One-time flack saw how it works

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Q: Is it true that Marc Powers, the Southeast Missourian's government reporter in Jefferson City, was once a campaign manager for a Congressional candidate?

A: Almost true. For a three-month period in 1996, Powers was the media spokesman for Democrat Emily Firebaugh's congressional bid in the 8th District. He was not the campaign manager. Powers became the Southeast Missourian government reporter in Jefferson City in 1999.

"That was my first and, I think it is very safe to say, last foray into partisan politics," Powers said. "When it came to being a campaign flack, I wasn't particularly good at it. Pitching one-sided spin, which unfortunately is how the game is played by both parties, runs counter the unbiased approach to exploring issues that I strive for as a reporter. I took the gig because I thought I could learn much about that aspect of the political process by being on the inside of a campaign, and in that respect it was time well spent.

"That I went to work for a Democratic candidate was solely because I was asked. Had the Republicans approached me first, I would have signed up with them."

Q: Isn't it a fact that George Bush cut the education budget by 27 percent and his No Child Left Behind program is just a smokescreen for anti-education policies?

A: According to numerous news stories and the budget of the U.S. government, you are incorrect. Under President Bush, the budget for the Department of Education has grown 58 percent.

Apparently, however, there is a Democratic National Committee advertisement that ran on the Internet putting forth the 27 percent cut. This ad justifies that number by pointing out that Bush asked Congress to appropriate less than the maximum amount of money Congress authorized for the No Child Left Behind Act. Even within this context, however, Bush did not "cut" education spending.

Regarding your question about the motives of Bush's education policy, that is for you to decide for yourself. Before the election season began, conventional wisdom was that Bush was due high marks for education reform. Since campaigning began in earnest, however, he has come under more frequent criticism. Quotes from experts can be found on both sides of the issue, although few question Bush's devotion to the subject.

It is interesting to note that Sen. John Kerry, who is running for president against Bush, voted in favor of No Child Left Behind and continues to support it, although he does advocate several modifications. Kerry also pledges to spend more money on education than Bush would.

Jon K. Rust is co-president of Rust Communications. E-mail him questions at factorfiction @semissourian.com.