Hofmeister Takes Issue With Barresi Remarks
For Immediate Release: April 15, 2014
Exactly what did Janet Barresi tell Obama’s Education Chief Arne Duncan?
(OKLAHOMA CITY – Monday, April 14, 2014) “State School Superintendent Janet Barresi needs to explain the rest of her conversation with Barack Obama’s Secretary of Education because her contradictory comments within 72 hours have left Oklahomans confused,” said Republican challenger Joy Hofmeister.
“It has become well known at the Capitol that Janet Barresi requested federal intervention from the Obama administration as a way to bully the Legislature into protecting Common Core. At first I didn’t know whether to believe it, but when I heard her comments on Saturday, it became apparent that she has been working closely with the Obama administration.
“But Barresi, true to form, is only telling half the story,” Hofmeister said.
“I would like Janet Barresi to answer the question, ‘Did she ask the Obama administration to threaten withholding Title I dollars for Oklahoma’s neediest schoolchildren? And, did she ask President Obama to punish Oklahoma for abandoning Common Core?'”
The Hofmeister campaign released tapes on Monday of two debates last week in which it claims Barresi gave two opposite views. On Tuesday in a Tulsa debate, Barresi said “You know, sometimes I’ll tell you things you don’t want to hear, but I will always tell you the truth. I support the Common Core.” But, at the GOP state rally on Saturday, Barresi claimed to tell Barack Obama’s education secretary Arne Duncan, “Common Core is dead in Oklahoma,’ as if she was responsible for it’s repeal. Oklahoma legislators know this is not true.”
However, Hofmeister said she wonders if that’s “all that Barresi told Obama’s education chief, or is it more accurate that she asked the Obama administration for federal intervention to help keep Common Core alive?” Saturday’s remarks were clearly an attempt to deceive the voters at the GOP state rally. It’s just a fact that there has been no greater advocate for Common Core than Janet Barresi.” Hofmeister said.
“For my part, I am clear on my position. I cannot support Common Core as these standards were never vetted in our state. Instead, we must have higher standards that are truly Oklahoma driven and exceed what is common. We need new leadership because of failed leadership. It’s time to respect and restore local control within our state.” Hofmeister said.
“I’ve heard of politicians talking out of both sides of their mouth, but I was truly shocked and dismayed that on the most important education issue of the day, Janet Barresi would give two completely different answers only 72 hours apart.
“I’m disappointed that Janet Barresi isn’t telling us the entire story about her involvement with Obama’s education chief Arne Duncan. We all know that she has worked hand-in-hand with the Obama administration to support Common Core. So what did she ask or tell Arne Duncan? Did Janet Barresi continue to work closely with the Obama administration to bring pressure to our state Capitol to preserve and codify Common Core within Oklahoma? Oklahoma voters deserve to know the truth behind Janet Barresi’s stories.”
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