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Education and Presidential Politics
October 15, 2008
After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come.
-Nelson Mandela
In the first Presidential debate on September 26, Barack Obama was asked what he would cut back in his plans due to the huge bailout bill. He responded by saying there are a few things he would not pull back on and specifically mentioned "early childhood education." When these words popped out, all early childhood advocates sat up and took notice, because education is not a word that has been heard many times in the current presidential campaign.

According to Arnold Fege of Public Education Network interviewed in the Puget Sound Business Journal, "For some reason in 2004, everyone wanted to be the education president. In 2008, nobody wants to be the education president." Fege, PEN's director of public engagement and advocacy, adds that in 2004, much of the public's attention was generated by the No Child Left Behind Act, while this year 38 states are cutting their spending on education. All the same, the link between education and the economy seems clear. "People are not saying that education is not important," observes the pollster Mark Hibbits, but "the issue of the day — and the remainder of this presidential race — is going to be dealing with finance and economic issues."



With the election drawing close, we are eager to see how ExchangeEveryDay readers view the educational platforms of the two candidates. Vote now in this week's Exchange Insta Poll and express your presidential choice. We will be tracking voters who are U.S. citizens as well as those who are not.

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Comments (8)

Displaying 5 of 8 Comments   [ View all ]
Cindy Cadwell · October 21, 2008
Creedmoor Road Baptist PReschool
Raleigh, NC, United States


Mr. Obama really knows how to get our votes, but will he remember us once he is elected? Whomever is elected, it is up to us, as parents and educators, to do the best with what we have. Hopefully, someone will realize that these precious little ones will one day be "grown-ups." And GREED will not be the word of the day!

Lisa Boni · October 16, 2008
United States


I find that only in America would a person so narrowly reason the option for a president by basing their decision to vote on one comment made by a candidate. I have friends and relatives who pick one topic and make their decision, a decision that could cost us our freedom, our security and our future, based on what? Whether or not you agree with one pledge or idea a candidate has? There will never be a perfect candidate!
You have to research these people and choose the one that will best lead our country.
I am an early childhood educator as well as an instructor at the college level. I have been in this field for 18 years and feel very passionate about the needs of our nations’ children. However, I am most certainly not voting for the man because he made one pledge, that he may never keep, about early childhood funding.
Wake up people, we have a lot more to loose in this election than education dollars.

Terry Wright · October 15, 2008
United States


correction to previous post:
www.barackobama.com, sorry!

Terry Wright · October 15, 2008
United States


I encourage everyone to visit the campaign websites and read the positions on early education at:
www.johnmccain.com (click on issues/education) and www.barackobamal.com (issues/education).

Polly Trump · October 15, 2008
Del Mar Hills Nursery School Inc.
Del Mar, CA, United States


It should be noted that President Bush has spent more than double than any other president in history on education, so if we are going to compare dollars to dollars, President Bush so far has been the President on Education



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