Democratic gubernatorial candidates in Oregon just aren't what they used to be-at least in the eyes of the Oregon Education Association. The teachers union spent Saturday auditioning six likely contenders for the Governor's Mansion, but decided to delay its endorsement because none of the six made a match as the union's candidate. The editorial board of The Oregonian offers an explanation: "In our view, no responsible, electable candidate for governor could fully satisfy the teachers union...and still win office in November.... Not if the teachers union holds to its general position that nothing ails Oregon schools that more money would not solve." The editorial then issues a call to "change the school debate." It's a start, and The Oregonian now joins a growing number of editorial boards (see here) that question union orthodoxy and rightly wonder whether simply handing out more money will improve public schools (it won't). As for the OEA, it can always endorse a green party candidate, or maybe a communist?
"Speaking truth to the teachers union," The Oregonian, March 14, 2006