What did you think?

AFT members who watched the AFL-CIO presidential forum broadcast Aug. 7 from Soldier Field Stadium in Chicago, have registered their reviews of the event.
Here’s what several AFT members had to say about the forum. These comments and others are posted on the You Decide 2008 Web site (www.aft.org/youdecide).

“I haven’t decided who I am going to support, but the forum was a great way to see all the candidates, together and in person. I am very glad that it was televised because it brings to the nation in a very stark way the most important concerns of working people.”
—Claire Falk, Chicago Teachers Union

“The question of the night was the one on healthcare. Commercials about the healthcare crisis that use real people and their stories should flood the airwaves.”
—Ted Klammer, Albuquerque (N.M.) Teachers Federation

“I believe that fewer questions should be asked and not run the event like the Kentucky Derby. This would provide a more complete response from the candidates and bring out a better sense of the candidates’ positions.”
—Ted Rudin, Cleveland (Ohio) Teachers Union

“The response of over 17,000 union members to each candidate’s words may not have been clear to the MSNBC audience; however, the candidates could not miss what is important to rank-and-file American labor.”
—Mike Dale, West Surburban (Ill.) Teachers Union

“I was disappointed despite the fact that a number of the questions were very good. The problem is that the candidates are very adroit at giving answers to questions that evade dealing with the core problems that face the country.”
—Hyman Kuritz, United University Professions (New York)