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Training Secretary Arne Duncan appeared on MSNBC’s Morning Joe Thursday morning to give an explanation for his remark that “white suburban mothers” had been pushing back against popular core requirements, while the panel requested if the remark used to be indicative of the Obama administration’s “divide and triumph over” strategy that emphasised race and profits divides.
“My wording was clumsy,” Duncan mentioned. “My message was once very, very simple. When you raise requirements that’s a difficult thing…What’s came about traditionally is a long way too many states have dummied downed standards. We had been mendacity to families and youngsters…Many states around this united states doing very hard work of raising standards, now, it’s the suitable factor, however we now have to better be in contact that to parents. That was once the message.”
“Isn’t there a feeling that the Obama administration likes to divide and overcome?” host Joe Scarborough requested. “That’s what plenty of conservative folks say this was a part of.”
“I settle for the misspeak,” former Bush communications director Nicolle Wallace stated. “I do it each time I’m on are living television. I believe there’s a sense among Republicans—and I do know that your mission unites folks throughout the aisle, so it’s ironic you ended up in this place—however there’s a way amongst Republicans that this viewing the united states of america and viewing the Obama administration insurance policies through this lens of extremely sliced and diced, by race and profits.”
“This is the precise of opposite of that,” Duncan said. “My point was that whilst you dummy down requirements, that has effects on all kids.”
“Even white suburban families, used to be the your point?” Wallace requested.
“Even in more affluent areas, no longer simply the inner metropolis,” Duncan mentioned. “Each child needs excessive standards. That used to be my very simple point.”
Morning Joe common Harold Ford defended the substance, though now not the phrasing, of Duncan’s point.
“He’s spot on whilst you in finding individuals who believe their youngsters are learning, who reside in at ease havens on this united states, who believe their schools are fantastic, however while you if truth be told follow their children and put their children up towards kids all over the world, they now not only lose however the united states loses,” Ford mentioned. “I feel that’s the point he used to be making.”
Watch the clip beneath, via MSNBC:
[Image via screengrab]
