The Washington Post is reporting today that the McCain campaign is going against the rules of the Fairfax VA school district by holding a political rally at a highschool during the school day.
Political expediency once again trumps social concerns, community rules and child welfare for the McCain campaign.
Sen. John McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, are holding a campaign rally at Fairfax High School tomorrow morning in violation of a school system policy, prompting some teachers and community leaders to question district officials.
According to the Fairfax County policy, which addresses how the community can use school facilities, “School buildings and grounds may not be used for campaign activities during school hours.”
Having just volunteered at a Biden Townhall in the evening at a local highschool, I am very familiar with how hard the Obama/Biden campaign works to avoid disrupting students. Even thought the event was held in the evening outside of school hours, all volunteers were instructed several times on where and when to come and go before and after the event to minimize the impact on students. It appears that the political gain of a few highschool votes is more valuable to the McCain campaign than the education of American children.
Several teachers, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they fear retribution, raised concerns about the political event.
“This is in the middle of a school day. The entire school day is going to be disrupted, and this gives an indication of support for his candidacy. That bothers me,” one Fairfax County school teacher said.
Organizers are asking attendees to “please wear something red to remind everyone to keep Virginia red this November.”
Fairfax City Mayor Robert F. Lederer, a Republican who helped plan the event, defended the rally, noting Obama’s appearance at Robinson.
“This is something that I see has broad support for its educational component,” Lederer said. “The Obama people did it this summer. I think the precedent was probably set during that period, whether it was a good decision or not.”
Mayor Lederer should read the rules before starting his mouth. The Obama campaign held an event during the summer months at Robinson Highschool, which is withing the rules of the school district since school was not in session.
Del. Kristen J. Amundson (D-Fairfax), who served on the Fairfax County School Board from 1991 to 2000, said she was shocked that school officials authorized the event.
“This is almost unprecedented, to have a rally in a school building in the middle of the school day with kids present,” Amundson said.
Amundson said that for years, Fairfax school officials have resisted calls to hold political events while students are in class.
Well, we are used to the Mavericks in the McCain/Palin camp failing to respect the little people, but we didn’t think they were talking about children.