Hillary Clinton Wins Key Endorsement From American Federation of Teachers

[Scootaloo]

31. Apparently they don't even let their membership see the candidate's answers to questions...

http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/op-ed_serving_up_a_preferred_candidate/#.VaGBlqQgGsB.twitter

This feeling was confirmed when an AFT union member contacted me this week, upset about AFT’s process for endorsing a candidate in the upcoming presidential election:

I listened to a town hall meeting from the AFT . . . The first 1/2 hour was Randi speaking about (selling) the transparency and inclusiveness (my words) of AFT leadership before they decide who to endorse for President. She talked about sending the attached questionnaire to all the candidates and receiving responses from Democrats only. After the questionnaires the candidates were invited to be interviewed.

The purpose of the town hall meeting . . . was to allow members to ask questions.

I pushed [zero] and spoke to a very friendly person. I had to tell her my question before going in the cue. My question was: “Where can I find a copy of the candidates’ answers to the questionnaires and a transcript of the interviews?” Obviously, I was not chosen to ask this question publicly. However, Randi announced that everyone who had waited and did not get a chance to ask their question could email her to get their answer.

I emailed her and this was her response: “We promised the candidates that we would not distribute questionnaires beyond the Exec Council — that’s why we are trying to do it orally as part of these Town Halls. Why don’t I send you the questionnaire and then you give me a sense of which of the questions you want answered.”

AFT political director John Ost did indeed send my contact the questionnaire, but this just raised more questions, because the candidate questionnaire clearly stated: “The AFT has prepared this questionnaire to gauge your views on issues of concern to our members . . . Please note that your answers will be made available to our members and posted on the AFT public website.”

So much for transparency and inclusiveness. Who wants to bet which of the Democratic candidates doesn’t want their positions on teachers unions and education made widely available?