Michelle Obama’s proposed campaign event at Miami school sparks fury amongst Republican board member
Submitted by Jamie Williamson on Wed, 07/11/2012 - 06:54
Washington, July 11 : Republican members of the Miami-Dade School Board in Florida expressed their displeasure over US First Lady Michelle Obama holding a campaign event at a local high school.
Michelle is scheduled to help recruit campaign volunteers at an event at the Miami Lakes' Barbara Goleman Senior High, which is empty due to the students being on a summer vacation.
Republican board member Renier Diaz de la Portilla, demanded cancellation of the even. Another board member, Carlos Curbelo, who has worked as a Republican strategist, sent a letter to the school board's attorney saying it is "inappropriate" and "sends the wrong message".
"The use of public schools whose only focus should be to educate our children for political gain is downright wrong. Don't these liberals have boundaries? Our schools are places for learning, not places for politicking," the News York Daily News quoted Diaz de la Portilla, as saying, in a statement.
School board attorney Walter Harvey claimed that the Obama Campaign is simply renting the building, and under the Miami-Dade school board policy, any group can apply to lease facilities from the county's public schools.
He further said the district cannot discriminate against political groups.
Both presidential campaigns are frequently known to use public schools for campaign events.
Republican candidate Mitt Romney is also holding a town hall meeting Tuesday at the Central High School in Grand Junction, Colorado. (ANI)
