Some people might fantasize about being able to ask a question of a leading candidate to become the next president of the United States. Three AFT members got that chance and more when they were on hand to ask their question of the five Democratic presidential hopefuls who came to speak to the AFT executive council during at the meeting May 15-16 at the National Labor College in Silver Spring, Md.

AFT members Allan Grant from Education Minnesota-Osseo, Jim Close from the New York Public Employees Federation and Richard Charap from the United Federation of Teachers in New York City got the opportunity to question the candidates after the questions they submitted to the AFT's You Decide Web site were selected as the best based on votes from other AFT members.

As an indication of how well their questions coincided with the issues that the various campaigns are addressing around the country, many of the candidates touched on the topics in their opening statements to the council before the AFT members got a chance to step to the microphone. Grant asked about early childhood education, Close asked about prospects for ending the war in Iraq and Charap asked about protecting healthcare, pensions and the right to bargain. The candidates appeared pleased to have the chance to interact with rank-and-file members as well as the leaders who serve on the executive council.

AFT president Edward J. McElroy said the AFT's You Decide site—which is one of the ways the union has tried to engage members in the 2008 elections and provide guidance to the union as part of its endorsement process—has been "incredibly successful." Before the final questioners were selected, thousands of AFT members already had sent in their opinions about the most important issues the country faces, submitted their own questions for the candidates and commented on the seven questions selected for the final voting. After seeing a presentation on You Decide, AFT vice president Candice Owley, who heads the union's Healthcare division, said, "This is the most member engagement we've ever done around an election."

The three AFT members also enjoyed their time in the spotlight. Grant, a 36-year veteran kindergarten teacher and member of his local's negotiating committee, mounted a "Vote for Allan" campaign to get members of his local to vote for his question. The good thing about that, he added, is that everyone who voted is now on the AFT's electronic mailing list to receive materials on the 2008 election. Close, who is an environmental program specialist with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation in Albany, N.Y., also contacted many of his colleagues about voting for his question. "This was an opportunity to really see where the candidates stand" not only on Iraq but other issues, as well, he said. "Part of the process of endorsing candidates is seeing how well they answer your questions." Charap, a math teacher and UFT chapter leader in the Bronx, said he was "surprised but also very excited about coming" after his question was selected as one of the winners. "I asked the same question that my members in the Bronx always have for me." [Dan Gursky, Matt Jones]

May 18, 2007

Visit our photo gallery of the executive council session here.