Michelle Rhee Popular with Republicans
The Washington Post reports:
In her post-D.C. Public Schools career, former Chancellor Michelle Rhee has had no trouble whatsoever attracting attention to her new education reform ventures. And she's been getting the most attention from prominent elected Republicans.
Since leaving DCPS, Rhee has joined the transition team of new Florida Gov. Rick Scott (pictured) and has since agreed to continue on as an "informal adviser" to his administration. On Tuesday, she appeared atNew Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's State of the State address.
"No one in America has been more clear that we must change our public education system," Christie said from the podium. "Michelle, thanks for coming today, and I want you to count New Jersey among those who are finally putting our students first."
Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty, who just left office and is expected to contend for the Republican presidential nomination, has long been a Rhee fan. Yesterday at the National Press Club, he said this, according to MSNBC: "Everyone's waiting for Superman. We had a Superwoman. And her name was Michelle Rhee."
Meanwhile, Rhee's message has been embraced by the favorite media outlets of the conservative movement. She rolled out her policy platform in a Wall Street Journal op-ed and made an appearance on Fox News Channel (in addition to appearances on the Today Show and other less partisan forums). Today, a post on the Heritage Foundation's blog calls on "opponents of sensible education reforms to put the needs of children before the demands of special interests--as Rhee's aptly named group suggests."
