Kerry Defends Vote for Bush Schools Bill

[Rose Siding]

BARTLETT, N.H. -- Facing a skeptical crowd of teachers, Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry defended his vote for the federal "No Child Left Behind Act" while criticizing President Bush for underfunding the far-reaching education reform law.

Speaking at the National Education Association of New Hampshire convention, the Massachusetts senator repeated his promise to "hold this president accountable for making a mockery of the words, 'no child left behind.'"

But some in the audience wanted to hold Kerry accountable for supporting the 2002 law, which requires states that accept federal money to broaden academic testing, triple spending for literacy programs and meet new standards for pupil performance.

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-kerry-education,0,4576509.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[otohara]

1. Those Votes For Bush's Agenda

coming back to bite DLC members in the butt. Kerry wasn't listening to educators when he voted yes. Their biggest boo boo of course, not listening to overwhelming percentage of dems who did not support jr.s invasion of Iraq.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

2. In a nutshell, that's it.

[blm]

7. He was listening to Ted Kennedy...

and supporting his work. Any bill that Bush screws up will get fixed. Another hammer against Bush for lying.

[CWebster]

10. Always listening to someone else

causes one to be "misled" and perhaps not up to strong independent decision- making required of a leader.

[blm]

12. I was just using the other poster's spin

to spin it around. It's done often here.

btw....What was it Gary Hart said about Dean and foreign policy?

Oh yeah, "Gary, what do I do?"

[CWebster]

3. So, where is

Everybody that is usually all geared up to cheer on Kerry as the military hero to smash Bush (as the response for everything).

[styersc]

18. Kerry's support of a bill crafted by Mass' Sr. Senator Kennedy

is something that you want Kerry to apologize for?

Kerry is right. This is another example when Bush has gotten the attention for signing the bill but then weaseled out in budget requests to follow through (like Americorp, Everglades protection, a variety of enviro- concerns).

Dean has the luxury of not having a dog in the hunt. He can say he would have done this and would have done that but one never knows. He seems to confuse himself in what he would or would not do concerning Social Security benefits. It easier to snipe from the sidelines.

I tend to support Kerry because:

1). He has shown that he can fight back when Bush (hell, even the Pope) gets over the top.

2). He has history and credibility in environmental issues.

3). He has experience in investigating the Bush's (BCCI, Iran-Contra) and I'm certain that he will be able to hold his end up in a debate over Gov't ethics etc.

4). No Dem (besides Max Cleland) is stronger with veterans who have taken an open screwing under Bush and will be a reliable source of votes for Kerry.

5). This campaign is going to take $, Kerry has access.

6). For my vote, Kerry has a better economic plan then Dean and that is going to win this campaign.

7). As weary as some get of hearing it. Kerry's War (and subsequent peace) experience is right on the mark and I am anxious to see the AWOL debate (sure it will be only a week of nasty barbs on TV, radio and Sunday shows, but that will be a fun week).

[CWebster]

19. Howz about the second Iraq resolution

crafted by Kennedy and Byrd that Kerry declined to sign on?

Actually, if you look at some of Kerry's positions on education it is DLC all the way.

"Signing the New Democrat Coalition letter were 25 cosponsors of the Three R's bill: Senators Evan Bayh, John Breaux, Thomas Carper, Dianne Feinstein, Bob Graham, John Kerry, Herb Kohl, Mary Landrieu, Joe Lieberman, Blanche Lincoln, Bill Nelson; and Congressmen Ken Bentsen, Jim Davis, Susan Davis, Brad Carson, Cal Dooley, Harold Ford Jr., Ron Kind, Rick Larsen, Carolyn McCarthy, Jim Moran, Tim Roemer, Adam Schiff, Adam Smith, and Ellen Tauscher...



http://www.senate.gov/~graham/sndc_pr022601.html

[shance]

4. This is the difference between Kerry and Dean

I know Dean isnt a senator so he couldnt have voted, but this is what bothers me about Kerry, and this is where I know instinctively that Dean would have followed through on what was right, and what was right was NOT to sign this bill.

Kerry looks good and sounds good, (although his lackluster energy should show Americans a lack of real conviction) but when Kerry's true commitment is needed, you could also throw in a little courage, he's either absent from an important vote, or he votes for something that is the antithesis of logic and explanation.

On top of the "Get over it" comment regarding the 2000 election, the thumbs up vote on the war resolution, this man's actions are pretty pathetic, and the ultimate in playing it safe.

Now he calls for an investigation on Karl Rove, a noble move, well okay it SOUNDS GOOD (is their an echo in here?)

Cmon everyone, what in the world and who is going to investigate? How many so-called investigations have been SUCCESSFUL THESE DAYS? Im not saying dont have investigations, DO BY ALL MEANS, but putting some brave people on the investigative committees would be a more novel beginning. So far, John Kerry has not shown much courage in my book really. Its just more talk from Kerry, of which hes very good at. But we have enough talkers, we need results.

Dean on the other hand is more in touch with Americans. Hes spent the entire year traveling and getting to know us. I dont think Kerry would know a Midwesterner if they threw milk in his face. Kerry has been in D.C. too long and is too out of touch with reality and what this country really needs and MUST HAVE in order quite frankly to survive.

[BayCityProgressive]

5. Does anyone know how Edwards voted? Or Graham?

[blm]

8. It wasn't an unfunded mandate when they voted.

It became an unfunded mandate once Bush cut its funding in his budget. The Dems are fighting him on this.

To say they voted for an unfunded mandate is not true and won't hold up.

Bush will be held accountable because it's another LIE.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

25. You're right.

The un-funding came from ChimpCo.

We have to wait and see if the funding is replaced.

[Cheswick2.0]

16. I don't think Dean would have voted against it

I think it is fair to call Dean somewhat conservative.

[NoKingGeorge]

6. Kerry a Rove operative?

Why is Kerry talking about agreeing with Awol and accusing Rove of speaking to a group about a conservation issue?

We just had an eloquent indictment of this cabal with historic implications and Kerry distracts with BS?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

9. "Dean a Rove operative?"

so much for BS subject lines.

You've mixed a few stories together in you comment, are you taking issue with the answers Kerry gave to the questions put to him? Where do you agree or disagree with what he said? Are you saying Rove should not be investigated for corruption?

[robbedvoter]

11. I don't care who came up with this monstruosity - Kennedy, Kerry

bushco - everyone who voted for it is responsible.

"But some in the audience wanted to hold Kerry accountable for supporting the 2002 law, which requires states that accept federal money to broaden academic testing, triple spending for literacy programs and meet new standards for pupil performance. "
Study for tests and buy software from my brother - it's all a horrible scam to syphon money from public education for bushco and destroy the curriculla as well. It stinks and this is one angry mother that will remember come the primaries.

[indictrichardperle]

13. you CANT count on DLC dems

to keep us out of future PNAC wars in the middle east. I dont trust Kerry at all.

Dean will stop the armegeddon assholes in their tracks.

[blm]

26. Hahah...Dean was the poster boy for the DLC

for 11 years.

YOU trust his 7 month old conversion to the left. I am not that gullible.

[Cheswick2.0]

14. UGH, he did?

He voted for that thing? It is nothing but union busting bullshit. That legislation is hurting kids not helping. Kerry should have listened to the teachers unions.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

15. If Kerry voted against something called the "No Child Left Behind Act"

it would be as dangerous as voting against another thing called the "PATRIOT" act. Again, another potential grenade handed to the Senator(s) from the evil and devious GOP plotters, who are looking to entrap the Dems in a war of words, snapshots, and soundbites intended to mislead the sheeple.

[Cheswick2.0]

17. not if you tell people why it is the opposite of what it is titled

I don't give a damn what they call it. It should have been called "bust the unions and break public education's behind". You don't vote for shit because they call it cake, you call it what it is and vote against it.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

20. If Kerry had the "floor" 24/7 then he would be at liberty to do so.

But since Kerry doesn't control the media he would be at the mercy of the "spin". Now, show me how Kerry has been trying to destroy public education his whole career.

[Pikku]

23. Truth in Labeling does not apply.

LOL Cheswick, exactly.

A more truthful name for the bill would have been "Let's milk the school cow dry, boys." Bill titles shouldn't be important, though. Shouldn't the legislators be voting on the CONTENT?

The bill is a lavish gift to companies that provide "educational products and services," namely tests, curricula/reform programs and textbooks.

http://www.commondreams.org/views02/0111-04.htm

[robbedvoter]

21. Why should I trust that as POTUS he'd veto something called

"the Constitutional right to work" that the Congress would send him (against unions) or "The America is best war against Iran" Will he want people to think he;s on the Iranians' side?
he'll very likely have to deal with a hostile Congress - he showed us how exactly he'll do it!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

28. if it's bad he will veto it

Kerry has proven he will do what's right.

[Aaron]

22. Was he unopposed for reelection in Mass.? (n/t)

[seventhson]

24. Kerry is such an a$$hole

Bush supporter. Fake hero. Skull brother of Bushes.


Vomitous

[blm]

27. You're a real card...

btw...check out Thom Hartmann for Dean's stance on what kind of judges he wanted to appoint in Vermont (1997). Chilling.

[dsc]

29. This was a massive unfunded mandate from the get go

While Bush's actions made it much worse than it otherwise would have been it was a turkey no matter how it was basted.

It requires schools to use college educated aids for kindergarden and sph classes. These are very low paid positions which don't require college. They are there to help with discipline and orgainization. This bill had the effect of making schools do without aids all together or to pay much more for them. Funding given for this nada.

It requires all racial and ethnic components in a school to pass these tests. So if a school has say 2 Vietnamese students and 1 passes the whole school fails. Requiring the school to spend its money on tutoring, etc for every single child whose parents ask. Funding given for this nada.

Just those alone amounted to massive unfunded mandates for schools.