2016 Postmortem
Related: About this forumAFT process for endorsements is clearly stated in Hillary's endorsement
WHEREAS, traditionally, the endorsement is decided in two phases: For the primaries, the AFT executive council, which is elected by the convention delegates to represent the full membership, makes endorsement recommendations. For the general election, our convention chooses our candidate;
http://www.aft.org/resolution/endorsement-hillary-clinton
Sorry, folks. It's how it's always been done. Now back to the poutrage.
HooptieWagon
(17,064 posts)wyldwolf
(43,873 posts)... sore-loser type posts on a social media account.
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)If you know enough to put your nose in the air and be a smug told-ya-so about "how it really happened" then you know enough to address the concerns of union members who are upset.
If you don't know enough to address and respond to the concerns of union members, then you really have no room to proclaim to the rest of us "how it really happened"
wyldwolf
(43,873 posts)A: The AFT conducted an extensive process of researching the candidates' positions on the issues and engaging members to hear their thoughts about the issues and the candidates, including:
The AFT sent all candidates (both Democratic and Republican) a candidate questionnaire and invited those who completed the questionnaire to speak before the AFT's executive council. No Republican candidate completed a candidate questionnaire.
The AFT executive council, comprised of elected vice presidents and the AFT officers, met with and interviewed Hillary Clinton, Martin O'Malley and Bernie Sanders and analyzed their position on the key issues.
Most important, the AFT asked its members directly about the issues that matter to them and their opinions of the candidates through two polls, including a survey that reached out to more than 1 million AFT households; the "You Decide 2016" online forum; emailing e-activists to get member responses on the issues of importance to them; conducting multiple telephone town hall meetings; and having rank-and-file members ask questions directly of the presidential candidates during the June executive council meeting.
Additionally, the AFT commissioned a scientific survey of members by Hart Research Associates. The results of the survey provide a clear picture of where AFT members stand.
First, by an approximately 3-to-1 margin, AFT members prefer that a Democratic candidate win the presidential election over a Republican.
79 percent of Democratic voters support the AFT making a recommendation in the primary.
Among those voters, Hillary Clinton is preferred by members by a margin of more than 3-to-1 over her nearest Democratic competitor. (wow - similar to national polls!)
furthermore, Hillary Clinton holds a better than 11-to-1 advantage as the "Democrat with the best chance to defeat the Republican candidate." (wow - similar to national polls!)
- See more at: http://www.aft.org/questions-and-answers-about-afts-endorsement-hillary-clinton#sthash.SWhvMHZI.dpuf
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)You are certain that members were polled. But you also say that since you aren't a member, you don't know if they were polled or not.
Here's what a member of the union has to say about the process.
I listened to a town hall meeting from the AFT . . . The first 1/2 hour was Randi speaking about (selling) the transparency and inclusiveness (my words) of AFT leadership before they decide who to endorse for President. She talked about sending the attached questionnaire to all the candidates and receiving responses from Democrats only. After the questionnaires the candidates were invited to be interviewed.
The purpose of the town hall meeting . . . was to allow members to ask questions.
I pushed [zero] and spoke to a very friendly person. I had to tell her my question before going in the cue. My question was: Where can I find a copy of the candidates answers to the questionnaires and a transcript of the interviews? Obviously, I was not chosen to ask this question publicly. However, Randi announced that everyone who had waited and did not get a chance to ask their question could email her to get their answer.
I emailed her and this was her response: We promised the candidates that we would not distribute questionnaires beyond the Exec Council thats why we are trying to do it orally as part of these Town Halls. Why dont I send you the questionnaire and then you give me a sense of which of the questions you want answered.
AFT political director John Ost did indeed send my contact the questionnaire, but this just raised more questions, because the candidate questionnaire clearly stated: The AFT has prepared this questionnaire to gauge your views on issues of concern to our members . . . Please note that your answers will be made available to our members and posted on the AFT public website.
So much for transparency and inclusiveness. Who wants to bet which of the Democratic candidates doesnt want their positions on teachers unions and education made widely available?
http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/op-ed_serving_up_a_preferred_candidate/#.VaGBlqQgGsB.twitter
wyldwolf
(43,873 posts)... the process of endorsement - always done this way - should change because some don't feel the right candidate was endorsed. Why not be honest?
Here's what a member of the union has to say about the process.
What was this 'member of the union's' name?
Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)I'm saying that you are trying to have your argument both ways. Where one you are certain that a certain process was followed, and then you aren't certain, then you're certain again.
The union claims it polled its membership for this. The membership seems to disagree.
wyldwolf
(43,873 posts)Scootaloo
(25,699 posts)But if you think that Sarah Darer Littman - the author of the op-ed - is making it up, please provide backing for that claim.
wyldwolf
(43,873 posts)djean111
(14,255 posts)I think it is a fantastic indicator of how people really feel and how they are actually going to vote.
It is not like the Hillary supporters who run the AFT are going to mark every members' ballot for HRC and mail it in.
What it tells me, since this is the way it has always been, is that the endorsement by the AFT doesn't mean spit, as far as complacently counting on all of the membership to vote for Hillary.
The polish is off that apple. That's what this means.
wyldwolf
(43,873 posts)Just a bunch of Sanders folks who may or may not be members of the AFT making noise.
djean111
(14,255 posts)cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
wyldwolf
(43,873 posts)cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
wyldwolf
(43,873 posts)but let's first agree on the definition of 'fact.'
fact
noun
a thing that is indisputably the case.
"she lacks political experiencea fact that becomes clear when she appears in public"
synonyms: reality, actuality, certainty; More
used in discussing the significance of something that is the case.
noun: the fact that
"the real problem facing them is the fact that their funds are being cut"
a piece of information used as evidence or as part of a report or news article.
synonyms: detail, piece of information, particular, item, specific, element, point, factor, feature, characteristic, ingredient, circumstance, aspect, facet; information
"every fact was double-checked"
cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
wyldwolf
(43,873 posts)cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
wyldwolf
(43,873 posts)cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
wyldwolf
(43,873 posts)cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
wyldwolf
(43,873 posts)cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
wyldwolf
(43,873 posts)Iliyah
(25,111 posts)by some here that those will be a sham as well. LOL
Thanks for the thread. Hubby is a member of a union and guess what, they follow the same procedures, can you believe that.
wyldwolf
(43,873 posts)They can't fathom the fact everyone hasn't fallen in love with (Bradley / Dean / Sanders, etc.) so any support someone else must be a sham.
As I have posted elsewhere (rephrased as I hate repeatin myself), Bernie being divine, and Hillary being demonic, you'd have to be a fool not to support Bernie. YOU'RE the problem. LOL
LordGlenconner
(1,348 posts)Ugly it will be.