Look Beyond the Labels...The Support for Charters Really is Bipartisan

A lot to mull over, and be astonished by, in Tuesday’s election results, but let’s make one emphatic point. Charter schools are pulling support from both sides of the aisle, and to an extent folks may not appreciate.

Sure we have to deal with irreconcilables like Ohio Governor Ted Strickland (who got one legislative chamber closer to his goal of a charter moratorium), but consider the following:

• The President-elect promised to double federal funding for charter schools, and has just named as his Chief of Staff a Democratic House leader - Rep. Rahm Emanuel - who sponsored $300 million in new funding for charters.
• In New York State, the Senate turned to Democratic control for the first time in decades, but it will be led by Malcolm Smith – who not only supports charter schools but helped found two of them. And he’ll be working with Governor David Paterson, another charter ally.
• The Colorado legislature will be headed by the sole African-American in each house – and both Speaker Terrance Carroll and Senate President Peter Groff are fervent charter supporters.
• And on the federal level, a bunch of new Dems (Mark Warner (VA) in the Senate, Jared Polis (CO) and Jim Himes (CT) in the House) “get” the “new schools” concept -- and in Polis’ case, made his political mark on it.

Saying this does not diminish by an iota the appreciate we have for longtime GOP allies, nor our regret at losing stalwarts like Elizabeth Dole. But to those in our movement who are tempted to gnash their teeth over Dem gains – or to see hidden agendas among our new friends – get over it! We have opportunities galore in this new political landscape.

NS