McCain Praises Obama At NAACP Convention
John McCain told the NAACP and some skeptical black voters Wednesday that he will expand education opportunities, partly through vouchers for low-income children to attend private school.
The likely Republican presidential nominee addressed the annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the nation's oldest civil rights organization.
In greeting the group, McCain praised Democrat Barack Obama's historic campaign, but said the Illinois senator is wrong to oppose school vouchers for students in failing public schools. It is time, McCain said, to use vouchers and other tools like merit pay for teachers to break from conventional thinking on educational policy.
Obama, he said, has dismissed support for private school vouchers for low-income Americans.
"All of that went over well with the teachers union, but where does it leave families and their children who are stuck in failing schools?" the Arizona senator asked. "No entrenched bureaucracy or union should deny parents that choice and children that opportunity."
The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program is the first federally funded school voucher program in the country, giving scholarships of up to $7,500 to about 2,000 low-income students in Washington, D.C, reports CBS News' John Bentley. The $18 million program is likely to be cut after its initial five-year funding expires next year.
McCain has proposed expanding it, upping the budget to at least $20 million and adding nearly a thousand more families.
"After decades of hearing the same big promises from the public education establishment, and seeing the same poor results, it is surely time to shake off old ways and to demand new reforms," McCain said. "That isn't just my opinion; it is the conviction of parents in poor neighborhoods across this nation who want better lives for their children."
McCain received mostly polite applause in a room with some empty seats, two days after Obama received a thunderous reception from a standing-room only audience hoping to see him become the first black president of the United States.
Obama spoke to the NAACP on Monday, saying he would push the government to provide more education and economic assistance, but he also drew big cheers when he urged blacks to demand more of themselves.
"Whatever the outcome in November," McCain told the crowd Wednesday, "Sen. Obama has achieved a great thing, for himself and for his country, and I thank him for it. ... Don't tell him I said this, but he is an impressive fellow in many ways."
During a question-and-answer session, McCain also sought to assuage a frustrated Head Start teacher who complained that her salary from the federal program simply isn't enough.
The woman, wearing a union T-shirt, said she was making $17,000 a year and cannot afford housing, gas, food, or health care for her children. "We cannot continue this way," she said.
McCain said the point of his education platform was to boost pay for "a great and outstanding teacher like you" and other educators who are passionate about their work.
"I want to reward good teachers," said McCain.
McCain said vouchers and merit pay for teachers whose students perform well are two important ways to help kids in failing schools.
"After decades of hearing the same big promises from the public education establishment, and seeing the same poor results, it is surely time to shake off old ways and to demand new reforms," he said. "That isn't just my opinion. It is the conviction of parents in poor neighborhoods across this nation who want better lives for their children."
Both the merit pay and voucher proposals have met stiff opposition from teachers unions. Obama has indicated he would support some kind of merit pay system for teachers, if teachers help craft it.
© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report. The likely Republican presidential nominee addressed the annual convention of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the nation's oldest civil rights organization.
In greeting the group, McCain praised Democrat Barack Obama's historic campaign, but said the Illinois senator is wrong to oppose school vouchers for students in failing public schools. It is time, McCain said, to use vouchers and other tools like merit pay for teachers to break from conventional thinking on educational policy.
Obama, he said, has dismissed support for private school vouchers for low-income Americans.
"All of that went over well with the teachers union, but where does it leave families and their children who are stuck in failing schools?" the Arizona senator asked. "No entrenched bureaucracy or union should deny parents that choice and children that opportunity."
The D.C. Opportunity Scholarship program is the first federally funded school voucher program in the country, giving scholarships of up to $7,500 to about 2,000 low-income students in Washington, D.C, reports CBS News' John Bentley. The $18 million program is likely to be cut after its initial five-year funding expires next year.
McCain has proposed expanding it, upping the budget to at least $20 million and adding nearly a thousand more families.
"After decades of hearing the same big promises from the public education establishment, and seeing the same poor results, it is surely time to shake off old ways and to demand new reforms," McCain said. "That isn't just my opinion; it is the conviction of parents in poor neighborhoods across this nation who want better lives for their children."
McCain received mostly polite applause in a room with some empty seats, two days after Obama received a thunderous reception from a standing-room only audience hoping to see him become the first black president of the United States.
Obama spoke to the NAACP on Monday, saying he would push the government to provide more education and economic assistance, but he also drew big cheers when he urged blacks to demand more of themselves.
"Whatever the outcome in November," McCain told the crowd Wednesday, "Sen. Obama has achieved a great thing, for himself and for his country, and I thank him for it. ... Don't tell him I said this, but he is an impressive fellow in many ways."
During a question-and-answer session, McCain also sought to assuage a frustrated Head Start teacher who complained that her salary from the federal program simply isn't enough.
The woman, wearing a union T-shirt, said she was making $17,000 a year and cannot afford housing, gas, food, or health care for her children. "We cannot continue this way," she said.
McCain said the point of his education platform was to boost pay for "a great and outstanding teacher like you" and other educators who are passionate about their work.
"I want to reward good teachers," said McCain.
McCain said vouchers and merit pay for teachers whose students perform well are two important ways to help kids in failing schools.
"After decades of hearing the same big promises from the public education establishment, and seeing the same poor results, it is surely time to shake off old ways and to demand new reforms," he said. "That isn't just my opinion. It is the conviction of parents in poor neighborhoods across this nation who want better lives for their children."
Both the merit pay and voucher proposals have met stiff opposition from teachers unions. Obama has indicated he would support some kind of merit pay system for teachers, if teachers help craft it.
Popular in Politics
- Officials on Benghazi: "We made mistakes, but without malice" 438 Comments
- IRS' Lerner: "I have not done anything wrong" 299 Comments
- Anthony Weiner comeback try begins: Running for NYC mayor 111 Comments
- Major immigration overhaul passes first big test 69 Comments
- Will tornado relief funding escape politics?
- Christie: Keep politics out of Oklahoma disaster relief
- Top IRS official to invoke 5th Amendment at congressional testimony 215 Comments
- Va. GOP candidate won't apologize for comments on abortion, gays
The popular support for McCain''s school voucher goals comes from many "average" Americans who will only be able to afford schools that accept the governments minimum "voucher" amount. It may be $5,000 of $7,500. Whatever it is, 95% of McCains "middle class" supporters will have to find a school that takes the minimum "voucher" amount. You will not be able to pay the $5,000 to $10,000 a year MORE that the "Good" schools charge. So the "Good" schools will get the best teachers and the RICH KIDS. Your kids will get what is left
The very people who worry about their kids being exposed to "other people" from "different social groups" will see their kids get worse and worse educations under the voucher system McCain wants. But hey- at least they won''t have to "mix" with those "other people". Except they WILL, because the "voucher schools" will be exactly where those "other people are. Talk about karma.
We can''t ignore the underlying ignorance and bigotry of people who worry about their kids "mixing" with the "other kids" (they mean blacks, Hispanic, etc.). But even given the backward ignorance of these half-wits, they will still bemoan the day their kids attend a "voucher school". That is they will if they notice their kids are learning nothing.
Education isn''''t the only thing that goes on in schools and reality dictates we recognize that. Socialization occurs at bowling alleys; so why expect differently of schools. The real problem is the lack of local participation, making control frightful.
Posted by ApprxAm
-------------------
While I certainly agree that the problem with schools ain''t the schools = the problem is more parents than schools. Not the least of which is insisting that schools be high priced baby sitters.
But what are we accepting (not to mention what we''re teaching our kids) when we put schools on the same level as bowling alleys?
McBush keeps pushing school vouchers so that his rich friends will get a nice subsidy for their $20k/year schools, while the rest of us are left with schools that will accept the minimum "voucher amount".
You think those of us that are NOT rich will have ANY CHOICE in schools? Of course not. Schools that charge more than normal Americans can afford will get the best teachers and the rich kids. The rest of us will be left with 3rd rate schools that will accept the "voucher amount".
Mark my words: if vouchers become the way of this country, then in 10 years "voucher schools" will be become a well known term used to define schools that under perform and are nothing more than factories turning out cheap labor for McBush and his corporate friends.
Of course THAT is the term strategy of "Vouchers". The McCain Class (VERY VERY RICH and CONNECTED) want to ensure there is a LARGE POOL OF CHEAP UNDEREDUCATED LABOR to work in their factories and for their franchises. How best to ensure there is such a large pool of cheap labor? Make sure there are a lot of undereducated people- the NEW UNDERCLASS. How do you do that? Destroy any educational opportunity for average Americans.
If you are an ordinary American, then WAKE THE HELL UP. McCain and his $75,000/month credit card wife are WORKING FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR RICH FRIENDS. They do not give the slightest d*nm about you.
Bush uses executive privilege to protect Mukasey from Plamegate subpoena
By Amy Weiss
President Bush asserted executive privilege Tuesday to prevent Attorney General Michael Mukasey from providing transcripts of FBI interviews with Vice President Cheney and other documents pertaining to the leak of CIA Agent Valerie Plame''s identity.
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA), Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, had a vote scheduled for Wednesday to hold Mukasey in contempt for refusing to comply with the Committee''s subpoena. The Committee initially requested the FBI interviews of both President Bush and Vice President Cheney but then requested only Cheney''s as Waxman said it could not fall under executive privilege.
Relate Story:
Bush welcomes probe of CIA leak
''''I want to know the truth,'''' president tells reporters
*Wednesday, February 11, 2004
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush said Tuesday he welcomes a Justice Department investigation into who revealed the classified identity of a CIA operative.
(cont)
"If there''''s a leak out of my administration, I want to know who it is," Bush told reporters at an impromptu news conference during a fund-raising stop in Chicago, Illinois. "If the person has violated law, that person will be taken care of.
"I welcome the investigation. I am absolutely confident the Justice Department will do a good job.
"I want to know the truth," the president continued. "Leaks of classified information are bad things."
He added that he did not know of "anybody in my administration who leaked classified information."
Bush said he has told his administration to cooperate fully with the investigation and asked anyone with knowledge of the case to come forward.
Four more years??
Education isn''t the only thing that goes on in schools and reality dictates we recognize that. Socialization occurs at bowling alleys; so why expect differently of schools. The real problem is the lack of local participation, making control frightful.
I really hate to be the one to tell you this, but our tax dollars already do partially fund private, charter and alternative schools; most especially for "disadvantaged" kids, which I won''t even go into how little you understand about why a parent would even choose to use a voucher based on that phrase. Every single kid in an intercity, overcrowded public school is "disadvantaged".
And yes, I do think that if a public school had a fantasy mass exodus causing them to lose $5 million dollars would have a positive impact. Smaller schools, fewer gas hog busses, smaller class sizes, and sure, fewer teachers. Those teachers can go work in private schools, where they are actually paid what they are worth.
Anyway
http://www.newamerica.net/blog/ed-money-watch/2008/does-pope-know-about-federal-funding-private-schools-3325