AZ Education Superintendent tries to fool parents and voters
John Huppenthal, Arizona’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, is doing a first-rate imitation of Punxsutawney Phil. According to tradition, each February 2 groundhog Phil emerges from his burrow. A cloudy day welcomes an early spring. But if the sun is shining brightly and Phil sees his shadow, six more weeks of icy winter is in store.
Unfortunately for Arizona, Huppenthal’s recent emergence from the education abyss will not give him six weeks of winter. Instead the devious policies he is advocating will bring decades of a barren winter landscape for Arizona students.
Alarmed by the voices of angry voters, parents dedicated to protecting their children and facing Diane Douglas, a knowledgeable conservative challenger in the 2014 election, John Huppenthal has decided the most advantageous scheme is to try to dupe the public by slickly changing the name from “Common Core” to “Arizona College and Career Ready Standards.” He acknowledges the term has become “politically charged.” It has also become difficult to sell the leftist standards — long in multiculturalism, self esteem and social justice and short on actual education — to the groups he is addressing. “Unwavering“ in his commitment to Common Core, Huppenthal admits outside of the rebranding, nothing will actually change in his Obama-influenced vision for Arizona classrooms.
Instead of protecting Arizona’s Constitutional requirement for local control of our district schools, Huppenthal is pushing policies that will cede control of every facet of our education system to federal bureaucrats. Conservative syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin has written extensively about what she calls “Rotten to the Core.” “Obama’s War on Academic Standards,” is an excellent place to begin.
This shocking video shows a teacher’s training session on Common Core math. The trainer explains how getting the wrong answer is perfectly acceptable. FrontPage Mag exposes the shocking Common Core ‘Exemplars’ and the Daily Caller reveals graphic sex and the praising of Communist Castro. Opponents of such garbage are being categorized as part of the tin foil hat contingent. Read some of this and make your own judgments.
Huppenthal’s transformation is confounding. Here is a man who claimed conservative credentials as a candidate, now cozying up to Obama’s education point man Arne Duncan as the duo recently made the rounds of the state.
The biggest irony, however, is the fact that Huppenthal was the author and prime sponsor of Senate Bill 1038 in 2005. This bill dramatically lowered graduation standards for Arizona students. Now, eight years later, the same John Huppenthal is using the scare tactics that our state standards are too low as the reason for embracing Obama’s Common Core.
At 29 years of age Huppenthal began an unbroken 30-year record of feeding at the public trough. During those years he has become a recognized establishment hack. It’s time to retire him.
He thinks we will fall for this? He is dumb and dumber personified. Keep the heat on using both terms…Common Core and “College and Career Ready Standards” to fight this invasion of federalized curriculum.
You’ve outdone yourself, SRAZ! What a great article! A very creative and entertaining introduction! This comprehensive article is loaded with solid facts, history and references. Nevertheless, you don’t pull any punches and go right for the jugular, as Conservatives should.
This is the sort of high-quality editorial journalism which we wish our state newspapers would offer!
Huppenthal has been an embarrassment! His signing up for the Obama Common Core scheme, his dropping of the ball with the LaRaza studies, his pandering to the Governor and his Grand Tour with Arne Duncan are merely the obvious signs of his sellout of Constitutional principles. The insertion of leftie staffers in the AZ Dept of Ed and their on-going attack on traditional values are even more reprehensible for a supposed conservative republican.
We are fortunate that Diane Douglas has stepped up to the plate and is running to replace the incumbent. Douglas has a record of being a staunch conservative as a school board member and president, an officer in the PAChyderm Coalition for nearly a decade, and also worked with Russell Pearce as the Treasurer of Ax-The-Tax. She is the right person at the right time for the right job.
I went to her website http://www.dianedouglas.com, signed her petition and gave her a qualifying $5.00 contribution so she can have the money to get out her message.
John Huppenthal is a mental midget posing as a deep thinker. He has never been able to think on his feet and deals with issues by “studying” them or forming a committee to examine them. He was the state senator in the old District 20 (previously LD 6) where I served as an elected precinct committeeman. I had ample opportunity to see him in (IN)action. The fact that he was reelected speaks to the disconnect voters have with specifics and the value of name ID. Also lobbyist money goes to those they have in their pockets. That is illustrated here with Huppenthal‘s newfound kinship with Obama and his plan to overtake America’s locally controlled education system via the federalized Common Core. Huppenthal should be ashamed of himself, but that’s unlikely. He thinks he’s moving with the top brass, even though they are Obama’s people (ARNE DUNCAN!?!) promoting Obama’s efforts to destroy the USA.
Chandler GOP– you hit the nail on the head. My biggest frustration is that the Conservatives endorsed him over Margaret Duggan and said they could “keep him under control”. So sad!
What a load of fiction. Huppenthal kept control of district 20 for conservatives by running against a proabortion, pro tax increase, anti-second amendment Senator named Slade Mead. Huppenthal’s political skills in a district which has elected democrats retained control for conservatives for a decade. Huppenthal was outspent by Slade Mead two to one. Huppenthals constituent service account: zero, not a single lobbyist dollar. Average lobbyist meals per year: zero. He buys his own lunches. Huppenthal turned down 17 fiesta bowls, two superbowls, two NBA finals, a World Series and countless individual events. Huppenthal embodies our conservative values.
Hey Socrates aka John Huppenthal:
As Huppenthal’s chief apologist, how do you respond to this article in the newspaper??
The headline is “Common Core flak may spur changes…Schools chief: Keep standards, ditch name”
http://www.azcentral.com/news/arizona/articles/20130916common-core-flak-may-spur-changes.html
It’s very clear that Huppenthal wants only to change the name, NOT Obama’s Common Core standards. He’s taking heat everywhere he appears as he defends this federal government takeover of our children’s education. This is Obamacare on steroids.
Slade Mead? Who are you kidding dragging out this RINO who switched to Democrat over a dozen years ago and now lives in New York? Hupp must be desperate!! He needs to go back to pushing around little old ladies he bullied in a battle over political signs. Has that example of his fine character also faded from your memory?
http://www.azcentral.com/community/ahwatukee/articles/2009/08/21/20090821cr-huppenthal0822.html
Socrates1289 wrote: “Huppenthals constituent service account: zero, not a single lobbyist dollar.”
Actually, Huppenthal accepted $4,010 in contributions from lobbyists.
http://influenceexplorer.com/politician/id/8ed396bd17644c7b8a72e75d471cac7a?cycle=-1
There’s also another angle to beware of. The Miami Herald reports that Jeb Bush snottily confronted criticism of Common Core during an appearance in Washington, blasting the condemnation as “purely political.”
“If you’re comfortable with mediocrity, fine,” Bush said.
http://miamiherald.typepad.com/nakedpolitics/2013/09/jeb-bush-pushes-back-against-common-core-critics-comfortable-with-mediocrity.html
Interestingly, the Goldwater Institute has come out in opposition to the Obama education takeover.
http://goldwaterinstitute.org/blog/common-core-standards-drive-schools-cliff
But the group’s Clint Bolick is making joint appearances with Jeb Bush promoting the amnesty book they co-authored. Bolick’s wife, who previously lost a legislative race, is running again in LD 28. Voters would be wise to find out if she stands with her husband’s pal and rumored presidential candidate on Common Core AND both her husband and Bush in support of “comprehensive” amnesty. Here they make it clear they don’t want to secure the border until they give amnesty FIRST.
http://video.foxnews.com/v/2203577932001/jeb-bush-unveils-six-point-plan-to-reform-immigration-system/
Clint Bolick also sued, when Tom Horne was Superintendent of Public Instruction, to enable charter schools to have their own schedules for what is taught in which grade, independent of each other and of public school schedules. The case was settled with Arizona yielding to the charter schools. Horne said alignment ensures that students who transfer from one public or charter school to another will not miss certain subjects because of different rules at different schools.
“All we’re asking is by the end of a given grade level a student know certain things.” – Tom Horne
Apparently Bolick and the Goldwater Institute don’t support that idea and so the Libertarian Bolick went to court to preserve the important “right” that kids at a given grade level don’t all have to know the same things! Thank you so much, Clint, for that important Libertarian victory!
Yep. Clint Bolick started the Alliance for School Choice before joining Goldwater. That might explain his position. It was his income. He despises Sheriff Joe Arpaio, and wrote position papers for GI attacking him. These people are not conservatives. I trust his wife Shawnna L. M. Bolick as far as I can throw the libertarian Goldwater Institute. Let’s not forget that it was once headed by Jeff Flake. This is a full circle deal, folks. keep your eyes on who contributes to her campaign. That will be telling!
I hear that, Observer! I have to admit that, logical or not, I just can’t bring myself to believe that someone married to a Libertarian activist attorney could remain untainted and is and would remain uninfluenced. If she got in a position where she could cast a deciding vote on an issue important to Clint, who knows what pressure he might bring to bear? Blood is thicker than water! Besides, I’m not eager to launch a political career, possibly leading to higher office, for someone who is clearly “at risk”. Why not support someone who isn’t carrying that sort of baggage instead?
As a point of information: The original intent for starting the Goldwater Institute was to promote charter schools…beginning with Arizona.
That figures, Realist. Even a cursory search on the internet will reveal charter school scams and rips both simple and intricate. One of the big lures for the scam artists is that there’s federal money to be had, surprise, surprise! ;-)
If you dont support school choice, you are not a conservative. Go post on Democratic Diva.
And why don’t you kiss my grits, Libertarian thug troll, LOL! :-)
Good research, euby! The Arizona Republic, Chamber of Commerce, Jan McBrewer and Jeb Bush endorsements of John Huppenthal are priceless finds!
Thanks, F. S.! :-)
Like SRAZ, we strive to be of service to our fellow Conservatives.
Huppenthal does like to hear himself talk. When he spoke at our district meeting he was to take 20 minutes. Forty-five minutes later he finally took questions. Only then, in response to a direct question about Common Core’s leftist bias, did he use the term “Common Core,” and his evasive response was equivalent to “nothing here, move on.”
How many times do we have to get screwed over before we see the light? If we don’t smarten up soon we won’t keep getting other chances. Time is running out for us. We’ve got to do a better job of due diligence vetting of candidates and not simply take them at their word when they are seeking political office. They’ll say whatever they think we want to hear.
Dont believe this nonsense. Huppenthal is the most conservative leader in Arizona. Successfully supprted more tax reduction than any other legislator in the United States.
Oh yeah! I guess that’s why the state’s most Conservative newspaper, “The Arizona Republic”, endorsed Huppenthal.
“The Arizona Republic recommends John Huppenthal for state superintendent of public instruction.”
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/articles/20101003supe03.html
Hey, who would be quicker than “The Arizona Republic” to endorse a genuine Conservative?
Oh yeah! I guess that’s why the “conservative” Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry gave Huppenthal their “Senator of the Year” award and endorsed him for Superintendent of Public Instruction. Hey, the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry loves Huppenthal and Jan Brewer!
“Sep. 6, 2012”
“Glenn Hamer”
“On Wednesday I joined Gov. Jan Brewer, State Superintendent of Public Instruction John Huppenthal and education leaders from across the state at an event at Franklin Police and Fire High School to roll out Arizona’s new Common Core Standards. The adoption of these rigorous academic standards is the right move to set Arizona’s students on the path to career-readiness in Arizona’s second century.”
http://www.azchamber.com/news-and-resources/bottom-line/2012/09-06-2012.html
Sock,
Your buddy HOOPS (an apt moniker as he is always wearing sneakers – that’s a pun Sock) was the PRIME PRIME sponsor of SB1038 that lowered Arizona standards and now uses the pretext that we have low standards (he caused) to promote a turnover of our classrooms to federal control. Giving control to the feds – especially the BHO federal government is not only foolish, it is unconstitutional.
I remember years ago going to two different events within two days at which the same candidate for Mayor of Phoenix was speaking. The first group (conservatives) heard that he was adamently pro-life. The second group was a RINO women’s club where he answered the question exactly the way they wanted, talking about protecting women’s rights, never using the word “abortion.” I was stunned that he could have two different opinions on the same issue in about 24 hours. Bottom line? This guy won. His RINO son is now in the state senate!
I must admit to not knowing much about Huppenthal. Thanks for bringing me up to speed. I’ll be checking out his competition.
Dont believe this nonsense. Huppenthal is the most conservative leader in Arizona. 16th and deciding vote to bring concealed carry gun rights to Arizona.
Oh yeah! I guess that’s why that bastion of Conservatism, JEB BUSH, endorsed Huppenthal!
“Ex-Florida Gov. Jeb Bush endorses Huppenthal”
“By Luige del Puerto, June 29, 2010”
“Sen. John Huppenthal, a Chandler Republican who is running for superintendent of public instruction, has picked up the endorsement of former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, whose education policies were credited for improving the performance of that state’s students.”
http://azcapitoltimes.com/news/2010/06/29/ex-florida-gov-jeb-bush-endorses-huppenthal/
Gee, ain’t if funny that JEB BUSH and CLINT BOLICK co-authored a book together; “Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution”.
So, let’s see. It’s Huppenthal, to Jeb Bush, to Cllint Bolick of the Libertarian Goldwater Institute. Gee, did I miss the “conservative” part somewhere?
Socrates:
You have tried dominating this section with over a dozen comments. Although some have been posted, don’t expect to see any others. Your wild accusations, name calling and warning to others that this is an untruthful site, will not fly here. This conservative, fact-based site obviously is not the place for you.
It is frenzied candidate John Huppenthal, meeting strong opposition to his bonding with Arne Duncan and Obama’s educare, who is untruthful. He deviously wants to change the name “Common Core” to “Arizona College and Career Ready Standards” hoping no one will notice. We all have and will not forget. Huppenthal is rightly sweating his upcoming election and has taken refuge in deceit.
Thank you, yet once again, SRAZ, for your efforts to preserve the thoughtful Conservative nature of this blog. The repeated efforts of the Liberal left to disrupt SRAZ are a sure sign that your articles and the comments of Conservatives are hitting the mark. Like our nation, you have the right to defend and preserve your territory. I’m happy to see that you are not hesitant to assert that right.
Your articles cite facts and references. Many of the posters, in their comments, also cite facts with links to the source so that the facts may be verified by readers. Having no solid facts to back up their positions, Liberals usually end up resorting to innuendo, character assassination, hurling insults and name-calling. As Conservatives, we are not compelled to either accept or tolerate such tactics and such behaviors.
On Topic, & On Point, THIS from Michelle Malkin:
http://michellemalkin.com/2013/09/20/jeb-bushs-latest-common-core-snit-fit/
THIS Moron wants to be our next ?president?…Lord Help Us!!!
Good-bye Huppenthal, hello Diane Douglas……!!
I join you in that expression of hope. Huppenthal is far worse than a dunce. He’s a sneak, a liar and an Obama educrat pawn. This is an important post. I hope it gets read and passed around in emails for all to see the facts.
Absolutely!! I was fortunate to attend a debate here in Casa Grande where Diane Douglas definitively destroyed Huppenthal on every point. It was amazing. JohnBoy was tiptoeing like a caged rat and left in a snit. I had never seen him so effectively defeated. If it was a boxing match, they would have thrown in the towel.
I have been told that he now refuses to appear on the same program with Douglas. I guess that when you are outclassed and outgunned, it is time to leave the field of debate.