions evolved because there were too many bosses that thought and mouthed off without thinking just like: Dickie Flats,Ron/Texas,David Pharr,who truly are great examples of poor examples.They probably are dropouts caused by a one dimensional thought process,a definite lack of common sense and too lazy (or unwilling) to seek out truth before they opened their mouth.Thirty-six years of teaching forced me to have to put up with too many idiots such as the above.Fortunately, the majority of parents were supportive, cooperative,compassionate and were well aware of the fact they could not handle one day in a classroom in any grade.
Little Davy Pharr, if you were a "teacher in 4 different states" go back to your blog and count the mistakes. No wonder you taught in "4" states, got kicked out of the first three because of your English skills?

A.Brocco,Albuquerque,NM (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 6:03 PM)

I am a teacher and believe me this union endorsement carries no weight with me. In fact, I don't think teacher unions have any business endorsing a candidate.

Marcel, Fremont, CA (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 6:24 PM)

A.Brocco - "Thirty-six years of teaching forced me to have to put up with too many idiots such as the above."

You talking about your students, or your peers? Either way, it looks like we all can be thankful you're out of the profession. We certainly need less idiots in our ranks of teachers.

Mark Franks, San Diego, CA (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 7:41 PM)

Del --> I learned in third grade--you can't fool teachers.

Well, maybe you can't Del, but it doesn't look like you could fool anyone.

Snel, Dallas TX (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 7:53 PM)

Marcel/Fremont
Think,Marcel. Who would you rather have endorsing your candidate, the NEA, the AFT or Chuck Norris? Not all teacher's will vote for HRC but those that do might make her the winner. By the way, I am a retired teacher and do not intend to vote for HRC. The important thing is that you shouldn't rely on endorsements, just do your civic duty and VOTE, and, take at least one other person to the polling place with you.

A.Brocco,Albuquerque,NM (Sent Friday, December 28, 2007 8:34 PM)

Hillary has worked hard over her lifetime on the very issue of EDUCATION. She is the best candidate running for President today. I am glad to know that the Teacher's Union is supporting her this way.

Gabriella (a teacher) (Sent Sunday, December 30, 2007 9:55 PM)

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