School Choice
April 2, 2012 - by
For all the millions of dollars and words expended, elections always come down to simple choices that can be captured in a few words. In the governor’s race, it looks like the choice will come down to Pat McCrory’s “fix the problems” versus the Democrat’s “invest in education.”
That could be a disastrous framing for Democrats. North Carolinians don’t look any more eager than other Americans to “invest” (spend) anything right now.
That’s the general election, of course. The primary is different. Democratic voters probably are more concerned over education budget cuts. Surely school administrators are, which is why the Democratic candidates talked about spending before that group last week.
Judging from coverage of the event, Bill Faison probably had the sharpest message.
As Rob Christensen reported: “He has been the candidate who has been most out front in pushing for the restoration of the three-quarters cent sales tax to help fund education. He began building support for restoring the sales tax last summer among his fellow lawmakers, traveling around the state.”
But whoever wins the primary will have to look hard at framing the debate for the fall. A choice between “more spending” and “more reform” may not work.
In the Wake County school board races last year, the choice wasn’t about money. Democrats made the race a referendum on the Tea Party controlling the schools. That probably won’t have the same resonance statewide this year.
Without some creative thinking (and research), the choice this fall could get away from Democrats.
School Choice
April 2, 2012/
For all the millions of dollars and words expended, elections always come down to simple choices that can be captured in a few words. In the governor’s race, it looks like the choice will come down to Pat McCrory’s “fix the problems” versus the Democrat’s “invest in education.”
That could be a disastrous framing for Democrats. North Carolinians don’t look any more eager than other Americans to “invest” (spend) anything right now.
That’s the general election, of course. The primary is different. Democratic voters probably are more concerned over education budget cuts. Surely school administrators are, which is why the Democratic candidates talked about spending before that group last week.
Judging from coverage of the event, Bill Faison probably had the sharpest message.
As Rob Christensen reported: “He has been the candidate who has been most out front in pushing for the restoration of the three-quarters cent sales tax to help fund education. He began building support for restoring the sales tax last summer among his fellow lawmakers, traveling around the state.”
But whoever wins the primary will have to look hard at framing the debate for the fall. A choice between “more spending” and “more reform” may not work.
In the Wake County school board races last year, the choice wasn’t about money. Democrats made the race a referendum on the Tea Party controlling the schools. That probably won’t have the same resonance statewide this year.
Without some creative thinking (and research), the choice this fall could get away from Democrats.