With word this morning that Ohio Senator Rob Portman will support Betsy Devos, hopes dim that Democrats will take a scalp from Trump’s cabinet of misfit toys and prevent this unqualified billionaire from pushing her toxic brand of education “reform” onto our nation’s kids and schools and teachers.
“I support Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education because during the confirmation process she committed to strongly support public education and because of her support for local control, instead of having the federal government dictate education policy at the state and local level," Portman is quoted as saying.
I just spoke with a staff member in the Senator’s Columbus office and he confirms this reporting.
Reports abound that Portman’s office has been just as flooded as other “moderate” GOP Senators over this nomination, but this has apparently not caused him to question her fitness to serve.
Are there other GOP Senators who will still stand up for competence and demand a plausibly qualified choice for this position? Do Donald Trump’s daily antics, unhinged rhetoric, historically low poll numbers, and dangerous actions not give these Senators pause in giving him everything he wants? (To say nothing of the angry throngs of newly radicalized suburban moms, students, complacent Obama Dems and others.)
I am deeply disappointed in my Senator. This is not one we’re going to forget.