‘Conflict Erupts’

Re: “Conflict Erupts in GOP Circles Over Senate Race,” Brian McGuire, New York, June 14, 2005. I would say I am proud to be a Republican in New York, but the Republican Party of New York state embarrasses me. It appears that the party has forgotten the word “democracy” when it comes to fielding candidates for statewide office. In order to win an election, a candidate must win over the people of the state, not the 300 district leaders that represent the party. Primaries for the “Big Four” offices in the 2006 elections are a must.

With handpicked candidates chosen behind closed doors, there is little reason for them to travel throughout the state and win over the voters. Competition within a party makes a party stronger. New Jersey was just given the opportunity to see and hear seven candidates for governor. The voters spoke and chose a winner. New Jersians can now be proud that the Republican Party in their state allowed for democracy to select a winner. I am not sure why Messrs. Minarik, Moses, and Davis from Brian McGuire’s report would say primaries are divisive. Did handpicked candidates in Howard Mills or Dora Irizarry prove successful for the GOP? Already, bloggers are beginning to express frustration with the state party. If we do not see an open field of candidates for three of the Big Four seats for next year, then I’m afraid we will finally be in an entirely blue state.

DANIEL PETERSON
Manhattan

‘Shortcut Classics’

Andrew Wolf in “Shortcut Classics in City Schools” [Opinion, June 10, 2005] takes major shortcuts himself. While I regret the loss of any competent and caring teacher, our intellectually rigorous curriculum challenges both students and teachers to use literature for deeper understanding and a lifelong love of reading.

The biggest change in our schools is not what we teach, but how we teach. Students must significantly develop their communications and critical-thinking skills if they are to find work in our global economy. Our interactive learning model requires rigorous student engagement. We also are working to build supportive adult learning communities, which honor professional decision-making and the exploration of a variety of ways to move all students toward rigorous standards.

Shakespeare, for example, is alive and well in our schools. The Bard would have been thrilled to see students at Junior High School 259 in Brooklyn last month. This event grew out of year-long work and included students who are English Language Learners. Students gave voice to Marc Antony and Hamlet, as well as the Fort Hamilton Parkway equivalent of “American Idol” in an Elizabethan insult contest.

To quote Shakespeare, “Action is eloquence.” Our students are reading and writing every day. We have not banned the classics. We embrace them with an interactive learning model that re quires all students to think critically, speak fully, and write effectively.

CARMEN FARINA
Deputy Chancellor
Department of Education
Manhattan

Independent in 2008?

John P. Avlon is correct when he writes, “2008 could be the year that a strong centrist independent is elected president” [“Independent President in 2008?” Opinion, June 14, 2005].

Just last week the Washington Post reported, “the overall electorate is annoyed by both parties and the Washington politicians.”

Which begs the question: Who would be a good third-party candidate? Ross Perot found the sledding awfully difficult back in 1992, when he first ran as an outsider. Other business leaders, like Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Apple’s Steve Jobs, sometimes are mentioned as would-be candidates. Others still, like former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin or former Senator Sam Nunn, also are talked about from time to time.

In my opinion, the only candidates worth their third-party stripes are former U.S. Senator and Defense Secretary William Cohen and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State Colin Powell. Both are eminently qualified to be president or vice president. Because he has been elected to office, I give the nod to Cohen. Which leaves Powell to be his vice presidential running mate.

Interestingly, both are Republicans who served Democratic presidents. Both are savvy about the ways of Washington and the world. Perhaps most importantly, both come across as being more interested in the state of the union than they are in the state of their own political futures. All of which means that Messrs. Cohen and Powell would be in the right place at the right time, should a credible third party emerge.

DENNY FREIDENRICH
First Strategies, LLC
Laguna Beach, Calif.

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