Figuring Out Why the Union President (and Her Kids) Back Barack Obama

Kim Ursetta, the president of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA) tells this little story yesterday:

One of my twins (6 yrs. old; first grade) was really sad when he came home from school today. It seems that another boy in his class told him he was “stupid.” I asked why the boy would say something like that, and my son was so upset. He told me that the boy “was just mad ’cause I won’t vote for McCain… I’m only voting for Obama!”

I’m not going to tell you who my mom and dad plan to vote for President. It’s not important for me to do so. But I know I’d be in trouble from them if I called anyone “stupid” – especially just because they might support someone different than my parents do. It simply isn’t nice.

I’ve told you about the Presidential campaign before. On the issue of education, there are reasons to be hopeful about both candidates (as well as reasons to be skeptical).

But I had to scratch my head and wonder why the Denver teachers union president has her kids so excited about Barack Obama, especially after the NEA convention she attended booed Obama for his comments on performance pay and charter schools.

My Education Policy Center friend Ben then suggested it might have something to do with the luxury skybox view of Obama’s Invesco Field speech that she and other union leaders received, compliments of the dues and fees of hard-working teachers union members–and even some non-union members.

I am thankful that my own teacher doesn’t talk to us about her political views. I don’t know if she supports John McCain, Barack Obama, Ralph Nader, or Bob Barr, for that matter. But I wonder if some of her money is going to help support political candidates she doesn’t like.