Can a Democrat or even Hillary win without Union Support?

[LWolf]

10. But they get Union support even when they shouldn't.

For example, my union endorsed Barack Obama, even after he told people quite clearly that he and teachers didn't always get along, and even though he didn't show up in person to speak to them.

When union leadership endorses a candidate, it doesn't really seem to matter how many of the union members themselves don't. I remember it being pointed out to me repeatedly that, since my union endorsed him, I ought to be supporting him.

And then he was elected and appointed Arne Duncan, and put his own steroid enhanced version of NCLB on the table: RTTT and the waivers from NCLB that require, among many other things, an increased presence of high-stakes testing.

The bottom line? My union ought to have a bottom line this time around: no more privatization of education, no more high-stakes testing. If my union leadership won't draw that line in the sand and stand on it, I sure as fuck will. If they expect me to support their endorsement, they'd better endorse a candidate that will, as well.

Oh, the TPP...that one is a deal-breaker, as well, although I really think that a union of educators ought to be putting education policy first.