NH Educators To Endorse Clinton, Huckabee (liberal NEA chapter hearts Huck)

WMUR ^ | December 5, 2007

[ellery]

Huckabee First Republican Endorsee

CONCORD, N.H. -- The New Hampshire chapter of the National Education Association has endorsed Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Republican Gov. Mike Huckabee in their parties' primaries, sources said Wednesday.

This is the first time the 16,000-member group has endorsed a Republican candidate, despite estimates that a quarter of its members are Republicans.

"(Huckabee) made quite an impression with his stand on education issues," said an NEA source with knowledge of the vote, speaking on the condition of anonymity because the union had not yet made its decision public. "The criteria we use for making a recommendation are standards in education and issues that important to members. We don't get into social issues and issues of foreign policy. We stick to education, retirement, health care."

The members will meet later this week to announce the Clinton endorsement. Leaders are trying to schedule another meeting to announce Huckabee's endorsement soon.

Huckabee was the only Republican to speak at the national NEA meeting in Philadelphia in July.

A spokeswoman confirmed the union would endorse Clinton Thursday but declined to say why the group is supporting Clinton.

"She wants to give it one shot and put it all out there tomorrow," Carol Backus said.

The group's endorsement of Clinton is not a surprise. She has aggressively courted the union and gave a policy speech to the group's conference in March. In it, she criticized the Bush administration for outsourcing teaching to private tutoring companies, arguing that many firms have close ties to Republicans.

Clinton enjoyed strong support among the appointed government relations committee. The New Hampshire elected executive board accepted the recommendation of the government relations committee on Friday.

John Edwards' presidential campaign has actively sought the endorsement. Scott McGilvray, president of the Manchester Education Association, endorsed John Edwards recently. The Manchester chapter is the largest affiliate and Edwards' aides had hoped it would help sway the larger body.

The executive director of the union, Terry Shumaker, is a former ambassador under President Bill Clinton and chaired his primary campaigns in 1992 and 1996.

The state group endorsed Gov. Howard Dean's bid in 2004.

[ellery]

This liberal chapter has never endorsed a republican before.

[Man50D]

That should give another clear indication of how far the GOP has been and is moving towards the socialist left. The GOP send a strong signal to Conservatives it will no longer continue to abandon what once was it’s core Conservative base by nominating Duncan Hunter for President.

[ellery]

Below are some of the issues the NH NEA chapter is pushing. I find it extremely troubling that this liberal group likes Huckabee so much that he’s the first GOP candidate they’ve ever endorsed.

Higher Education - DREAM Act: Tell your U.S. Senators and Representative to give talented students the opportunity to excel and contribute to our country by passing the DREAM Act/American Dream Act.

Vouchers: Tell your Senators and Representative to oppose private school vouchers.

Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA): Tell your Representative to Cosponsor the Employment Non-Discrimination Act

Reject Test-based Pay Programs: Tell Members of Congress to reject proposals that impose test-based pay programs on teachers without their agreement.

Family Medical Leave Enhancement Act: Tell your Representatives in Congress to support the Family Medical Leave Enhancement Act

Higher Education - Academic Freedom: Tell your U.S. Senators and Representatives: Protect academic freedom and the free and open exchange of ideas by rejecting proposals such as the “Academic Bill of Rights.” (note: the Academic Bill of Rights is a GOP initiative pushed by David Horowitz and opposed by many liberal organizations)

http://capwiz.com/nea/nh/issues/?style=D&state=NH

[Kuksool]

The NH NEA wants Chuck Norris’s running mate because he would be easy to defeat in November 2008. Also a Huckabee endorsement would be used by liberal pundits to say that NEA is non-partisan.

[ellery]

I noticed you had a Huck ping list — I thought you might be interested in this.

(Also, would you mind adding me to your list?) :)

[trane250]

The NH NEA wants Chuck Norris’s running mate because he would be easy to defeat in November 2008.

The "National Extortion Association" does not endorse politicians because they would be easy to defeat. They endorse politicians who they feel are sympathetic to their underlying philosophy and goals and who would support programs and initiatives that bring the same to fruition.

Huckabee is a church liberal. This endorsement is conclusive proof.

[ellery]

One more to consider for your Huckabee list...

[SUSSA]

Thanks

[ellery]

Belated ping — I see you have a Huck list too.

Also, would you mind adding me? Thanks!