New York noted that “the union’s executive council could theoretically endorse someone against the majoritarian wishes of its rank and file.” I’ll go a step further. If Hillary were to run again in 2020, AFT would endorse her again.... Mike AntonucciUPDATE:
When Randi Weingarten announced a new "democratic" process for the AFT to choose its presidential candidate I laughed out loud (I've been doing a lot of that lately). Practically simultaneously came the big news from candidate Kamala Harris as reported by James Eterno:
KAMALA HARRIS SAYS AS POTUS SHE WOULD USE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO RAISE TEACHER SALARIES
Randi endorsed Kamala's action: THIS is incredible!! @KamalaHarris is putting attracting & retaining teachers front and center. This would make a huge difference in the lives of educators, our students and our communities. #AFTVotes #FundOurFuture https://t.co/gwg8PysGNm
Let's have a cheer for the "new" and "open" Democratic process in the AFT. The word inside the UFT is that the deal is done. Randi has chosen Kamala and now only has to make things appear to be democratic. One thing I can guarantee - under no circumstance will anyone in the progressive wing who is running will be considered - ie, Bernie, Warren -- no chance in the centrist world of AFT/UFT.
No anti-corporate people allowed. I was wondering about the Unity openness to running former MORE Mindy Rosier-Rayburn who is a major Bernie supporter -- gives them some cover as to how "democratic" they are.
I can say the same for Unity's running Arthur and Mike -- gives them some cover while their ultimate stripes don't change. Remember - they were approached by top level Unity officials asking them to run as independents - and we know that from Randi on down there was a lot of interest in the MORE implosion a year ago and you could just see the wheels beginning to turn on how Unity could take advantage. As I keep saying - MORE helped strengthen Unity to the point that they have more control than they have in 35 years.
Unless Harris crashes, watch for her appearance at the AFT convention in Houston in July 2020 to accept the endorsement. What about Biden? The thinking here is that Randi doesn't see an old white male as viable enough and that his past will come back to undermine him.
Lois Weiner commented on FB:
The Kamala Harris plan to increase teacher pay "is one of the most thoughtful initiatives we have seen in years,” said Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, who enthusiastically embraced the proposal." Another big fan is Arne Duncan. Also the Center for American Progress, started by John Podesta. Meaning the Democratic DFER crowd is alive, well, and kicking. Discuss the implications of this. Better still, write a commentary that explains what this proposal should be DOA.Rather than this salary bullshit which seems so bogus - and also something that advocates for under resourced schools will point to -- I would prefer Harris to take an adamant stand against charters and for fully funded schools. I wouldn't bet on it. Her donor list as James points out below has too many alerts.
James' readers are not impressed:
What we're seeing is AFT president Randi Weingarten and DFER Arne Duncan making a coordinated push of Kamala's sudden stated support for teachers & unions. That's an alliance I do not trust. Seems they've figured out how they're going to try to placate #RedForEd in 2020.
Further reaction from Christine Langhoff on Twitter in response to Randi's Tweet:The pro-Bernie crowd will certainly end up upset at the process once again and resentment may carry forth.
Yet another red flag.
James says: Please go to the NPE site to see Kemala Harris getting a D grade for who her donors are. As they said during the Watergate era: Follow the money.
Mike Antonucci had a wry report on the "new" AFT process and nails the contradictions:
AFT’s New Presidential Endorsement Process “Emphasizes Internal Democracy”
We don’t get too many articles in the mainstream press about teacher union internal processes, so it was with much anticipation (and trepidation) I read this piece in New York magazine headlined “America’s Second-Largest Teachers Union Is Trying Not to Make 2016’s Mistake.”
The “mistake” referred to was the American Federation of Teachers’ method for endorsing Hillary Clinton for President of the United States almost a full year before she received the nomination of the Democratic Party.
The new method, spelled out on the AFT Votes website, involves more member input and more requirements of the candidates before they can receive the union’s endorsement.
“This year’s approach, which is more transparent and emphasizes internal democracy, indicates that the union intends to take its time before endorsing a candidate,” wrote reporter Sarah Jones.
This appears to be a positive outcome for everyone involved, but it does raise a few questions.
If the new approach is more transparent and emphasizes internal democracy, what does it say about the old approach? And how does this new approach correspond with the claims the union made about its endorsement process back in 2015?
AFT’s resolution to endorse Clinton noted that “AFT has engaged our members in a variety of ways on both the issues and the candidates, has conducted two polls, has held two town hall forums, has established the “You Decide 2016” and the “You Got Schooled” websites…,” etc. The union also cited “a scientific poll conducted in late June 2015, 79 percent of members who can vote in the Democratic primary support a primary endorsement, and, by more than a 3-to-1 margin, those members prefer Hillary Clinton.”
If all that were true, what need is there for a new process?
AFT president Randi Weingarten referenced “trust issues” in an interview with New York. “Some of it may be Russian bots, some of it may be from the Bernie camp, because our endorsement was earlier than what is typical,” she said.
Attributing your problems to Russian bots suggests a less than serious approach to a solution.
New York noted that “the union’s executive council could theoretically endorse someone against the majoritarian wishes of its rank and file.”Here's one thing we know. Whoever the Randi machine endorses often loses. Did Randi just help re-elect Trump?
I’ll go a step further. If Hillary were to run again in 2020, AFT would endorse her again.
I wonder if Paul Egan had any input!!!
ReplyDeleteHarris is really, really awful. As San Fransisco DA, it was she shot pushed to jail the parents of truant students.
ReplyDeleteYeah, that'll cure the ill'in.
Next time she's on TV, try watching her with the sound off: she's freakish and almost frightening.
And if Duncan is supporting her, say no more...
Harris could declare teacher salaries a national emergency. May I be the first person to call for Weingarten’s retirement?
ReplyDelete