NEA launches new radio ad

bkrueger — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 12:46:08 -0400

The National Education Association has launched a new radio ad in North Carolina.

The NEA, in a release, says the ad "urges the North Carolina State Board of Education to continue its work on bringing 21st Century Skills into the classroom."

But the ad's main focus appears to be Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue, a Democratic candidate for governor who has been endorsed by the NEA's chapter here, the N.C. Association of Educators.

"You can find her on the carpet during circle time," says the ad, according to a script provided by the NEA. "And in the computer lab. And sitting at a teacher's desk.

"In every classroom across North Carolina, you can find Bev Perdue's imprint."

The 60-second ad goes on to talk about Perdue's work for Smart Start, to raise teacher salaries and to help more kids afford to attend college.

It ends by urging listeners to call Perdue to tell her "to keep fighting to make North Carolina's schools great and our children's futures bright."

Dan Kaufman, a spokesman for the NEA, said the ad is "not a political or campaign ad" for Perdue. He called it a "grassroots lobbying" ad that was paid for by dues money. He said the NEA did not coordinate the ad with the Perdue campaign.

"This is totally separate," he said.

Kaufman said the ad will run statewide for about two weeks.

Read a complete transcript of the ad after the jump.

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NEA launches new radio ad