Cory Booker on working with Betsy DeVos' school privatization organization:

[PatsFan87]

"I'm so proud of my affiliation with this group"

[bagelsforbreakfast]

1. got a streak going now, does he?

[KittyWampus]

5. Welcome to DU. I've been here for a long time. I know bullshit OP titles when I see them

If you stick around long enough, you might learn to recognize them too.

[CentralMass]

2. Im sure there will be a major counter offensive in about 2 minute's.

[KittyWampus]

4. I'd say the misleading OP title is the offensive part of this whole thing.

[KittyWampus]

3. Your thread title is deliberately misleading whoever the hell you are.

Booker and many other Democrats support School Vouchers when it's done properly.

[CentralMass]

8. He supports merit pay for teachers, privitization (increased charter schools) and vouchers.

Many Democrats and teachers do not.

Arme Duncan and his ppolicies were a real negative for me. Nearly enough to be a show stopper.

The Obama administrations public education policy could have been right out of a republican think tank

I'll confess that Cory Booker was/is no where on my radar, but having read up a little on his views on public-ed, I would definitely seek a candidate with different views

[BadgerMom]

12. +1

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

23. Vouchers a non-starter... strike 2 Cory!

[ananda]

47. Agree.

This is a bad business.

Every American is entitled to a good, free
PUBLIC education.

[KittyWampus]

52. Funny how you can't refute the FACT THE OP TITLE IS BULLSHIT.

[melman]

54. It's not bullshit at all

[PatsFan87]

55. Would you mind explaining why you think the title is bullshit?

Thanks.

[CentralMass]

68. It looks pretty accurate to me.

http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/booker-says-wait-and-see-on-education-secretary-nominee

"New Jersey senator sat on school choice board with Trump’s choice for Education secretary

While he was mayor of Newark, Booker sat on the board of the Alliance for School Choice while DeVos was chairwoman. He also addressed the 2012 national policy summit for the American Federation for Children, on which DeVos served as chairwoman of the board of directors." - See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/booker-says-wait-and-see-on-education-secretary-nominee#sthash.5JUdAa9X.dpuf

Also..
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10028488511

[PatsFan87]

16. Booker was on the advisory board of Democrats for Education Reform

which advocates charter schools, merit pay, test-based teacher evaluations, and removing teachers unions from having a role in shaping curriculum or determining working conditions. It was cofounded by hedge fund managers, has ties to the Koch Brothers, and in 2010, of DfER's seven-person advisory board, five managed hedge funds. For some background on DfER:

http://www.prwatch.org/news/2016/03/13065/how-dfer-leaders-channel-out-state-dark-money-colorado-and-beyond

Some gems from that piece:

DFER is actually the more well known PAC arm of Education Reform Now, Inc. (ERN), a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit, and Education Reform Now Advocacy, Inc. (ERNA), a 501(c)(4) social welfare group. Their acronym not only sounds like the word "earn," but also it has the backing of some really huge earners.

DFER co-founder (and founder of the T2 Partners hedge fund) Whitney Tilson explained the hedge funders interest in education noting that "Hedge funds are always looking for ways to turn a small amount of capital into a large amount of capital."

The Board of Directors for ERN consists almost entirely of Wall Streeters who made their fortunes through financial groups and hedge funds, such as Sessa Capital, Gotham Capital, Covey Capital, Charter Bridge Capital, Maverick Capital, Cubist Systematic Strategies, and Sanford C. Bernstein.

It is known, though, that FOX's Rupert Murdoch gave at least $1 million to ERN. Murdoch has expressed his desire to get in on education "reforms," stating "When it comes to K through 12 education, we see a $500 billion sector in the U.S. alone...."

Because non-profits like ERN/ERNA do not have to disclose their major donors to the public, even when ERNA is active in supporting electoral activities the public is left in the dark about which hedge funder is actually helping to fund state and local ads and mailers during the election.

[earthside]

60. There is no such thing as "School Vouchers when it's done properly"

Vouchers (and 90 percent of charters, in my opinion) have three purposes:

1) Restore segregation to education
2) Enrich 'education' services and supply corporations
3) Bust teacher unions

[LovingA2andMI]

6. So Not A Contender...

For 2020 period. Democrats need to expand their bench if this is the "leading" candidate for the next elections.

[KittyWampus]

7. Why are you falling for the bullshit?

[CentralMass]

9. What bullshit ?

[HoneyBadger]

51. In my old state, 35% of government spending was on education

Do not underestimate the value of education $ to unions vs corporations. It is substantial.

[BadgerMom]

15. Sherrod Brown

in 2020!

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

24. Bernie all the way!

[SammyWinstonJack]

39. +1000000!

[Orrex]

40. Yes, let's write off the 2020 election before it's too late.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

42. Bernie's election in 2020 will write off the Cheeto-faced Nazi-Elect... Bernie's leadership since Hillary's defeat has been exemplary.

[Orrex]

57. No, it won't. And there's no point in clinging to that pipe dream.

His leadership has been nifty, sure, but he will be (not entirely incorrectly) seen and certainly portrayed as having helped to get Trump elected in 2016, so it's unlikely that he'll make it far in the next primary season.

Especially since he re-branded himself as a Democrat when it was politically expedient to do so, only to re-re-brand himself as "Independent" when it once again served his purpose to do so.

Even if should somehow miraculously make it through primary season when he failed to do so in 2016, he'll be 79 by that point.


It would be stupid for Sanders to run for president again, and he's not stupid.

[George II]

50. My prediction is that Sanders will be out of elective office by the end of next year.

[Quixote1818]

10. There is video of him praising Jeff Sessions for his Civil Rights work too

He seemed to turn against Sessions when it was convenient for any presidential ambitions in the future. He seems a bit too opportunistic to me.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

25. Forgot about that one! Strike three, your out Cory!

[Phoenix61]

11. American Federation for Children

is Betsy DeVos's organization. I am not a fan of hers for many reasons. There is a huge difference between a public school system providing magnate schools that offer specialized curriculums and vouchers that take tax money out of the public school system. There have been numerous studies on charter schools and they are not a panacea to our public school system woes.

http://www.saveourschoolsnj.org/reform-njs-broken-charter-school-law/

[BadgerMom]

18. Absolutely!

I subscribe to Diane Ravitch's blog. I can't think of a time I have not agreed with her. She is an experienced and highly regarded professional educator and academic. She had a period during which she worked with the idea of school choice. She's smart enough that when reports from teachers and academics studying the numbers began reflecting that charters harmed kids and public education while escaping oversight and lining the pockets of the wealthy, she left the movement and has done all she can to highlight the problems they cause. She's pro-student, pro-teacher, and pro-public education.

I'm a retired middle school language arts teacher who worked in an award-winning school in Northern California. My brother is a special ed and music teacher at a large LAUSD high school. Charters are the enemy as is Teach for America.

[HoneyBadger]

53. Charters are the enemy as is Teach for America.

I would love to hear why. Charters compete with union schools, so I see a need to pick a side, but what is wrong with Teach For America, which puts uber educated idealistic teachers in schools that would normally be served by lesser teachers.

[kcr]

56. What, you think the buildings are union?

That's what those Teach for America "teachers" are for. To displace Union teachers while they're padding their resume on their way up the corporate ladder on to better things. It's a nasty business. Those teachers aren't lesser. Don't buy the bullshit.

[BadgerMom]

61. Uber educated?

They don't have the education any credentialed teacher has. California requires units over and above a Bachelor's degree plus student teaching time. Some states require Master's. States require minimum subject area proficiency for those teaching a specific subject. (Think secondary school teachers such as math, history, English.) Additionally, classroom control practices are taught to professional teachers allowing them to deliver lessons rather than spend time disciplining misbehavior. It's great that enthusiastic young men and women exist and want to teach. I urge them to get the necessary training. But don't allow the RW to criticize trained professional teachers and praise the young and untrained who join Teach for America. It's a way to get less expensive labor. As little as teachers are paid, all new teachers such as those with Teach for America start at the bottom of the scale. Do you want an attorney who hasn't attended law school to represent you? Do you want your doctor or dentist to be trained? Why do students deserve less?

[HoneyBadger]

62. I know several Teach For America alumni and consider them far better educated and more idealistic

than the average teacher in the underserved communities that they were placed at. They are now parents in my child's public school and their insight regarding the teachers and school administration has been enlightening.

Excellent username by the way.

[LanternWaste]

65. Well, of course you'd predicate your entire premise on anecdotal evidence.

Well, of course you'd predicate your entire premise and position on anecdotal evidence. It's often difficult to validate our biases otherwise...

[BadgerMom]

67. I know several teachers

who, because they care about their schools and students, have spent time mentoring and helping failing Teach for America teachers. But anecdotes don't paint the whole picture. I would suggest you realize that your friends who joined Teach for America probably they may have burdened the staff with whom they worked. And what metric was used to determine idealism?

[SidDithers]

13. Welcome to DU...

Sid

[dionysus]

66. Vaht?

[Starry Messenger]

14. Sadly, a lot of his voters love charter schools.

I'm not in love with his views on the subject or his past affiliations, but he's not a one-man privatization army. Many DUers have espoused his positions over the years, and some have been Bernie fans and some have been Hillary fans.

Two of the loudest and most obnoxious Bernie people at JPR were vicious charter supporters, so this line of attack has little credibility with me, as anyone will throw my union under the bus when it serves them. They certainly did during the primary.

[Phoenix61]

19. Not all of them

http://www.saveourschoolsnj.org/reform-njs-broken-charter-school-law/

[Starry Messenger]

20. Did I say all of them?

He's also pledged to vote against DeVos' confirmation, so this hit job by the OP is more "Our Revolution" ratfucking.

[Phoenix61]

22. No you didn't

Happy to hear he's voting against her

[radical noodle]

17. Why the Booker hate?

He's announced he isn't voting for DeVos.

[Trust Buster]

21. I think Booker is a straight political opportunist. ( see Joe Manchin ).

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

26. Sure seems that way... and have you seen whose bankrolling Booker?

[Trust Buster]

28. No, I haven't seen who is bankrolling Booker ? Care to share ?

[Quixote1818]

32. Here is a glimpse

These senators get the most Wall St. campaign cash

http://www.cnbc.com/2014/10/23/cory-booker-mitch-mcconnell-get-the-most-wall-st-campaign-cash.html

That article linked to these which are quite interesting:

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/10/20/the-ugly-truth-about-cory-booker-new-jersey-s-golden-boy.html

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/08/why-do-liberals-hate-cory-booker/278992/

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

33. And don't forget "big pharma"... our candidates should reject their dirty money, much of it stripped from poor people who pay outrageous prices for their meds.

Booker should refund those donations and renounce the lobbyists who run rampant on Capitol Hill. You really think they have our best interests at heart?! Hardly!!

[mcar]

58. You mean the same Big Pharma that has donated to Sanders too?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

69. Anyone who takes money from those corporate murderous pigs should refund the $$$, period!

[mcar]

70. Fair enough

But why should Booker be persona non grata in a 2020 race, while Bernie would be welcome?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

71. Fair question... Booker has more "corporate" strikes against him than just big pharma.

[mcar]

72. I suggest we're back into a

"Letting the perfect be the enemy of the good" situation.

We need to be focusing on fighting the sociopath and 2018.

[JHan]

64. So he should refund donations from workers in the industry..

you know: staff, data people, marketing etc that are, individually, small donations.

Right?

[azmom]

73. Corporations are people, my friend. Nt

[Trust Buster]

41. Thank you. Very interesting.

[Quixote1818]

27. I am always suspicious when the corporate media starts pushing someone

He is probably an alright guy but I am beginning to think he got into politics for some of the wrong reasons. Hopefully now that he knows the spot light is on him he will put his energy into being a populist.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

36. Booker makes Manchin look like an amateur... both need to be primaried.

[crazycatlady]

44. Booker won't be primaried

If anyone in NJ needs to be primaried, it is Menendez, who is facing corruption charges. I think that corruption charges are a far more valid reason to face a primary challenge than a purity test.

Booker won a 3 way primary to succeed the late Frank Lautenberg. I didn't vote for him in that primary, but I did in the general.

NJ typically does not primary incumbents. In fact the county parties have conventions to decide who gets the 'party line' on the primary ballot. (They run under the line X County Democrats). Typically the establishment candidate with the line wins.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

46. Oh ok, didnt realize... and you're right about Menendez (sounds like another Toricelli situation)

[elfin]

29. I dont trust the guy

There was a series about him - Brick City - when he was mayor of Newark. At first I really liked it and him but then he grew tiresome.

He is very smart, but his actions seem even more contrived than most professional pols to get some press. Yes, they all do it, but he strikes me as a phony now that he's moved from mayor to the Senate.Trying to make a national name in order to be Pres. is my guess.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

34. I have relatives in NJ who say the same thing... has ZERO chance of winning my vote in 2020.

[joshcryer]

30. This is why we lose.

[Fiendish Thingy]

31. Strike 2!

Presidential dreams drift away like dust in the wind...

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

35. Actually strike 3... Booker caught looking!

[Chimichurri]

37. He is very pro charter schools. His legacy in Newark

Speaks volumes
http://www.npr.org/2015/09/21/442183080/assessing-the-100-million-upheaval-of-newarks-public-schools

[obamanut2012]

38. I see you OP, and am remembering your name

[PatsFan87]

43. Did I make Santa's naughty list for daring to criticize a Democrat?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

48. How dare you!! After all, we've done so well over the past 4 election cycles...

Seriously, you'd think we'd try something different!! But noooo... Booker is just the next in line that the corporations are trying to sell us.

It's time We The People rise the fuck up and tell our politicians THEY WORK FOR US!!! NOT CORPORATE AMERICA!!!

Okay, I'm getting off my soapbox now.

[Tatiana]

45. I don't want to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

I strongly disagree with him regarding his position on school choice.

However, I agree with him a lot more than I disagree with him. Ideologically, he is very similar to Obama -- who I also disagreed with on education policy.

[hollowdweller]

49. I'm not for contracting out ANY gov't jobs

First thing they do is cut the rules so the contractors do not have to go thru the same hoops as gov't employees.

Then they obscure whether the contractors actually do a better job.

Then all the contractors buy politicians to do the aboe.

[mcar]

59. Hmm...

.@CoryBooker: "I still have serious concerns about @BetsyDeVos leading @usedgov & will not be voting to confirm her"

[Arazi]

63. Thanks for bringing this