Racial overtones mar race for (Montana) state superintendent

[Newsjock]

Source: Missoulian

The campaign for Montana's top K-12 educator position has taken on racial overtones, sparking debate from observers about race-based comments made on a talk show and a Web site.

The statewide election for superintendent of public instruction pits Elaine Sollie Herman, a Republican, against Denise Juneau, a Democrat and enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara tribes.

Herman has been criticized for a recent Internet message posted under her name on the Web site MeetUp.com, which encourages people to abandon their computer keyboards and meet face-to-face on interests ranging from knitting and independent films to political views.

Here is the post:

“I am in MT running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction. I am asking for HELP from young concervative (sic) Bloggers. My web site is: electelainesollieherman.com. ‘I live in the ‘Peoples Republic of Helena.' My opposition is a young Indian.”

Herman said the Web page is not hers.

“That was my daughter who wrote that - she lives in Seattle,” said Herman. “I didn't do it. I had nothing to do with it. I am not a young girl looking for meet-ups in Puyallup.”

Herman's Web site lists one child, a daughter born in 1976.

Read more: http://missoulian.com/articles/2008/10/29/news/local/news02.txt

[BlueMTexpat]

1. Check out the candidates for yourselves.

Ms. Herman's opponent, Denise Juneau, is both a lawyer and an educator, with an excellent overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the educational system throughout the state.

http://www.juneauforkids.com/meetdenise

Ms. Herman's bio imitates Sarah Palin's rhetorical style to some extent. One snippet: "Elaine’s résumé may appear that she left the teaching field during the years she was a single mother in the business world, but the truth is she was motivated to the highest degree to not only teach, but to study and learn about the passion she was born to have. TEACHING."

And I particularly like this anecdote, although I have absolutely no inkling why it should matter in a race for the State Superintendent for Public Instruction in MT (or anywhere else, for that matter): "The gecko that lived in her car floor board did not talk like the Geico gecko on TV but it resembled the gold charm the island teachers gave her upon her departure when her husband’s sub tender went into dry dock in Vallejo, California the following year."

Yes, truth is indeed stranger than fiction. For more of the same: http://electelainesollieherman.com/meet.html

[keithjx]

3. Welcome to DU, fellow Big Skyer!

Great post, too!

:hi:
KJ

[LeftishBrit]

2. Apart from all other considerations...

is someone who can't spell 'conservative' REALLY a suitable candidate for a top job in education?