“The party founded on the values of self reliance and national unity… those are values we all share… and while the Democratic party claims those values tonight, we do so with a measure of humility…” President-elect Barack Obama

The Center for Education Reform (CER) salutes the President-elect, Barack Obama, whose victorious grassroots and media effort to win election is one that all of us involved in education reform should consider in any effort we undertake from this day forward. Door to door, store to bus-stop, Wall Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, the Obama campaign is a reminder that to get the attention of the people and secure their support, we must do more than send out a few missives by email, or even wait for solutions to come our way.

More “Opportunities”

What the history books don’t, but should, teach us.

The song that bears the title of this piece is the one you most likely hear when attending a graduation ceremony. You wouldn’t hear it played at a Sophomore end of year party, any more than you’d hear it played on the senior class trip. No, Pomp and Circumstance is a tradition that signifies a graduation and its celebratory tone is intended only for that occasion.

Similarly, it is only acceptable to play the one and only presidential march, entitled Hail to the Chief, after the new president of the United States has been inaugurated. Written by Albert Ganse and set to music by James Sanderson, Hail to the Chief was made the official music to announce the president in 1954. One rarely hears the words, but they are illustrative.

Hail to the Chief we have chosen for the nation,
Hail to the Chief! We salute him, one and all.
Hail to the Chief, as we pledge cooperation
In proud fulfillment of a great, noble call.

Yours is the aim to make this grand country grander,
This you will do, that’s our strong, firm belief.
Hail to the one we selected as commander,
Hail to the President! Hail to the Chief!

Notice the emphasis in the words. But today, like so many other things in this campaign, basic respect for the traditions developed and adopted in this great democracy have been thrown aside.

More “Pomp and Circumstance”

Eduwonk’s otherwise smart and honorable leader Andy Rotherham told a major charter group recently - in terms of a president Obama - “if education is your issue you have nothing to worry about.”

Really?

Just a few days ago, Democrats for Education Reform blogger Whitney Tilson, also a smart, honorable (albeit partisan ☺) guy, had this to say about the candidates on education:

“… but I give him credit in one area: what he said about education, in which he hit all the right buttons: education as the main civil rights issue today, the alarming number of failing schools, the need to shake up awful bureaucracies, empowering parents with choice, including charter schools, etc.”

Fearless Whitney continues:

“This led one of my friends to write: ‘This decision is going to be tough…. VERY tough for us single issue voters. As powerful as an Obama candidacy is, and as much as I disagree with our misguided involvement in Iraq, there just simply is no contest between McCain and Obama on education reform. Did you hear him tonight? McCain gets it. I am sad to say that I STILL don’t know if Obama does.’”

I won’t address any other aspect of this campaign, but on this issue, Whitney’s friend is on to something. Want to know why? Click here to read our analysis of the presidential candidates. Our single-issue focus necessitated this in depth look.