It was billed as the first debate among the Democratic candidates about education, but Tuesday’s event was more notable for the absence of City Council Speaker and mayoral candidate Christine Quinn and the presence of newly minted contender Anthony Weiner than the actual positions argued.
The former congressman, who left office because of a sexting scandal, was swarmed by photographers as he took his seat. He seemed to relish the attention, opting to stand while answering questions and making sweeping gestures as though he was holding court at a town meeting instead of laying out an education agenda to a modest group of parents, teachers and policy wonks at New York University.
...
As the newest candidate in the ring, Weiner seemed more comfortable at times with his trademark wit and pugilistic style than with the finer details of education policy. He often looked at his notes, and at one point was caught without an opinion when all of the candidates were asked if former City Council member Eva Moskowitz had been given too much license by the Bloomberg administration to open her Success Academy charter schools in district school buildings.
“I have no bloody idea,” he said, before adding with a laugh, “sure, seems to be the answer of the day.”
He hasn't thought about education at all.
It's obvious from how he handled the debate questions.
All he's trying to do, by tacking to the right on issues like school discipline and merit pay, is to set himself apart from the other candidates.
But it's clear he doesn't really care about public education policy or schools all that much - or policy or governing in general.
This was all about Anthony Weiner being the center of attention again, the straw that stirs the drink as another ego maniac, Reggie Jackson, once put it about his own need for attention.
That he's picking up support even as it becomes clear he's not very interested in governing as mayor, but is interested in the perks and the attention he'll get as mayor, is very, very troubling.
No comments:
Post a Comment