September 22, 2010
Chafee Just Doesn't Understand....Race to the Top
"I'm wary of Race to the Top." So says Lincoln Chafee, as he vaguely expresses concern over the long term state and municipal obligations that he implies could be generated by federal Race to the Top money. Except there really aren't any because the goal of Race to the Top is to accelerate current (ie; already underway) education reform by helping pay for studies, computer systems, etc. that will help with such things as new teacher evaluation programs and the like. These reforms are intended to replace, not add onto, existing programs.
Chafee is simply playing a political game here. His spokesman, Mike Trainor, was on with WPRO's Dan Yorke trying to spin this as Chafee expressing merely "cautionary" concerns, not criticism of RTTT. As Yorke explained, though, such expressions of "caution" are meant to be taken as criticism. Yorke calling it a "trial balloon" is spot on. The target? Most likely those within the education establishment with concerns about RTTT. Especially given that Chafee also lumped RTTT with No Child Left Behind, a favorite talking point of anti-RTTT folks.
I just don't get Chafee. You have to try really hard to position yourself on the wrong side of every issue. RTTT is one of Obama's few successes, and education is one of the few areas where he is making real progress. But this is where Chafee starts to disagree. It's bizarre.
RTTT should be a model for federal intervention in state politics (when such intervention is warranted, of course). Usually the Feds either just dump money into the black hole of state finances or tie it to strict top-down rules. This is innovative; the Feds get to encourage reform while the states choose the path. Imagine if instead of just dumping money on states through the stimulus, that money had been tied to something like pension reform. That could have mitigated the effects of the recession while simultaneously helping the states with their long-term budget problems. Instead, it just propped up and delayed reform of unsustainable profligacy. Yet Chafee has no criticism of that.
Posted by: Mario at September 22, 2010 1:26 PMMario,
I'm going to be kind to you so my comment will not be removed (that's the only reason).
Chafee is not hard to understand at all. He simply marches in LOCK STEP with the public sector unions. He does precisely what they want.
When you view his comments through the "what would the union want" prism, you see that his positions make perfect sense.
Chafee is the most cynical politician I have ever met (only Scott Avedisian can rival him).
Go back and look at everything he's said, and you will see he's in to do the public sector union's bidding.
Unfortunately, with Caprio (Democrat light) and Robitaille, a fake Republican with no experience running an office and no real plan to save our state (he has no pension plan, in fact), splitting the vote, Caprion will get the nod for Governor.
Once again, RI will get the ABSOLUTE WORST candidate available. Even Elizabeth Roberts has pissed off the unions enough to the extent where she won't get their endorsement for Goveror. Chafee, however, will happily sell the taxpayers out to them.
Posted by: Rasputin at September 22, 2010 1:58 PMAs a little pawn of the unions, particularly the NEA-Nazis, you just can't believe or trust one thing Chafee says. It's all suspect.
The worst choice for governor in this race is Chafee.
If the unions want him - you don't!
The unions have destroyed the state of RI. The last thing we need is a union lackey as governor.
Mike Cappelli -NEA is about the worst group in the state.SEIU's members don't make much,so I kind of understand how they fall for the blandishments of that disgraceful outfit,but NEA's members do okay in these times and provide a living for the Pat Crowleys of this world-that is a crime.
FWIW Crowley once said it was a crime that I had an opportunity to voice an opinion.It was on the old Ian Donnis blog.
mike i have a feeling you are much closer to a Nazi than anyone in the teachers union. Once again you prove yourself to be a loudmouth who will say anything.
Posted by: triple richard at September 22, 2010 8:31 PMtriple dick,
You obviously mistake me for someone who cares what you "feel".
No Mike I realize, by the quality of your posts that you probably are the loudmouth you appear to be. Instead of calling someone Nazi perhaps you could offer some proof as to the Nea evil plans of genocide and war. That or you could just keep posting your knucklheaded insults.
Posted by: Triplerichard at September 23, 2010 9:49 AMtriple dick,
refer to my previous comment...union punk.
Well said Mike, just funny that a keyboard warrior would be referring to anyone as a punk, but given the regular level of discourse you display it comes as no surprise.
Posted by: Triplerichard at September 23, 2010 11:26 AM To say Chafee is the candidate of the unions is somewhat inaccurate.
The Teamsters and Laborers International, unions boasting muscle not just of the political and monetary variety, haven't lined up behind Chafee.
Rhody-of course the Laborers and Teamsters wouldn't necessarily(or even probably) be on the same page with teachers' unions.
It's like saying 18 wheelers and Mini Coopers both have tires,but there's little resemblance.