By FITSNews || Here in the Palmetto State, we stand up and cheer when our politicians are giving “major” speeches … then, moments later, we step in front of a TV camera and talk trash about them.
In fact, that’s just par for the “bless your heart” (backstabbing) South, where sweet and sharp tongues alternate based on their proximity to the individual being discussed.
Anyway, in keeping with this time honored tradition, S.C. Superintendent of Education Jim Rex clapped for – and then carped on – S.C. Gov. Mark Sanford’s decidedly underwhelming State of the State speech earlier this week.
“He doesn’t have a whole lot, quite frankly, to talk about in terms of educational accomplishments,” Rex said immediately after the governor’s speech.
Wait, what?
We’ll admit that Sanford hasn’t spent an ounce of his once-prodigious (now paltry) political capital pushing education reform over the last seven years, but isn’t public education Rex’s responsibility?
Or (more accurately) lawmakers’ responsibility?
Anyway, with the help of an insanely attractive young intern, FITS put together a little video of Rex’s remarks that we hope will put his criticism of the governor in its proper context.
Take a look …
Yeah …
Also, Rex’s bashing of Sanford is another reminder to Palmetto politicians that attempting to minimize or ignore the parental choice issue doesn’t mean that status quo forces aren’t going to attack you over it.
They are.
Sanford, who is “walking humbly” with lawmakers this year, tried to play footsie with Rex … and got burned.
His only salvation? Rex was too stupid to think that any criticism of Sanford’s “education” record was also an implied criticism of his own.
Of course barring a miraculous fund-raising turnaround, Rex’s political career appears to be every bit as dead as the governor’s … so it probably doesn’t matter all that much what either one of these politicians have to say.
Still … the question stands …
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By Kid Charlamaign January 23, 2010 at 12:21 pm
The second paragraph of this posting is brilliantly insightful.
By Cooter Brown January 23, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Certainly da feller in charge of edumakashun in South Carolinie outta naught be blamed. Jest blame it on da rain– dat makes da most sense t’ me:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwrL9MV6jSk
Sing hit Rex: Whut eba ye doo, dont put da blame on you…
By James F. January 23, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Rex cant produce as Supt. of Education so he now wants to be Governor. Of course his Liberal credentials should carry him a long way. His two strongest assets as a Liberal (it is always someone elses fault) and (he knows more than really is so) equip him to lead the Democrat ticket.
By Todd January 23, 2010 at 4:03 pm
The Democrats have been in charge of this broken SC education system for years now. I was about to say let’s give the Republicans a chance, but then old Andre came out with his plan in the upstate last night. Sheesh, as Sic would say. McMaster doesn’t have a plan. Sheheen’s and Drake’s plan is keep spending on keeping the lower socio-economic classes dumb so they will continue voting Democratic. We are in an education mess.
By James the Foot Soldier January 23, 2010 at 4:24 pm
he looks like Hanibal Lecter….
By Liberty For Me January 23, 2010 at 7:35 pm
I cant believe this…He has some huge balls to make such a ridiculous statement
By Rylyn January 23, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Why doesn’t he just blame it on George Bush everyone else in the Democratic Party does! Last check he was the Supt. of Education and before him was Inez so lets put the blame where it belongs Jim Bob.
By freddie guy January 23, 2010 at 9:57 pm
Jim Rex is gasping for air in his job as Supt. of Education and his embarrassing campaign for Governor.
He and Sanford may be polar opposites in respect to their political views, but they share the same level of ineffectiveness as elected officials!
Fred
By BIN News Editorial Staff January 23, 2010 at 10:07 pm
You voucher scam morons. You know the real problems facing public education start with poverty, funding and the social ills that come with them.
You ignore the shameful “minimally adequate” standard that our Legislature continues to allow to fester like an open sore.
You clowns brought us Mark the A/Trail Hiker and Andre the Dog Catcher. Who is the next moron you want to embarrass SC with? Time will tell.
By Bobby January 24, 2010 at 2:21 am
I think it’s probably hard for the Superintendent of Education to operate when the Governor and Legislature want to privatize education and strip the public school system of everything it has. Wouldn’t electing Jim Rex as Governor mean that there might actually be some action on education? It seems to me that he has done some good things when he has had the chance.
Of course, I’m not politician, I’m just a public school student who has seen some of the reforms Dr. Rex has pushed for implemented. I’m sure that means my credibility on the issue is lacking. Even so, I think he’s a great man and I wish that FITS didn’t hate him so much. That’s politics.
By HMMM January 24, 2010 at 4:44 pm
Bobby, that was the one thoughtful comment on this entire thread. You may be just a student, but you know a lot more than the blowhards who normally comment on this blog. Good for you.
By M January 24, 2010 at 5:14 pm
I’m still trying to decide if he is an ideologue who honestly doesn’t see the reality of how our public schools perform, or if he is just a calculating politician who sees it as his best interest to cover up as much as he can until he gets out. This type of comment makes me think the latter. Education is far too politicized. We need to make the superintendent job appointed by the governor, and we need to attach funding to kids so they can go to whatever school their parents want them to. No strings attached. Private, public, charter, who cares? Just get kids literate and competent to work for the companies coming to the state. I think that would help de-politicize the whole situation.
By Jim January 24, 2010 at 8:43 pm
BLAME BLAME that’s the only thing Dem’s can do? “I know BUSH did it! Now you probabaly realize that our next Superintendant needs to ne a class act–Go Kelly Payne!
By hardyboys January 25, 2010 at 9:10 am
I knew Jim Rex was a “doofus” when elected to Superintendent of Education. He picked up where Ms. Inez “left off”. I have heard a lot of dumb excuses for the education system in South Carolina being bad, but to “blame” it on the governor! Rex is hiding the fact that the only blame for the bad education in our state falls solely on “him’ and him alone. C’mon Mr.Rex, accept the fact that you have done nothing! Governor Sanford has always wanted to improve our education system and could have if it were not for the democrats in this state, including YOU!
By OhNoNotAgain January 25, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Guys, guys guys. Come on.
In South Carolina, the education superintendent has the responsibility for educaiton, but doesn’t have much actual authority. A lot of the authority is right there in the governor’s office, but he doesn’t have the responsibility.
That’s how our government is designed. And the only ones really in charge are the legislators, but they aren’t accountable on the education issue.