Pawlenty Uses Fenty's Defeat To Take The Hammer To Teachers Unions

Using a local hook to show off his conservative bonafides, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty offered a searing criticism of teachers unions on Wednesday morning for helping defeat Washington D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty in last night's primary.

"Public schools are failing too many children across the country, but arguably nowhere worse than in our nation's capital," Pawlenty's statement read. "Using education reforms similar to what I've fought for in Minnesota, Mayor Fenty and his chancellor of schools, Michelle Rhee, began to turn their schools around, dramatically improving test scores in the last few years. Their work is an inspiration to me and school reformers across the nation."

"Mayor Fenty lost after the teachers' unions led a campaign against him and Michelle Rhee. Fenty's loss is further evidence that despite all their rhetoric about 'the children,' what the teachers' unions really care about is getting more money for jobs they can't lose at schools that produce students who are not prepared to compete.

"While the primary's result is disappointing for school reformers, the positive early results from the Fenty-Rhee reforms will continue to undermine the teachers' unions' false arguments against reform everywhere."

A likely presidential candidate in 2012, Pawlenty has proven to be quite adept at finding the epicenter of the spotlight of hot-button policy debates.

His executive order forbidding Minnesota from applying for certain portions of federal health care funds was hailed as a politically crafty if not legislatively irresponsible sop to the base. His attack on teacher unions -- which were backed with money and manpower Fenty's challenger, Vincent Gray -- will, likewise, sit well with the growing number of voters (Republicans and Democrats alike) who view those unions as the main source of ill for the nation's education system.

Comments

[DeniseG]

09:44 AM on 09/21/2010

When I was watching Oprah yesterday and the introduction of the new documentary, Waiting for Superman, it occurred to me that somehow we have forgotten how, decades ago, it was the teachers screaming for supplies and higher wages. Now all of the sudden it's the teacher's faults? Typical American convenient amnesia

[professor]

12:05 PM on 09/16/2010

"Get the bad teachers"! "Get the bad teachers"! That is the song they are all singing. Including the president. Why can't Johnny read? Everybody now! "Bad teachers"!!!!!

Newsflash. Go ahead. Get rid of every single one of the "bad teachers" (as if that were possible.) Johnny still won't be able to read.

The truth? (you know, as truth ever is, what no-one wants to hear?) there is nothing you can do about Johnny's illiteracy. Overwhelming societal and demographic forces beyond your control militate for it.

[JimInHouston]

11:37 PM on 09/16/2010

Then I guess you haven't read Harold Stevenson's studies.

[rebelriser]

10:30 AM on 09/16/2010

Due to "experience" with media's slant, I take these articles with a "grain of salt," meaning I reserve opinion until more information or that of entities whom I know I trust comes about. Of course I have enough brain power(experience) with Republican Administrations(Reagan,Bush & Bush\Cheney & their Trickle Down for the benefit of Corporations) to have already decided the Republicans can no longer be trusted to run government. But I know I do not have enough information concerning the DC situation to make a judgement. Of course, I know that establishment Republican Pawlenty is no different than the rest of Republicans now in office.

[dannywanny]

04:20 AM on 09/16/2010

Nothing like blaming the teachers for the failure of the public sector to support education. As teacher's salaries decline, education fails to attract new employees. Who wants to work in a poorly paid profession and be blamed for failure that is beyond your control? The GOP has systematically cut education funding for the last thirty years and has pledged to eliminate the department of education. Little wonder we now have dropped to ninth among industrialized nations in the share of its population that has at least a high school degree. This guy is just shifting blame, and his supporters just fall in line, while we become less and less competitive in a world market. Real smart.

[rebelriser]

10:36 AM on 09/16/2010

I agree. Republicans have cut & cut what they like to call "Social Programs" so deeply that most sectors of helping professions, police, education, fire fighters, more that I can not recall right now, regulators and administrators of these programs have had to cut back. Good example: banking and oil company regulators.

[laborgrunt]

02:00 AM on 09/28/2010

Both Republicans and Dems are in cahoots on the attacks on teachers unions.

[DC Democrat]

07:26 PM on 09/15/2010

I'm not a fan of Pawlenty, but he's at least partially right. The WTU may not have single-handedly led to Fenty's defeat, but the protect-the-jobs-of-ineffective-teachers-at-the-expense-of-children's-education shot is pretty much dead-on.

[professor]

12:11 PM on 09/16/2010

Yeah, yeah. The eternal fauxbourdon: "Get the bad teachers! Get the bad teachers." A mellifluous nostrum. All nostrums that are simple-minded and scapegoated are mellifluous. The nasty stuff is hard and technical. Try "national instead of local funding of public schools." But, but, but then there's nobody to blame! O, yeah. Except "gummint."

[SoutheastBeast]

05:29 PM on 09/15/2010

Teachers unions had little to do with Fenty's loss. Fenty hanged himself. He didn't need any help from special interest groups.

Note to Fenty: when you give 8 figure, no bid contracts to your unqualified buddies---and try to keep this a secret from the press and the City Council---don't expect to be re-elected.

[butterflywhisperer]

06:06 PM on 09/15/2010

Look at title of article and following Pawlenty comment: "Mayor Fenty lost after the teachers' unions led a campaign against him and Michelle Rhee. Fenty's loss is further evidence that despite all their rhetoric about 'the children,' what the teachers' unions really care about is getting more money for jobs they can't lose at schools that produce students who are not prepared to compete.
I agree with your comment but Fenty's fail also involves the union's campaign for Grey, against Fenty.

[SoutheastBeast]

07:45 PM on 09/15/2010

Butterfly,

I'm from DC. This race has been the talk of the town for months. I've never heard a single person mention the teacher's union as a factor in their vote for or against Fenty. And Fenty had far more money than Gray, so the notion that the WTU funded a smear campaign against Fenty is absurd. Pawlenty is simply trying to twist this result to pad his anti-union credentials. He is calculating that this will help him in his bid for the 2012 GOP nomination.

[cranky liberal909]

09:49 PM on 09/15/2010

I believe I read the article you are referring to. Most of the analysis focuses on how Fenty was arrogant and politically incompetent (and a bit corrupt). Very little has to do with the "evil teacher's union."

[butterflywhisperer]

05:02 PM on 09/15/2010

Pawlenty is railing against the democratic system of elections in America? Is it because unions exercised the power of their collective voices and helped fire an out of touch and arrogant mayor who alone decided he knew what was best for DC or because the power of the collective voices was predominantly black? Or was it because a fellow gentrification/reclamation politician (the reclaiming of political power, national treasury, land, jobs by elite whites for elites whites sometime aided and abetted by Fenty-like politicians) was struck down? This amazing use of collective, democratic power is what strikes fear into the heart of the GOP who can never rest until unions are destroyed. One of the only things standing between anarchy and democracy in America today is the collective democratic power of unions.

[jdfast]

06:51 PM on 09/15/2010

The only thing the teachers union in DC is attempting to do is save jobs of incompetent teachers. Its never been about the kids, its always been about the money as far as the unions and their leadership is concerned. Unions were a good thing once upon a time but now are a roadblock in the way of progress. Unions were formed for only one reason and that was protection of the workers from the man. And it continues today. Protect the incompetent to the detriment of the good hard working men and women in a union. That has always been the goal from day one. Don't even tell me the DC teachers union is concerned about the kids, its about protection incompetent teachers. Please spare me you utopian view of a union.

[cranky liberal909]

09:52 PM on 09/15/2010

Yeah, look at America today after we have busted all of those darned liberal, socialist, Muslim-loving, anti-American unions. We are on the way to becoming...a third world country!

Oops!

[professor]

12:15 PM on 09/16/2010

Yeah. Like "Just get the bad teachers and Johnny will be able to read" isn't a "utopian" view of education. Of course, Utopias are usually written by smart people, so I take it back.

[Bepragmatic]

04:50 PM on 09/15/2010

Vouchers! It’s time that the Democrats stop their opposition and support a voucher program that will guarantee improvement in our public schools. Vouchers will be given to the following students to go to a private school of their choice.

Students whose mothers smoked, drank, or used drugs while pregnant …….give them a voucher.
Students who have not been read books before kindergarten…… give them a voucher.
Students whose parents continue to miss parent/ teacher conferences….give them a voucher.
Students who are sent to the principal’s office more than once….give them a voucher.
Students whose behavior makes it difficult for a teacher to teach,……give them a voucher.
Students who are at Walmart with their parents instead of being a school …give them a voucher.
Students whose parents continue to make excuses for their child’s behavior and lack of responsibility…..give them a voucher.
Students who stay up late, and sleep at school…… give them a voucher…

.
What’s left….Successful public schools where students come to school prepared to learn. Where parents and students understand and are willing to handle the responsibilities that come with educating a child. A public school where teachers can actually teach!!

Columnists and presidents who think our educational problems are all about the teachers……give them a voucher.......... and one week standing in front of a classroom.

[SoutheastBeast]

05:30 PM on 09/15/2010

DC has a voucher program.

[Bert Juneau]

05:38 PM on 09/15/2010

I thought vouchers were declared unconstitutional?

[mauibob]

11:45 PM on 09/15/2010

Obama cancelled it. Buckled under to the masters at the teachers union.

[Bert Juneau]

05:38 PM on 09/15/2010

Vouchers are just a way for the government to pay for religion. What's destroyed the public school system is TENURE.

[Bepragmatic]

06:43 PM on 09/15/2010

If you want to make it more difficult for a teacher to get tenure, so be it. But if you take away tenure, local politics take over, parents who take no responsibility and blame teachers take over, and you have teachers who are too afraid to teach anything that might offend parents. Dinosaurs and people were on the earth at the same time during the 6000 year history of life.

[MsYellowDog]

04:08 PM on 09/15/2010

Generalize much,Mr. Pawlenty? Can't see how you could possibly know what's going on or not going on in DC schools,and nothing you could say will convince me that you are qualified to speak on this matter.

[angelrubes]

03:58 PM on 09/15/2010

I'm reposting:

The reason that Fenty lost the primary were multifocal. The issue with Fenty, the residents of DC, and the Teacher's Union was regarding Chancellor of the DC schools, Michelle Rhee. Rhee came in with a bang but made some decisions that caused the parents of DC's school children to wretch in anger. Rhee, without any notice walked into 250 classrooms, filled with students from elementary to high school, and handed out pink slips The students were left unattended, without teachers. The days that followed were a scramble to place these students into other classrooms, some in schools not their local district. Explanation to parents, teachers, and local leaders, "Budget Cuts." Two months later, Michelle Rhee hired NEW teachers from other states, not reinstating any of the teachers that were let go, without just cause or an adequate explanation. The parents were upset, as some of their favorite seasoned teachers, used to the teaching experience of DC's inner city schools, were not hired back. Fenty defended Michelle Rhee at every turn, and that made the DC residents "sour" towards him. Additionally, Fenty was perceived as a mayor that catered more to the "haves" of DC than the "have-not's". That presented a problem with gaining total support from the Districts local communities. He may however run as an Independent, since there was not a Republican running. He feasibly could syphon some Republican votes which may place him over the top of his opponent in the general election.”

[pauldununfola]

04:14 PM on 09/15/2010

Exactly. Pundits are going to blame the union but Rhee's personality and style was what rankled the parents- and they voted. The parents that actually participate in schools, like show up for the back to school nights and all that are actually very influential in a community.

[Oomingmak]

05:29 PM on 09/15/2010

Rhee may be personally abrasive, but to make an omlette you have to break a few eggs. She was doing the right thing (it's too bad if some parents who were "used to" the old system were uncomfortable, but the schools were a total failure, so being uncomfortable doesn't seem a very good reason to scuttle reform). The fact that the mayor was voted out because of it just shows that democracy sometimes isn't a system that delivers the most optimal results.

I agree with your analysis that those were the political factors behind the result, and so I am simply remarking at how I feel this was a serious mistake.

[jdfast]

06:56 PM on 09/15/2010

I agree 100%. The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. At least Rhee came in and made decisions that rocked the boat and started the district on a path to success. Sure feelings were hurt but in order to grow you must leave the people that don't expect too much behind for their own good and the benefit of the organization. A little change is good all the time.

[Lake Saganaga]

01:57 AM on 09/16/2010

But don't break it by dropping onto the floor.Which is what Rhee did. You can't "impose" policies on the employees thru slash & burn approach.

[altohone]

03:21 PM on 09/15/2010

"the growing number of voters (Republicans and Democrats alike) who view those unions as the main source of ill for the nation's education system."
Source please, Mr Stein.

[angelrubes]

03:52 PM on 09/15/2010

"crickets...."

[Oomingmak]

05:33 PM on 09/15/2010

Here ya go:

http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2016994,00.html

I'm a strong Obama Democrat, but if teacher's unions don't wake up and realize that their support is crumbling if they continue to oppose sensible reform, they are in for a serious wake-up call.

[Lake Saganaga]

02:04 AM on 09/16/2010

More on the TIME poll :

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/school-turnaroundsreform/about-that-time-magazine-educa.html

More people support their kids' teachers than oppose.

[janemp]

03:17 PM on 09/15/2010

I taught for 30 years and had a Masster's degree. The most I ever earned was $43,000. As for the weeks of paid vacation--try being a teacher for a week. I worked 50+ hours a week, usually more, with preparation, grading papers and paper work demanded by the state and district. I spent 6 hours on Sunday getting ready for the next week so never had a full weekend off. Closing oneself in a classroom with 35 teenager, attempting to keep discipline and to teach is incredibly difficult. Again, try it sometime. Also I spent $500 of my own money for supplies. every year. Fifty percent of new teachers are gone after 3-5 years. That should tell you something about how hard this job is. While I would have liked to make more money, I would have preferred a smaller teaching load and better equipment.

[Bert Juneau]

05:41 PM on 09/15/2010

If you worked in the private sector you'd work more than 50 hours a week. :) I would like to support the teachers more, but I can't as long as they cling to tenure. Tenure is institutionalized child abuse. Tenure has turned the teacher's union into an analogue of the catholic church - a safehaven for child abusers.

[traceydouglas]

11:21 AM on 09/18/2010

Tenure simply gives teachers the right to due process. Referring to tenure as "institutionalized child abuse" and creating "a safehaven for child abusers" is offensive to say the least.

[laborgrunt]

02:10 AM on 09/28/2010

Hyperbole must be your middle name.

[robjh1]

03:12 PM on 09/15/2010

From what I can tell and been reading, Fenty did himself in. He lost sight of his goal and his purpose. Like most politicians and pretty much people in public eye, they buy into their own hype and the people have to bring them down.

President Obama had begun to believe his own hype and look at where he is now. He's done a lot of good things but had he stayed the course and not bought his own hype he and the Democratic congress wouldn't be having the hard time they are having now. But then too, it is history repeating itself. Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton experienced the same thing during their first terms.

[angelrubes]

04:08 PM on 09/15/2010

Robjh, what is the "hype" that President Obam bought?
As son as President Obama was sworn in, the Republicans began their campaign of trying to sabotage his Presidency and legacy. It's a miracle that he got as many bills passed as he has. He has passed major legislation that doesn't get the media attention. Just yesterday the Small Business Bill was passed. That was given a small box on HP, and I really didn't hear anything about it on my local media outlets, and not on any of the major cable shows. I guess when it's positive and productive news it has a "short shelf life."

I beg to differ from you, Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton never received the type of opposition that President Obama is getting. Could you imagine if someone who was a senator from the Democratic Party, came on TV during Reagan, or Bush, and said that he was not "normal" and that he was a "con" man. I'm not talking about shock jock talk, I talking about someone who was at one time, Republican Majority Whip, and who has aspirations to become President! President Obama is the "Jackie Robinson," of Presidential history. What he is subject to is unprecedented.

[robjh1]

04:30 PM on 09/15/2010

@angeirubes: Surely you jest when you ask what hype? He was told congress wouldn't deny him anything. Look at he hard time he had with healthcare with Republicans and his own party. He said we are blue or red but united...well it takes more than words. He said people disagree with him because of his politics well it is that and then some. He believed the US gov't would be handed to him on a silver platter for him to disect and dice. He was wrong it has been very difficult for him. Ronnie and Billy did encounter similar things. Don't you remember Iran Contra with Reagan and Monica with Clinton all started during the end of the first term and ended in the second. History.

[smartdog]

06:40 PM on 09/15/2010

obama is a republican operative. so if you want to wave the "victim" banner let's hope you can weather the economic downturn that will continue. instead of health care, banking reform and a watered down response to bp disaster, all of which will do very little to protect mainstream. obama should have talked and dealt with the economy only, everything else would have fallen in place. it was his choice. he is not the victim here.

[wa-st-concerned]

03:12 PM on 09/15/2010

I still don't understand what the problem is with teachers/educators banding together to form a union that fights for a living wage and decent teaching conditions! The "establishment" of the power brokers that wish to force each and every working person to accept a minimum wage for every job is against the basic foundations of the consititution - "to see to the general wellbeing of the people". Putting more money in the pockets of the top 2% is not the answer.

[angelrubes]

03:18 PM on 09/15/2010

I know! I don't know how any one of conscience is against a living wage. I don't get it. Do they really want people to eat dirt? I would be ashamed to think that way, much less admit it! Sheesh.

I'd fan you, but I alread have. :)

[nikto]

04:13 PM on 09/15/2010

Most Americans desire a living wage for THEMSELVES.

The problem is that they don't want anybody else to have one.

To be American, for many people, is to have amnesia and be hopelessly narcissistic and lacking in compassion for others that they desire for THEMSELVES.

[Oomingmak]

05:39 PM on 09/15/2010

Strawman. That's not what the concern is with teacher's unions. Most people (including myself!) agree that teachers are seriously underpaid and under-respected. It's the fact that teachers unions too often oppose sensible reform, which means removing the deadwood and instituting better accountability and incentives for results.

[SoutheastBeast]

05:34 PM on 09/15/2010

I am pro-union. That being said, I was a DCPS teacher for six years and I wasn't a big fan of the Teachers Union. BUT...they are not the main source of trouble in DCPS. Not by a long shot. They have been scapegoated by Republicans for years, but sadly more and more Democrats are also joining this chorus.

[Bert Juneau]

05:44 PM on 09/15/2010

Junk tenure - that would bring your union a lot of support. Also - in our community, the teachers earn more than twice the median wage - and say they are underpaid - no one will buy that friend.

I whole heartedly support public education. It is very important. That's why tenure has to go.

[JasonJM]

03:09 PM on 09/15/2010

This far left government has been ignoring America since it got in.
Now people are engaged again for the first time in a long time.
When America gets engaged, you start hearing the real voice of America.
America's talking points are not Racism and Gay rights, it's the Constitution, fiscal responsibility and equal justice not social justice.

There is a storm coming.

[angelrubes]

03:13 PM on 09/15/2010

And it's a gonna blow you away! Thanks for the gift, we'll send you some cake after November.

You can't have equal justice without social justice....

[JasonJM]

03:23 PM on 09/15/2010

You can have equal justice by strictly adhering to the law. (Illegal immigration) Not special treatment for some who don't follow the law...

[wa-st-concerned]

04:26 PM on 09/15/2010

There is NO far left government.....it is so center right it is pathetic. We elected a dem government and it has been a raft of legislation in which the right amendments and demands are already included and yet receive no right votes.

The situtation we find outselves in is NOT a democratic invention but the result of previous policies coming home to roost. If you want to talk fiscal responsiblity, start in 1980 with Reagan. "Equal Justice" is not just for straight, white, rich.....but every person in this country, be they of color, gay or poor.

You are right, there is a storm coming - to rout out the bigotry and theocrisy not supported in the constitution or any other government document.

You don't have a clue what the Constitution actually says. You have a distorted and incorrect view profered by the republican contribution wing, Fox News.

[Bert Juneau]

05:47 PM on 09/15/2010

We have a one party system in the US - learn it.