Capuano stronger on education

I was thrilled to recently learn that Representative Capuano had voted against George W. Bush's attempt at education policy, the No Child Left Behind law back in 2001. Capuano became one of only 45 representatives to stand against this law. On the heels of becoming one of only 2 representatives to vote "present" on a motion to "Support Charter Schools Week" in 2001, Capuano really had his priorities straight back then.

His explanation last month for the 2001 vote is reported in the Globe:

Capuano and other critics say the metrics are unfair and unfunded.

"I voted against it, because there was no money in there for you guys to do the things we were telling you to do," he said, prompting enthusiastic applause.

I was impressed with Capuano's prescience, and was ready to firmly throw in with him. I was looking forward to reading his remarks in the Congressional Record about the law, only the find...nothing. While I am disappointed that he remained mute on the House floor during the debate, I cannot question Capuano's understanding of education on this bill, given his 2001 op-ed piece in the Globe which showed his understanding of the nature of this law:

The president promises substance and accountability. He proposes to measure a school's success through annual testing of all students, Grades 3 through 8, in math and reading. But what will his high-stakes tests really accomplish?

Such tests force schools to drill students in test-taking strategies and emphasize rote memorization. Less time is available to teach children to read, write, and calculate. Less time is available to teach them to think critically, to ask questions and seek answers. Is this the education we really want?

Reading further, you learn that the president would permit any student from a school that tests poorly to take $1,500 of Title I funding out of the failing school and transfer it to another school. ... This would accelerate the downward spiral and leave those who remain significantly worse off: 36 subsidized, 414 harmed.

...

What about the private schools that would receive Title I funds? Must they offer classes for special needs children? Can they demand religious conversion? Who will review their curriculum? We already know they won't be held accountable - the president's plan exempts private schools from his high-stakes testing.

And what about justice? Even if we exclude schools that discriminate on the basis of race, religion, or gender, no private school accepts every applicant, and all can expel at will. So who remains in public schools? Children with disabilities, children with developmental problems, children from families where homework is not checked. The neediest and most troubled children - those who most need our help and cost the most to educate - will not disappear. Maybe President Bush should call his proposal "Leave some children behind."

This is frankly an article that President Obama, Secretary Duncan, and Governor Patrick should be forced to read. Capuano understands not only the fiscally debilitating implications of the bill on schools, but the sheer injustice of private/charter/religious receiving a full helping of public education funding with very little of the attendant responsibilities. Let me be clear: I am not ready to see Rep. Capuano as a leader on education issues: he's been rather silent in Congress on education. It's a lot to take a person on faith based on very few votes. However, if the Senate finds itself needing a leader to emerge on this issue, I think and hope that Senators Begich and Capuano are the best hope for a smart policy.

I came into this race leaning toward Martha Coakley. However, her issues page remains silent on education, and a follow-up inquiry elicited this response:

In the next few weeks, the Attorney General's position on education will be posted on her website.

I can't help thinking that the primary election will be over "in the next few weeks". Right now, it looks as if she's ducking the issue. On education, Capuano is clearly emerging as the more progressive candidate on education. While I am still uneasy about what his attack mentality, and refusal to enter the race without permission from the Kennedy family say about his ideas of leadership, Capuano's grasp of education issues is heartening.

NCLB is about to blow up, as the stated goal of making every child magically proficient in reading and math by 2014 hits reality. The US Senate will be part of the reaction to reality, and on that vote I'd rather have a strong, knowledgeable Senator such as Michael Capuano than someone measuring the winds.

Holy Crap! Best ad of 2008

My man Mark Begich is facing a deal: if Ted Stevens is indicted convicted, he wins. If Stevens gets off...looks shaky. But check out this take-no-prisoners-mofo'n ad:



PS: Anybody wishing an education in our criminal justice system would be well-served by tracing the records of prominent 21st century Republicans.

Okay, fun time's over...back to McCain

It takes a deal of discipline to push away from the astounding reality that is VP Candidate Sarah Palin. It seems every day offers up one or two more illustrations of her dishonesty and incompetence, the latest being her lie about selling the governor's place on Ebay, and McCain's people hustling her away from anyone who might ask her questions. It's reminiscent of a movie where the heroes discover a cavern full of treasure, wandering wide-eyed through a room of progressively more opulent goods. Though it isn't easy to tear away from this trove of mendacious mediocracy, it's time to re-focus on the true prize.

Governor Palin isn't running for president, isn't in the presidential debates, and probably won't really influence too many votes (you didn't actually believe those "Americans" who live to tell women how to behave would sit out this election, did you?). Instead, this election is about McCain and Obama. So while it may be fun to pump out posts about Sarah Palin (4 of today's 7 front-paged on DKos, and half of the current recommended reader diaries on TPM), this in the end is just static.

Better to keep our eye on the ball, as does Senator Biden:



PS: Hot on the heels of McCain's speech about bringing change to Washington and pretending the Republicans don't control the government, Republicans are trying to win control of the Senate by bullying Joe Lieberman into their caucus. That's McCain's brand of change -- reaching out to Washington insiders.

PPS: My number one man, Mark Begich, has a real race on his hands for US Senator for Alaska in the wake of Palin's inclusion into the ticket. Help him out, wouldja?

MTA: For Cocktail Parties

The Massachusetts Teachers' Association is an eeeevul teachers' union. You know, we can't be trusted. So here's the eeeevil teachers' union on federal regulation of education under "No Child Left Behind":

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) has produced many unintended and unfavorable consequences for students, parents and educators across the country. Six years of experience with NCLB demonstrate the law's complexity and the vital need to take the time to carefully consider and fully understand how each proposed change will affect our nation's schools and students.

So...the overarching regulatory act on education, of which the MTA is at least deeply suspicious, believing the law is in need of "more significant changes". John Kerry might agree or something, but I can't really tell. You see, John Kerry doesn't really have an issues page, just a brag page of things that he's said about issues...if he hasn't given a good speech on an issue, it's ignored. Education isn't mentioned. However, we know that he voted for the law, and may have flip-flopped since then...but he hasn't really taken a definitive stand. So it's pretty much a "get back to you on that" kind of stance.

So on one hand, we have Ed O'Reilly who knows education and would repeal this odious broach of the principle of federalism that calls itself a law...and then we have John Kerry. One might expect the MTA to stand with other education stakeholders with O'Reilly, or at least excuse itself from this primary. But standing for principles isn't nearly as wicked as the access you get by kissing up to the right people, and it looks like the MTA brass doesn't want the cool cocktail parties to be the sole turf of other progressive issue groups who've sold out their members. So they've gone ahead and endorsed John Kerry, a man who (at least for the moment) stands for the single biggest impediment to its members doing their jobs well. Maybe a good choice for the "MTA", but not one for Massachusetts teachers. Thanks for nothing, guys.

PS: As usual, Mark Begich shows what leadership is, this time on education. Six months from now, Alaska will have a more nuanced, populist, accomplished, progressive, Senator than Massachusetts.

Geez I love this guy

There are two Democrats who've captivated me this cycle. At home, it's Ed O'Reilly, who shares my values on questions such as foreign intervention, education, and marriage equality. I've written about him extensively.

But my favorite candidate this year is my man, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich. I was a huge fan, but after this email, I'm ready to start a club...

My son Jacob is six years old and like any parent his future is never far from my mind.

That's why yesterday I unveiled my plan to bring local control back to Alaska families and make sure that Jacob and all other young Alaskans are given the skills to compete in a global economy.

But I can't get the job done all alone and that's why I need your help.

Will you sign up as a citizen co-sponsor to my education plan?

Our children represent our state's most important resource and that's why I am putting forward an education plan which pays for better teachers, better schools, and a better future for our children.

The change we need starts with getting rid of No Child Left Behind, a bill that has been a disaster for Alaska. Alaska doesn't fit the cookie-cutter approach from Washington and it's time to return local control to our communities.

We must provide universal access to Pre-K, invest in high-quality curriculum material, make college affordable, and Native Alaskan educational opportunities at all levels.

These are just a few things that I lay out in my education policy.

Join me in bringing change to education in Alaska.

The future of our state and our country lies in the kind of education we give our children.

Help me ensure that Jacob and all Alaskan children have the top notch education they deserve by becoming a co-sponsor to my education plan and inviting your family and friends to do the same.

http://action.begich.com/educationplan

Thanks for your support,

He's marking education as a key issue, and he's got the right stand on it. The future of the party is bright.

Electoral news

Rasmussen says that Mark Begich has opened up a 9-point lead over the incumbent in the Alaska Senate race. But he still could use your help.

And do you think there's any chance that Colin Powell could end up addressing the Democratic convention this year?

More good news for Mark Begich

More good news for Mark Begich, Democratic candidate for US Senate in Alaska. A poll paid for by DailyKos shows him leading his opponent, incumbent Ted Stevens:

If 2008 election for U.S. Senate were held today, for whom would you vote for if the choices were between Mark Begich, the Democrat, and Ted Stevens, the Republican?

Stevens (R) 43 (41)
Begich (D) 48 (47)

Undecideds seem to be breaking, and Begich is essentially maintaining his lead. I'm an admirer of his because I like people with executive experience in the legislature and White House (Begich is mayor of Anchorage), and Begich, along with Jon Tester, represent a new kind of "Western Democrat" who is at the forefront of coutnering Republican framing by explaining our values in terms consistent with discourse out there.

My political donations this year will be going heavily toward Ed O'Reilly here in Massachusetts, and Mark Begich out in Alaska. Doesn't mean that you can't go to this nifty Obama fundraiser featuring and organized by the good folks at BMG.

On the other hand...

...the money that was destined for Obama's campaign is now available to deserving folks such as Americans United, Ed O'Reilly, and Mark Begich. So it all works out.

The new governor: mayor

I just want to mention that governors are no longer politically cool. For a while, governors were the new senators: political experience plus executive experience. No crippling, embarrassing votes forced upon you by chamber rules (remember "I voted for [it] before I voted against it"?). Of course, governors have to work with state legislatures, but they connect with people and can have programs to which they can point. Governors have a bully pulpit, and aren't stained with living and working in Washington DC, something that Republicans have fooled Democrats into disliking.

Turns out, mayors are all that governors are, without the downside. They manage programs, closely and effectively -- they can cut crime, deal with immigration on a ground level, step into the marriage equality debate...on a very personal level. Because they govern a smaller territory, they can connect regularly with people in a close way, even if it's by biking around early in the morning. Of course, a mayor in Massachusetts, say, doesn't have a high political ceiling. Sure, Boston is a big city, but plenty of Massachusetts isn't Boston...much of which is hostile to the capital city. As a matter of fact, same is true in places such as Florida and Texas.

But in other places...a big city mayor can be a big deal. This includes three rising Democratic stars in red states:

• Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich is polling even in his run for the Alaska Senate. I like this guy, and I think he joins Jon Tester as offering a model for Democrats as how to win in the red state. Give him some money.
  
• Los Angeles Mayor is most likely to challenge Schwarzeneggar for the governorship of California. Not quite as interesting a guy to me -- very machine -- but a rarity in a Democratic state that doesn't seem to produce high-quality Democrats.
  
• Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson. Not everyone's cup of tea, but a major Democrat in Utah?? Anderson shares some of my sensibilities: impatient with Kerry, impressed with results, not words. Plus, he stood up to the ridiculous DARE program, and the ridiculous President we have.
  

Plus, one to watch: Mike Fahey. Given Nebraska's intelligent electoral rules, he may become a significant figure in the upcoming presidential election.

Perennial favorite: Thomas Menino of Boston. He's not a "visionary", doesn't talk pretty, doesn't turn his post into a podium for Democratic causes. He runs the city efficiently, avoiding crises or major problems...he does what a mayor does. As a matter of fact, he's the rare Massachusetts politician who seems to enjoy his job.