Has NEA Waited Too Long?
NEA was unhappy with its role in the 2004 Democratic primaries. Its own activists and state affiliate leaders split among the various candidates. Although the national union strongly supported John Kerry in the general election, NEA played no part in getting him nominated in the first place.
NEA discussed various measures to get behind a candidate earlier. Its idea for a “nominating convention” devolved into invitations to the presidential candidates to speak at the NEA representative assembly last July.
It’s likely a presidential endorsement will come out of the union’s board of directors meeting on December 7-8. But will it matter anymore?
Just as in 2004, NEA’s state affiliates have filled the void with their own endorsements. The Connecticut Education Association endorsed Christopher Dodd. The Delaware State Education Association endorsed Joseph Biden. The North Carolina Association of Educators endorsed John Edwards. Linda Nelson, president of the Iowa State Education Association, personally endorsed Barack Obama, prompting Edwards to trot out other ISEA activists who personally supported him.
All of this without the complication of AFT endorsing Hillary Clinton, which at least ostensibly puts NEA’s merged affiliates in Florida, Montana, New York and Minnesota in her camp.
So when NEA finally makes its choice, it will receive national headlines, but what difference will it make on the ground? If NEA endorses Hillary, will the union send operatives into Iowa to boost her campaign, while Linda Nelson is stumping for Obama? How will the union deal with its national and state officers campaigning on opposite sides?
The only ways to avoid that scenario are to delay the endorsement until the field thins out, or issue a multi-candidate endorsement. Either one is less than ideal for NEA, but now it can only make the best of a bad situation.
December 2nd, 2007 at 13:20
I was looking for info about math programs and got sidetracked to a grassroots site for education (Illinois) and somehow ended up here. This is my first blog comment…don’t have much spare time to play online, but had to say something about this topic.
I’m a teacher,union (NEA/IEA), love working with children, am frustrated with a disfunctional government telling me how to do my job (this is my 36th year), AND…I don’t think teacher unions…wait, we’re supposed to call ourselves professional organizations…well, regardless…I don’t want NEA/IEA taking up valuable time “endorsing” political candidates. It’s pointless, does nothing to further excellence in education, does very little to help children or teachers. Teacher organizations should be neutral centers of information that can bring together grassroots ideas that would enhance curriculum so that all children really have solid education opportunities. In addition, they should work towards helping to provide good health insurance and pension programs for teachers by finding ways to pool resources so that individual districts can be helped financially. Finally, they should be the main force behind holding elected officials accountable for meeting only the highest of standards for education.
They should work with school board, administrator, and parent organizations to put education at the top of the list of priorities in this land of ours.
Our unions have been too busy endorsing and not busy enough watching and advocating excellence in education.
And now…back to preparing for next week’s lessons. You see, my “judges” are my students and they are tough taskmasters who expect my very best.
Bessie…a proud professional!