Teachers union aiding Hillary in PA

Posted: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:22 PM by Mark Murray

From NBC's Mark Murray
Earlier today, we noted that Obama -- as of last week -- is outspending Clinton 5-to-1 in TV advertising in upcoming primary states.

But pro-Clinton outside groups like the American Federation of Teachers are trying to close gap. The AFT is up with a new 60-second radio ad in Pennsylvania, which began airing yesterday, that features testimonials from Keystone State voters.

"Hillary can take on John McCain," says one.

"Hillary has the solutions to solve very complex problems," says another.

"When she gets knocked down, she gets up..."

"We need a fighter in the Oval Office."

The size of the buy is $325,000, bringing AFT's total spending on behalf of Clinton to $2 million.

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Comments

Just in the nick of time, somebody wasn't going to be paid for those ads if left the the Clinton campaign.

T (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:30 PM)

"But pro-Clinton outside groups like the American Federation of Teachers are trying to close gap."
--The amount that we spend on politics is seemingly ridiculous. So, when our teachers decide to match that ... Me thinks (jokingly, of course) that their salaries may be a bit too high?

Nicholas: Minnesota (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:30 PM)

I thought it was illegal for outside groups to run anything other than "issue" ads. Now it doesn't take a genius to make an issue ad that supports one candidate over another, but when you start including names, it clearly isn't an issue ad anymore.

Does anyone remember what campaign finance laws say?

Paul Miller, Woodbridge, VA (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:32 PM)

Teachers are getting laid off in California
Due to severe budget cut backs

Imagine, educated teachers having their union dues squandered on THAT NONSENSE !

Don't worry about supporting fellow educators...
Let's help Billary Clinton !!

Ain't life great ??

Sierra, SF (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:33 PM)

Who would oppose a bill that said you couldn't kill a baby who was born? Not Kennedy, Boxer or Hillary Rodham Clinton. Not even the hard-core National Abortion Rights Action League (NARAL). Obama, however, is another story. The year after the Born Alive Infants Protection Act became federal law in 2002, identical language was considered in a committee of the Illinois Senate. It was defeated with the committee's chairman, Obama, leading the opposition.

Let's be clear about what Obama did, once in 2003 and twice before that. He effectively voted for infanticide. He voted to allow doctors to deny medically appropriate treatment or, worse yet, actively kill a completely delivered living baby. Infanticide - I wonder if he'll add this to the list of changes in his next victory speech and if the crowd will roar: "Yes, we can."

John Doe (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:34 PM)

John Doe (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:35 PM)

Reminds me of an old saying. "Those who can do. Those who can't teach. Those who can't teach, teach gym."
Just how many gym teachers does Hillary have lined up?

Bill,Rochester,NY (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:36 PM)

The teachers union can goto hell. the MEMBERS know exactly what bill and his friends did to them during the NAFTA fight! the members need to tell the LEADERSHIP to cut it out!

Brett, Pittsburgh (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:37 PM)

That is good they are able to help her out with her money deficit although their ads appear uninspiring.

I am not a big fan of the teachers union as I find they protect teachers who shouldn't be in the job anymore and sometimes put their needs ahead of the students. But in general I am from a union family (my dad was IBEW and his whole family and my husband's part-time EMS job is SEIU) and so I can appreciate them being part of the political process.

Not sure she is better on education than Obama though...

Obama 08

Lisa, New Britain, CT CT for Obama (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:38 PM)

WOW!!!! Teachers have money like that!?! To spend in a primary!?!? Ummm... my donations to teachers' causes stops TODAY.

DARVIN WILLIAMS, MIAMI, FL (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:41 PM)

I wonder whether the racial imagery of a white Rocky beating a black Apollo Creed is accidential or intentional? I guess the Geraldine Ferraro comments and the Governor Rendell comments are also not appeals to racial bias.

This is why minorities should not just assume that Democrats are the party that will be best represent their interests. McCain is managing to criticize Obama without making references to race and racial imagery. Remember, Lincoln was a Republican.

John, Los Angeles (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:42 PM)

Hahahahahah!!

Solve complex problems like paying her bills and balancing her campaign budget?

Or do they mean like dodging sniper fire and listening to a poem by an eight year old at the same time?

Or maybe they are talking about her unique ability to "misspeak" so many times without blinking an eye.

Whatever.

Another day another LIE regarding HRC.

No surprise.

MORE DELEGATES.
MORE STATES.
MORE POPULAR VOTE.

Obama 08

Jessica (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:42 PM)

First Read: shouldn't EVERY story that talks about Obama outspending Clinton note that he's doing it because over 1,000,000 Americans have donated to his campaign? I'm sick of the Wolfson spin about "oh, they're outspending us...we're just the little engine that could." He's outspending her because he's outmanaged her, out-campaigned her, and out-raised her despite starting $100 million behind her because she took lobbyist money and he didn't.

ME, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:47 PM)

And THESE are the people teaching your children?? You'd think they'd be smarter than this....she can't win, so why throw money at her? I'm very disappointed in the teachers!

Diane from Illinois (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:48 PM)

Hillary is the ONLY ONE who can beat the repubs at their own game. This is what the Clintons do best and this is why Bill Clinton won. Now the left wing of our party is choosing a candidate we barely know AND who is now quite vulnerable to huge attacks. Way to go dems. As a dem, I will NOT be voting this November.

j fl (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:50 PM)

Thanks to all these Teachers. Obama says he doesnt want his girls to be punished with a child but we know what a job you are all doing. You are the heart of our country . Shapeing our childrens mind,imagination and problem solving they will use all there lives. Thank you for your service and for the help for Hillary!!proud of our teachers and proud of Hillary. On ward to you all.

jane-pa. (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:50 PM)

I'm a teacher and I support Barack Obama. Hillary may be able to take on John McCain but she can't BEAT John McCain. Solutions to complex problems? What did her husband ever do for teachers or education in general? I guess they had bigger things to worry about what w/ Hillary doing combat missions in Bosnia.

She may get up and she may fight but she's done nothing for Democrats in her life E.V.E.R. Never! All that experience and yet Democrats lost seats in Congress during Bill's terms, lost the presidency once he left, and will lose seats in '08 if Hillary's at the top of the ticket.

I'm sure glad the Pennsylvania AFT doesn't speak for me. Just curious, you'd have to question its power if the Pennsylvania AFT was for Bill during the 90's and NOTHING WAS DONE FOR TEACHERS OR EDUCATION...PERIOD!

chuck, richmond, tx (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:54 PM)

The AFT came out with their endorsement of Hillary Clinton on October 3, 2007,----much too early. Even with the percentage of female teachers at a historic high of something like 80%, I would be very surprised if there hasn't been a very dramatic changeover since those early times of the campaign, as there has been with all college educated women.

Michael Steuer, Bedford, NY (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:55 PM)

Teachers are smart. They see through Obama. Once you get past the speeches what do you have??? Not much. More questions than answers as far as Obama is concerned. Hillary understands the middle class
and would make a wonderful president.

Hillraiser in TN (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:57 PM)

Well, sure, she's a fighter, but when has she ever fought for teachers?

Former teacher and AFT member for Obama 08

Amy Andersen, Eden Prairie, MN (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 2:58 PM)

I would be mighty upset as a union member in any union to find that my dues were being used to place advertisements for rivals in primary contests.

Is it really uniquely in the interests of PA teachers for Clinton to beat Obama there?

John, Morgan Hill, California (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:00 PM)

Leave it to a bunch of school teachers who don't have a clue what is going on."Hill can solve complex problems"PLEASE,Couldn't solve healthcare,couldn't keep slick willie busy,can't keep her campaign funded,can't control her supporters,approvel rate in the 30's,behind in all counts in election,so much for problem solving.School boys we don't need a fighter in WH,we've had that from a kindegarten minded bush &chaney and we can all see how that worked out

jesse St.Paul Minnesota (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:03 PM)

So the teacher's union is spending money on getting Hillary elected? Its nice to see that people trust the Teacher's Union more than the Clinton Campaign with their money.

Lets keep it Clean!

Go Barack!

Tim, Reading, Pa (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:04 PM)

Thanks to John Doe for getting us the real news. You wont see it hear on msnbc

kevin (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:05 PM)

And THESE are the people teaching your children??
XXXXXXXXX
Diane from IL: Yes, these are the people teaching. But, do you really want Barry Obama leading your children when he thinks it's ok for 13 yr old girls to have an abortion without parental consent yet he'd yell and scream if those teachers gave them an aspirin without parental consent.

unborn children against Obama (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:13 PM)

I find it bothersome that teachers would support Hillary and her flaws. Telling lies, lack of fair play (thinking counting the Michigan votes as they stand are fair), doing ANYTHING to win, wanting to change the rules as she goes along for her benefit. Thank God I no longer have a child in school. And if my voting for a school levy supports this nonsense...I'll no longer vote for another school levy and will get that word out.

nancy vermilion ohio (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:18 PM)

i'm just wondering why the teachers' union would spend the hard-earned dues of thousands of teachers on a dying cause. don't they have better things to spend this money on? do they think that the clinton campaign will reimburse them when this is over? we have a lot of underpaid teachers, tons of students and schools needing school supplies. can't this union allocate their funds to these more needy and much more worthy cause? the clinton campaign is temporal and she will not give a hoot when this is all over.

$2 million is a LOT of money and if randi weingarten thinks this will be a money well-spent, then i'd implore the teacher members to wake up and vote her out! this is a terrible shame!

only the truth (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:19 PM)

The reason teachers are doing this is because Clinton promises to raise teacher benefit payments, if I remember correctly when I read why the teachers' union in Nevada decided to sue the state because of the special caucus locations aong the Strip in Las Vegas. That is not because the teachers understand Hillary will win, but because they care more about their own salaries and benefits than the general well being of thenation. Many large labor unions are smrt enough to know Obama is the right choice for working Americans.

Jerry S. Oakland, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:20 PM)

I am a union man, always have been. I was also the president of a local union and my wife is a teacher.

In no way, do my wife and I accept the teachers union endorsing Senator Clinton. We both disagree with the union members money being spent in such a way. There was no vote of the entire union body to authorize such an expenditure.

When I talk about what is wrong with the labor laws, this is the very first thing I bring up. Congress has got to change the law that allows these types of expenditures without a union membership vote.

john, milwaukee, wi (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:24 PM)

We have a "fighter" in the Oval Office and look where that has gotten us. We need a president who can work with others or nothing will ever get through Congress!

If you must fight something, Sen. Clinton, fight the urge to take this race all the way to the Democratic Convention.

Gail, TN (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:26 PM)

I am a NY member of the AFT and disgusted that teacher dues would go towards an ad supporting Hillary Clinton. It's bad enough they endorse her! When I think of increased class size, low reading and math scores, etc. I am baffled at why they would think this is an appropriate use of funds. I wouldn't want them putting an ad out for Obama either-just stick to the students, please! On top of the money issue, Hillary represents the character traits I discourage in all my students-she is dishonest,insincere, and selfish. Hope your readers realize that not all teachers support Hillary or ridiculous spending!

Ann Buffalo, NY (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:32 PM)

Come on women. Men are trying to do it again. Always trying to push women out thinking they are inferior. Support Hillary and show these men how strong we are and we much more capable of handling crisis.
What does Obama have? All talk and nothing to show for. You go Hillary....

Nisha, LA ,CA (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:33 PM)

THANKS JOHN DOE!!!!!

curious readers for other "real news" may want to check these articles out...

http://www.newsweek.com/id/129976

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/01/opinion/01muscatine.html?_r=2&ref=opinion&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/stumper/archive/2008/03/26/obama-plays-the-passive-delegate-poaching-game-too.aspx

Suzy, san francisco (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:36 PM)

Isn't it comforting to know that the teachers union can't do simple mathematics?

Seth (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:37 PM)

As a teacher who pays a representation fee rather than the full union dues, this move by the AFT validates my thinking...

Futhermore, for my peers to promote broad claims as evidence as to how Hillary intends to enhance our education system is disappointing to say the least. Do yourselves a favor and understand not just the rhetoric, but the vehicle to realize it - http://www.barackobama.com/issues/education/

Eric Vogel, New Market, Maryland (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:37 PM)

just like nafta gets millions of americans dander up, so do those misguided teachers unions. are we surprised by this endorsement? the quality of education continues to go downhill in this country, but property taxes across the country continue to rise, to pay for this inferior education. and most of this is because of these corrupt teachers unions. the only union i can think of that may be as corrupt is the baseball players union, but at least their hands aren't in the taxpayers pockets.they're in the pockets of the baseball fan. so hillary and corrupt unions that's a marriage made in hell. Donald Fehr is probably a hillary superdelagate.

ron grossmann, chicago,il (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:40 PM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
On average we spend nearly $9,000 to send a child thru the public school system and in the end more often then not we end up with a faulty finished product. Go figure.

twocanpete (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:44 PM)

it is curious that as teachers , the AFT would support hillary clinton whhas shown herself to be a person that believes (1)you don't have to obey rules if they are not in your best interest; (2) you don't have to tell the truth if if does not serve you well ; (3) it's alright to fight dirty ,as long as you gain the reputation of being a fighter , (4) and it's OK to be a sore loser because you feel sorry for yourself.
this is the lesson you are teaching the american students , especially the young ladies to whom the internet is taking your message to every day.
STOP THE MADNESS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RAY C.
CHICAGO

ray c. , chicago , il (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:53 PM)

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