Former McCain Education Adviser Working for Pawlenty Campaign

By Alyson Klein on May 12, 2011 5:20 PM

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/campaign-k-12/2011/05/former_mccain_education_advise.html

Tim Pawlenty's presidential campaign is receiving some help from an experienced hand in the world of education and politics: Phil Handy.

Handy, a manufacturing and services industry executive, worked as a top education adviser for Sen. John McCain during his unsuccessful 2008 campaign for the White House.

He also has strong ties to former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, who has taken an active role on education issues in that state and around the country. Handy served on Florida's state board of education during Bush's tenure as governor, as the state approved a host of far-reaching reforms on vouchers, charters, and tests and school grading policies.



By Sean Cavanagh on May 12, 2011 11:10 AM

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/state_edwatch/2011/05/ally_of_jeb_bush_john_mccain_helping_pawlenty_presidential_campain.html

Tim Pawlenty has turned to a familiar source for advice as he makes his bid for the Republican presidential nomination: longtime Florida political and education insider Phil Handy.

Handy served as chairman of the state's board of education under former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush—who has ruled out a 2012 White House bid—and thus had a role in shaping that state's ambitious and influential policies on school choice, charters, and testing and grading schools.

He brings high-level campaign experience to Pawlenty's team. Handy served as a top adviser on school issues during Sen. John McCain's unsuccessful 2008 bid for the White House.

Handy, who has owned and operated many businesses, is now the CEO of Strategic Industries, a portfolio of companies focused on services and manufacturing. He also served on the National Board of Education Sciences, after being appointed by President George W. Bush.

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It just amazes me that someone that has no experience in education tries to tell everyone else what has to be done to fix the education system in this country. Perhaps it is that these people realize how ignorant they are and then blame it on the education they received.