In Minnesota, shameless Democrats turned an alleged memorial service for the late Sen. Paul Wellstone into a boisterous political rally for their new senatorial candidate - in Florida, they're exploiting children in a sordid attempt to defeat Gov. Jeb Bush.
Longtime Democrat activist Pat Tornillo, president of United Teachers of Dade, sent an e-mail message to Miami-Dade County teachers asking them to send notes home with their students urging parents to vote for Bill McBride for governor.
"Bill McBride should immediately call on his supporters and the people running his campaign to stop using children for his own political gain," said Todd Harris, communication director of the Bush-Brogan Campaign. "It is shameful to ask teachers to use their position of authority and influence over students in this manner."
McBride is the handpicked candidate of the National Education Association (NEA) and its affiliate the Florida Education Association (FEA), which two years ago mortgaged its headquarters building to raise $1.7 million for a campaign war chest to help Democrats defeat Gov. Bush, who they blame for foiling their attempts to steal the presidential election in Florida.
Here is the text of Tornillo's e-mail:
Subj. Send a note home to parents about the election
Date: 10/30/2002 11:27:42 AM Eastern Standard Time
From: Pat@UTOFD.com
Sent from the Internet
As President of the United Teachers of Dade I am asking our members to send the following note home to the parents of their students:
As your child's teacher, I ask you to vote on November 5. Miami-Dade County's teachers support Bill McBride, Amendments 8, 9 & 11. We feel the future of public education has never been at greater risk.
The election of Bill McBride and passage of these amendments will significantly improve public education in Florida.
Please make sure these notes are received in the homes no later than Monday, November 4th. Together, we CAN make a difference in this election. It is within our grasp.
Sincerely, Pat Tornillo, President United Teachers of Dade
As your child's teacher, I ask you to vote on November 5. Miami-Dade County's teachers support Bill McBride, Amendments 8, 9 & 11. We feel the future of public education has never been at greater risk.
Pssssst. Publik Scrools are a tax exempt organization because they don't get involved in political matters. Pass it on.