DNC chairman’s school visit sparks anger among Portsmouth city officials

Foster's Online ^ | 12-17-2003 | PAT McGOWAN

[HapaxLegamenon]

DNC chairman’s school visit sparks anger among Portsmouth city officials By PAT McGOWAN

Democrat Staff Writer

PORTSMOUTH — Several city officials are furious over the Democratic National Committee chairman’s recent visit to Portsmouth High School, who they feel turned a social studies lesson into a one-sided bashing of President Bush.

After requesting to visit the school, Terry McAuliffe was allowed by Principal Forrest Ransdell to come to teach what the principal believed to be social studies classes on democracy and the political process. However, several city officials are livid over what they say turned into a biased Democratic view of Republican President Bush’s term of office.

During the presentation, McAuliffe told students that due to Bush’s mismanagement of the country, 70 percent of college graduates will not be able to find a job upon graduation. He also told students that if the war in Iraq continues as it has, there could be a reinstatement of the draft.

"He comes into the school and just says what he wants," City Councilor Bill St. Laurent said. "At what point does he stop his politicking to the point of scare tactics? Saying that the draft may come back, and kids cant find jobs, those are scare tactics. He is out trying to get votes. This is taxpayers money, excuse me, but this is my tax dollar and I don’t want to use my tax dollar for his pulpit."

St. Laurent said there should be a measure of checks and balances in such presentations, limiting speakers to a nonpartisan discussion.

"I am just furious. I am not saying that he can come in and bash the president and then the Republicans come in and praise the president," St. Laurent said.

"I don’t have a problem with it as long as they represent each party, be it my side or either," City Councilor Evelyn Marconi said. "I think something just really got out of hand, and I think what happened is he spoke out of turn."

According to school Superintendent Lyonel Tracy, McAuliffe was allowed to speak to the students by Principal Forrest Ransdell as a civic lesson.

"If other representatives contacted us, we would act similarly," Tracy said. "To deprive our kids of the opportunity of seeing democracy in action would be a disservice to them. The trick is that we don’t exploit these kids for their own partisan agendas."

Tracy said Republicans, Democrats, and independents have frequently come to the school to talk to students.

"Unfortunately we don’t always have control over what people say once they are introduced," Tracy said.

Aiming to ease tensions, School Board member Raimond Bowles has asked New Hampshire Republican state chairman Jayne Millerick to also speak to the social studies classes.

"All I have been trying to do is to be a sense of balance," Bowles said. "Our high school students are more than capable of making up their own minds. I have decided from the outset to get a counterpart, a titled Republican official, so that she can respond to the comments of McAuliffe on that day."

It has yet to be confirmed whether Millerick will be allowed admittance to speak by Ransdell.

[Puppage]

He also told students that if the war in Iraq continues as it has, there could be a reinstatement of the draft.

Nice to see the rats get back to what they do best....SCARE TACTICS.

[gunnedah]

These fanatic SOB's will stoop to any kind of low and the person that authorized this should be suspended without pay.
Partisan politics should never be allowed in schools.

[Steve_Seattle]

Anyone in the school district who thought that they could trust Terry McAuliffe to speak at a high school without turning it into a partisan bash-Bush opportunity needs to have his or her head examined.

[Egon]

After requesting to visit the school, Terry McAuliffe was allowed by Principal Forrest Ransdell to come to teach what the principal believed to be social studies classes on democracy and the political process.

I'm assuming the principal must be a Democrat. Otherwise, there's not a chance in hell that he would be surprised. Either that, or he's lying. ...or more likely both.

[Callahan]

Poor Terry's message of doom and gloom isn't going over well with the adult public so he takes his bile straight to the young. Glad to see these school officials speak up.

[Leavemealone]

I guess this principal never heard of Paul Wellstone?

[princess leah]

FIRE that incompetent liberal hack Superintendent! If I were a parent, I'd yank my kids out of there yesterday and encourage everyone I know to do the same...no school, no pay for superintendent!

[jalisco555]

Not only did he use typical Dem scare tactics in an inappropriate forum he showed he's an idiot as well. All he did was create more Republican voters by angering a townful of people.

[UCANSEE2]

Yeah. A "and no partisan politics, or I kick your ass, and you will never speak in any school again", would have sufficed.

Anyone who asks Terry McAuliffe to speak,and doesn't expect the worst, would have to be totally ignorant.

(so, this person being in the education system, and being apparently politically ignorant means....?)

I mean, come on, Terry is known as the SPINMEISTER.

It would be like inviting EMINEM to the school, and surprised if he discusses RAP.

[Callahan]

I wouldn't let a slug like McCauliffe anywhere near my kid. However, I would let my kid slug McCauliffe.

[Onelifetogive]

Partisan politics should never be allowed in schools.

If they eliminated "partisan politics" from public schools, that would free-up seven or eight hours a day for topics such as reading, writing and arithmetic. The students then might actually learn something about these topics. Where would the Dims be then??? This will NEVER be allowed to happen!

[RWR8189]

To deprive our kids of the opportunity of seeing democracy in action would be a disservice to them

Exactly how does the chairman of a political party represent democracy?

[OldFriend]

Neither Terry McAuliff or anyone else in the demonrat party represents democracy in action. Quite the contrary.

[Spiff]

A local school district sent busloads of 8th graders to yesterday's anti-Bush hatefest/Howard Dean rally in Sierra Vista, Arizona. At the hatefest, Dean supporters beat up a man carrying a sign questioning Howard Dean's service history.

See this thread for more info.

[theDentist]

"... there could be a reinstatement of the draft."

And who's pushing for a reinstatement? Top Democrats. Who's resisting it? Republicans.

[HardStarboard]

>>>Partisan politics should never be allowed in schools.<<

Tell that to the NEA.

If such a policy was adopted, 75% (and I'm being conservative) of the school teachers wouldn't be allowed in the doors!

[BamaAndy]

The chairman of the Republican party should now be invited in order to straighten out the record with the truth. terry hasn't said a word if he doesn't lie. Outrageous... how dare the superintendent foster this bull on kids. They are taking us to a revolution slowly and surely--we'll have to in order to restore a true constitutional government.

[RWR8189]

I guess I should count myself among the extremely lucky, at my son's high school, both of his history teachers, and this year his economics/government teacher are conservative Republicans. This is a public school in the Chicago burbs.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

Didn't they have any local politicians to invite who are also full of feces?