Chicago Teachers Strike Gets Political As Romney Weighs In

The GOP nominee joined Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in saying he's "disappointed," calling for teachers to return to schools.

(Image source: Wikimedia Commons )   BY ZACH TOOMBS   The Chicago teachers union strike made for strange political bedfellows Monday, with Mitt Romney calling for an end to the demonstrations — and aligning himself with Rahm Emanuel, the Chicago mayor and former chief-of-staff for President Barack Obama.   The Romney team released a statement Monday linking the president to the teachers on strike, saying:   “Teachers unions have too often made plain that their interests conflict with those of our children, and today we are seeing one of the clearest examples yet. President Obama has chosen his side in this fight...”   The strike closed public schools Monday for almost 400,000 students, and demonstrations sprung up across the school district — which is the third largest in the U.S.   Romney’s stance on the issue puts Emanuel in an awkward position. Although his former boss is banking on union support in several key swing states, Emanuel’s strong stance against the strike puts him more in league with Republicans than Democrats. Still, to Romney’s comments, Emanuel said thanks but no thanks. WFLD in Chicago has footage from a Monday press conference.   “While I appreciate Mitt Romney’s statement … If he wants to help, he can then determine that, when it comes to his tax cut, he’ll never cut the Department of Education and the funding that’s necessary … and that there will never be a cut in any education to pay for his tax cuts for the most fortunate.”   Further complicating the situation for the president is the fact that the strike is taking place in his hometown — and in a district once overseen by his Education Secretary, Arne Duncan.   At the White House on Monday, press secretary Jay Carney chose not to make any waves.   “I know he’s aware of it, but I haven’t spoken to him about it, so I can’t speak for his reaction … His principal concern is for the students and families who are affected by the situation.   Despite the strike’s toll on Chicago, the president has little motive for speaking on the issue at all. Although Emanuel and Mr. Obama remain close politically, a move from the president to support his former chief-of-staff would likely draw the ire of teachers unions across the country. For now, the strike remains unresolved — with no agreement as of Monday evening.