McCain addresses NAACP, outlines plan to aid minority schools
The Republican senator calls for merit pay for teachers who improve performance, and school vouchers. Obama, who spoke to the NAACP earlier, attends security round table with potential V.P. picks.
CINCINNATI — - Republican John McCain today called for more education opportunities for children in poor schools as he brought his presidential campaign to the annual convention of the nation's oldest civil rights organization.
McCain spoke to the NAACP two days after Democrat Barack Obama, who is seeking to become the first African American president, addressed the group.
In the mostly full convention hall, the scene was more muted than the overflow crowd that Obama attracted.
In recognition of Obama's special standing, McCain began his remarks by praising the Illinois senator.
"Don't tell him I said this, but he is an impressive fellow in many ways," McCain said. "He has inspired a great many Americans, some of whom had wrongly believed that a political campaign could hold no purpose or meaning for them.
"Of course, I would prefer his success not continue quite as long as he hopes," McCain continued. "But it makes me proud to know the country I've loved and served all my life is still a work in progress, and always improving. Sen. Obama talks about making history, and he's made quite a bit of it already.
"Whatever the outcome in November, Sen. Obama has achieved a great thing -- for himself and for his country -- and I thank him for it."
McCain also asked the National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People to excuse his absence from their convention last year, saying his presidential campaign was going through a rough patch at the time.
The Arizona senator then outlined his education proposals designed to aid minority schools where dropout rates are high. McCain called for more aid and choice.
"If I am elected president, school choice for all who want it, an expansion of opportunity scholarships and alternative certification for teachers will all be part of a serious agenda of education reform," McCain said.
"After decades of hearing the same big promises from the public education establishment, and seeing the same poor results, it is surely time to shake off old ways and to demand new reforms," he said. "That isn't just my opinion. It is the conviction of parents in poor neighborhoods across this nation who want better lives for their children."
McCain backs expanded merit pay for teachers who improve students' performance and more money for tutoring poor students. Obama supports the idea of linkage when teachers help negotiate and craft the merit-pay plans, a nod to the national teachers' union, which dislikes the linkage.
