Posted on 09/10/2012 10:41:31 AM PDT by mandaladon
For the first time in nearly three decades, Chicago public school teachers went on strike this morning. At first glance, you might be tempted to think that what happens in Chicago has little to no effect on the politics of Washington and the presidential race. But, you’d be wrong. There are several reasons to believe that what happens in Chicago could have a real — and negative — impact on President Obama and the broader race for the White House this fall. We list the three biggest reasons below.
* It’s Chicago: Yes, we know that President Obama has no role — either way — in the strike. But, that the strike is happening in Chicago, the town where President Obama made his political name doesn’t help him. And that the current Chicago mayor, Rahm Emanuel, was Obama’s first presidential chief of staff isn’t much help either. Remember that Republicans are doing everything they can to link Obama to Chicago and Chicago-style politics — thinking that it will turn off independents in the middle of the country. That the teachers strike will be at (or close to) the top of every evening news show until it ends allows Republicans a daily news peg to remind people that Obama is from the Windy City.
* Labor, distracted: Organized labor has experienced a series of major setbacks over the past few years — from losing a Democratic primary challenge to Sen. Blanche Lincoln (Ark.)
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
With all respect to those who think this is a setup for Obama to save the day, I just don’t think this will happen. Obama cannot negotiate his way out of a paper bag, even if he is negotiating with friends.
The man is a disaster to all he touches. It is quite possible he will try to be the white knight and save the children, only to make it all worse.
They just don't care about those children!
GeronL~ “$16,000? or $1,600?”
On the table ,prior to the strike being initiated is a 16 % increase of salary ,over 4 years of the contract.
The rest is just political theatre .
That kind of talent certainly deserves a big raise.
They rejected a 16% raise??
Who offered that in this economy?
The taxpayers should riot.
http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/09/10/what-are-key-issues-in-chicago-public-school-strike/
The Chicago Teachers’ Union is the face of American labor.
Nice!
They should get a 16% pay cut in this economy
I could only find one black face in the photo on Drudge. Don't they have diversity in their hiring of teachers? I wonder what the racial and gender break-down is on the employed teachers. The Dems are always so big on minority hiring, it would be interesting to know how diverse this really group is.
I don’t think so.
If it doesn’t get solved in the coming week it will be nothing but a negative for Obama. It really is a damned if you do/don’t situation for him and I’m betting he’s not too pleased this has come up right now.
The unions got Rahm and Barry over the barrel (even though they may like the position)and no union is going to back down when they have an opportunity to not only strengthen their position now but strengthen their position for the future.
They will not let what happened in WI happen to them...they’ll want to show how the big boys do it.
If I’m completely wrong and Obama comes in on his white horse to save the day it will be so obvious politically even to the dumbest among this country that it was staged.
And here I thought that the three year contracts of 0-0-3 percent that were offered us by NY State were generous. Having worked in uniform in Corrections for 25 years, it ticked me off that the union always went for more money and benefits. My argument was to push for safer working conditions, which over the years had deteriorated greatly. What's the sense of making more money, and having more benefits, if you weren't alive to enjoy them.
Don't be silly - it's George Bush's fault.
That reply can only come from a person (thing) who cannot be anything but a gov-mint thug teacher!
Why the Chicago teacher’s strike is bad news for President Obama
___________________________________________
Its not...
Willard opened his big ugly mouth again and made it all about him instead...
The heats off Obama before it even got warm...
Obama will remain silent while the strike goes on for a few days. Obama will be “forced” to “help.” Obama will speak, the unions will bend with a “little less than they wanted.” The problem will be solved and a HUGE savings to the Illinois state budget will be reported as a sign of how effective these negotiations were.
Then the DNC and the media will start reporting how effective collective bargaining can be. We don't need the draconian state legislation enacted like in Wisconsin and Indiana. The unions are “helping” the states and the kids.
Obama looks like a savior. Rahm is praised by the unions and Obama. And the sheeple are led to believe there is some alternative to renegotiating ridiculous government employee union contracts.
The sheeple of Chicago laud their progressive city and are none the wiser about the foolery that is hammered upon them. I'm reminded of that old commercial back in the 90s....the young entrepreneurs are so excited with one kid running in circles cheering “IPO,...IPO,...IPO,....”
There are no republicans with any influence of significance that could possibly effect Education in Illinois. And there hasn't been in my lifetime.
anyhow, the bam can make a few statements, and the union can back down, and accept the pay raise, and everybody will swoon that he took on his union base, and mittens will still look like a mean ole big money union breaker that hates the lil guy, and his kids...
the rest of the 'R' talking heads will be trippin over their own johnsons making stupid statements...
Don’t underestimate the dumbness of the dumbest.
The trick is to get the progressives mad at Obama, make him take a stand and go after him from both ends.
Given Rs track record its hard to argue with you.
Obama would likely call for another teachers union stimulus and they will swoon over him and Romney will step in it. Or some dumb Republican candidate will say “We need to shutdown all public schools” then the fingerpointing and apologizing continues with another circular firing squad.
I think Rush overestimates the ability of Obama and the Democrats.
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