It's been a hard week for Momma Bears as Trump's controversial pick for Secretary of Education narrowly made it through committee. It took two rounds of voting but the HELP Committee chaired by our own Senator Lamar Alexander approved the nomination 12-11 along party lines.
The vote in DC may have been partisan but back in Tennessee, both Republicans and Democrats were equally critical of Betsy DeVos. Sadly, their emails and petitions to Sen. Alexander fell on deaf ears as he responded to his constituents with what can only be described as a sappy love letter professing his great admiration for voucher advocate Betsy DeVos.
Disgusted by the "Lamar loves Betsy" response, thousands of Tennesseans turned to their other senator, Bob Corker as word got out that his staff was tallying phone calls for and against the DeVos nomination. Social media posts sharing his office phone numbers provoked a calling frenzy resulting in busy circuits and full voice mailboxes.
But all hopes were dashed when Sen. Corker posted that he is proudly supporting his old friend, Betsy DeVos.
The vote in DC may have been partisan but back in Tennessee, both Republicans and Democrats were equally critical of Betsy DeVos. Sadly, their emails and petitions to Sen. Alexander fell on deaf ears as he responded to his constituents with what can only be described as a sappy love letter professing his great admiration for voucher advocate Betsy DeVos.
Disgusted by the "Lamar loves Betsy" response, thousands of Tennesseans turned to their other senator, Bob Corker as word got out that his staff was tallying phone calls for and against the DeVos nomination. Social media posts sharing his office phone numbers provoked a calling frenzy resulting in busy circuits and full voice mailboxes.
But all hopes were dashed when Sen. Corker posted that he is proudly supporting his old friend, Betsy DeVos.
Corker Called Coward, Traitor, Arrogant, Disgusting & Worse
Corker's Facebook post has set off a firestorm of reactions. At last count, nearly 4,000 people are angry about it and another 400 are sad according to the Facebook reaction emojis.
Over FIVE THOUSAND irate comments were posted within 24 hours and they just keep coming.
Here are a few of our favorites. And you can get in on action by clicking here.
Over FIVE THOUSAND irate comments were posted within 24 hours and they just keep coming.
Here are a few of our favorites. And you can get in on action by clicking here.
How can you support this? You will destroy schools, teacher's jobs, children's education. Why are you not listening to the people who elected you?
Oh vomit.
You should be ashamed of yourself. I know for a fact you received at minimum hundreds of calls opposing this. You are no man of the people and obviously do not respect or care about your constituents.
You're not a good person. You know that, right?
Senator Bob Corker,
I am a member of your constituency. I do not believe that Mrs. DeVos is the right person for the job, and you've not changed my mind with this statement. Our educational system needs more than "heart" and vague "ideas" from its leaders. It needs experience, wisdom, and compassion. Mrs. DeVos has none of those qualities.
Please vote "NO" at the confirmation hearing for Betsy DeVos.
You obviously do not understand what your constituents are feeling about your dear friend, Betsy....that would be a great big NO for her nomination.
I voted for you, but never again since your vote for DeVos.
Can't wait to vote you out!! You literally ignored your constituents from BOTH sides of the aisle. See you!!!
I'm caring and passionate about healthcare but that doesn't make me a doctor! As an educator it is obvious you, and Betsy DeVos know nothing about education. Represent your constituents! Sadly the children will pay for your ignorance.
You are a discredit to your state and a traitor to your constituents. DeVos is unqualified and has a record of destroying public education. NO NO NO!
Shame on you, Mr Corker!
Our Senators have become so comfortable and secure in their positions that they no longer need the support of their constituents. The best we can do is vote them out along with their arrogance.
Your claim about DeVos and the IDEA is simply dishonest. She stated over and again that decisions about educating students with disabilities should be left to the states.
As a pediatrician, father and Republican, I am ashamed you would support this nomination. This is not the time for partisan politics. She is ill equipped, ill experienced and a danger to our children. A vote for her is a dagger to your career. You are a fool. Vote no.
Amazing. 2.4k have clicked angry yet Corker will vote to confirm her. I know at least 2.4k who won't be voting for him ever again.
You lying sack of sh*t. DeVos utterly bombed Individuals With Disabilities Education Act questions, first saying she would leave it up to the states, and when pressed, had no answer as to how states might ignore federal regulations at their whim.
She may have a heart, but she doesn't have a clue.
What is he smoking or does she know his secrets???
COME ON CORKER.
How much did your vote cost her?
Everyone here needs to personally watch the confirmation hearings so you can know exactly how full of sh*t both Corker and DeVos both are.
TN will hopefully never be blue. Still I hope he changes his mind and votes no on this one.
What kind of alternative facts are you trying to pass to your constituencies? Shame on you for thinking about yourself and not our nations children!
A vote for Betsy DeVos is a vote against public education. This is a sad day in America.
I am very disappointed in you Senator, you have not listened to the people of Tennessee. It is a shame you feel this way. I am asking you to vote against Betsy DeVos . We don't need someone like her over education.
No. From a lifelong teacher at public, private, and post-secondary schools, this is not the right person for this job.
You're disgusting, you're not doing what's in the best interest of the children of TN.
Nope. You'll never live this down, Bob Corker. Shame on you.
Look at that....over 3000 comments and climbing. Senate elections have been lost by that margin. Does that get your attention?
If you truly believe these words, Senator, then you don't belong in public service any more than Ms DeVos does. Your support of an avid crusader against public education is wrong at best and political pandering at worst. I'm embarrassed for you.
How can she enforce IDEA when she doesn't even know what it is?? Vote No!
I guess the days of being a public servant for the people are long gone. I hope you have to find a new job in 2018. DeVos is the absolute WORSE choice for this position. I honestly cannot think of anyone worse.
I am a Tennessean and I completely disagree with your characterization of DeVos. She is way under qualified to be the Secretary of Ed. Your and Alexander's unwavering support of her is embarrassing, especially considering how many of your constituents and other Americans are against her appointment. I could literally not get through to you or Alexander by phone due to the high call volume. I expect that if you run for office again, you will have an uphill battle stemming from this and your choice to not address some of the other questionable things the administration is doing. I certainly will not be voting for you ever again.
Disgusting. She's does not have experience. She simply knows the right people. She has no idea about public education or special education. She is NOT the person for this position. You do NOT represent me, a Tennessean, if you support her. Shouldn't you be voting as per your constituency? I'll be voting against you in the next election because you clearly don't have the people's voice as your priority.
I am ashamed of both our Senators! They are selling out the students of Tennessee! Both both DeVos is all about privatizing public schools.. more billionaires getting wealth and power through the education of our children!
I do not support DeVos and neither should you. Doubtful that you will take the time to listen to your voicemail messages (the mailbox is full) but I just wanted you to know that I have voted for you in the past but, since you have made it clear that you do not put the interests of your constituents ahead of your own, I will not make that mistake again. In fact, I will go out of my way to support whoever runs against you!
What really is at stake here is the future of educating our country's children. Please put politics aside and do the right thing for,our kids..for their sake and the future of our country. Do the right thing for heavens sake!
You obviously aren't listening to your constituents then, SIR! Not even the teachers in your state want her confirmed!! She will singlehandedly ruin our education system! SHAME ON YOU!!!
She certainly has not advocated for all children and couldn't be bothered to learn basic US education laws like IDEA before pretending to be competent for this position. Our children and the entire country deserve better. Without access to transportation, the vouchers she proposes do nothing to help the underprivileged.
You went against what? 100% of your actual constituents' wishes. You seem to be confused about how this works.
Hope this vote costs you your seat!!!
Wow, I can't find a single comment in support of you here.
She has no experience or respect for the public school system which she will oversee. This will not be forgotten in 2018, Mr. Corker.
Please listen to the people you represent You can still make this right.
I'm sorry I didn't have enough money to buy your vote, but I'm a special ed teacher.
As a pediatrician and educator, I am so ashamed on your behalf. I will mobilize all of the energy, resources, and personnel at my disposal to prevent your reelection.
And just which planet have you been on besides Earth? Your stubborn insistence, and this ingratiatingly pitiful post, reaffirm my belief that you do NOT listen to, nor represent your constituents. DeVos was as clueless at the charade of a confirmation hearing as these words of yours are.
Listen to your constituents!
We need strong public schools for ALL students. Not vouchers for some to go to private schools which may not really be "good, but often are discriminatory. Support public schools and education for everybody. DeVos is not for all students if she is for vouchers.
Sellout. You can count on my vote NOT going to you again.
Senator Corker, Mrs. DeVos most probably has a good heart and surely cares for children. But her confirmation hearing clearly demonstrated that she is uninformed on education issues that do not conform to her world view and is woefully unprepared to lead the Department of Education. As a constituent from Knoxville, I have previously defended you on positions that you have taken, but your recent turn to ingratiate yourself with the new administration reflects poorly on you and our great state. This is a perilous time for our country and we need grown ups on both sides to do what is right for our nation. Please be on the correct side of history on this issue and the many more to follow.
Answer your phone, pay attention to your constituents. Never again #votenooncorker
Shameful. You are a disgrace to this state. She could not be less qualified and has no respect for public education, and you know it.
It's great she has a passion for change - the facts are she isn't qualified for this job.
She has not strengthened schools in MI, she has weakened them. Creating charter schools that get federal money, but that do NOT have the same accountability for those funds...... the money gets channeled into the private pockets.
She has never attended public school. She never sent her kids to public school. She hasn't lived the life of a public school teacher. She is not for all students - look at her record in MI.
Confirming her is a mistake for our students - but probably good for your pocket book. She and her family like to donate copious amounts of money for favors in policy. This is unfortunately not about public education and is about you getting donations. You should be embarrassed.
Betsy was so ill-prepared for her confirmation hearing it was painful to watch. She clearly wants schools to be privately owned and barely regulated so people can teach and educate ANYWAY they want.
If teachers have to be highly qualified to teach why doesn't Betsy have to be highly qualified for her job?
I am more qualified to be the SoE than she is.
May I ask why you insist on voting against the interests of the very people you were elected to represent? Your assumption that you know better than your constituents is galling.
She's bad news for public education, period. Shame on you Corker!!
Look at these comments! Bob, YOU DO NOT represent your constituents! This woman does not have the necessary qualifications and experience to be Secretary of Education. She is a joke. NOW YOU ARE TOO!!
Corker, the way you have abandoned your constituents disgusts me. As an educator of ten years, I recognize that Betsy DeVos isn't qualified. You know this, and you've had thousands and thousands of opposition phone calls from constituents. Why are you still supporting DeVos?
Just because you "advocate" DOES NOT mean you should be "rewarded" by being appointed to run the company or department!! What a horrible representation of Tennessee! We are already in bad shape educationally and you stand there and defend putting this billionaire bozo as secretary of education!!!!! What is wrong with you???
For the sake of our children's future #DumpDeVos and say no to the $70k they paid for your vote!
Senator, I urge you to listen to your voters. Please don't turn your back on us.
Did you have a nice little lunch with Mrs. DeVos last week? Please do not insult our intelligence! Your constituents are apparently not as stupid as you would like for us to be. Please tell me what she has done for public education. I need specifics as her track record in Michigan is appalling. She has done nothing to support or promote public education. EVERYTHING she has done in regards to eduction has been in an effort to dismantle public education! She referred to public education as a "dead end!" I urge you to reconsider. Be the Republican Senator that puts children before party and hefty donors. VOTE NO!!!! Your constituents have spoken loud and clear. Should you have further political aspirations, you better think long and hard before you vote yes. I firmly believe a yes vote on your part will be political suicide. I do not think you will see another term if you ignore the will of the people. I also believe a no vote could boost you politically. You would be a hero to parents, students, and teachers. If you think the will of the people does not matter, look who is sitting in the White House!!! BE A HERO!! SECURE ANOTHER TERM IN THE SENATE!! VOTE NO TO CONFIRM BETSY DEVOS!!!!!
Coward
Oh vomit.
You should be ashamed of yourself. I know for a fact you received at minimum hundreds of calls opposing this. You are no man of the people and obviously do not respect or care about your constituents.
You're not a good person. You know that, right?
Senator Bob Corker,
I am a member of your constituency. I do not believe that Mrs. DeVos is the right person for the job, and you've not changed my mind with this statement. Our educational system needs more than "heart" and vague "ideas" from its leaders. It needs experience, wisdom, and compassion. Mrs. DeVos has none of those qualities.
Please vote "NO" at the confirmation hearing for Betsy DeVos.
You obviously do not understand what your constituents are feeling about your dear friend, Betsy....that would be a great big NO for her nomination.
I voted for you, but never again since your vote for DeVos.
Can't wait to vote you out!! You literally ignored your constituents from BOTH sides of the aisle. See you!!!
I'm caring and passionate about healthcare but that doesn't make me a doctor! As an educator it is obvious you, and Betsy DeVos know nothing about education. Represent your constituents! Sadly the children will pay for your ignorance.
You are a discredit to your state and a traitor to your constituents. DeVos is unqualified and has a record of destroying public education. NO NO NO!
Shame on you, Mr Corker!
Our Senators have become so comfortable and secure in their positions that they no longer need the support of their constituents. The best we can do is vote them out along with their arrogance.
Your claim about DeVos and the IDEA is simply dishonest. She stated over and again that decisions about educating students with disabilities should be left to the states.
As a pediatrician, father and Republican, I am ashamed you would support this nomination. This is not the time for partisan politics. She is ill equipped, ill experienced and a danger to our children. A vote for her is a dagger to your career. You are a fool. Vote no.
Amazing. 2.4k have clicked angry yet Corker will vote to confirm her. I know at least 2.4k who won't be voting for him ever again.
You lying sack of sh*t. DeVos utterly bombed Individuals With Disabilities Education Act questions, first saying she would leave it up to the states, and when pressed, had no answer as to how states might ignore federal regulations at their whim.
She may have a heart, but she doesn't have a clue.
What is he smoking or does she know his secrets???
COME ON CORKER.
How much did your vote cost her?
Everyone here needs to personally watch the confirmation hearings so you can know exactly how full of sh*t both Corker and DeVos both are.
TN will hopefully never be blue. Still I hope he changes his mind and votes no on this one.
What kind of alternative facts are you trying to pass to your constituencies? Shame on you for thinking about yourself and not our nations children!
A vote for Betsy DeVos is a vote against public education. This is a sad day in America.
I am very disappointed in you Senator, you have not listened to the people of Tennessee. It is a shame you feel this way. I am asking you to vote against Betsy DeVos . We don't need someone like her over education.
No. From a lifelong teacher at public, private, and post-secondary schools, this is not the right person for this job.
You're disgusting, you're not doing what's in the best interest of the children of TN.
Nope. You'll never live this down, Bob Corker. Shame on you.
Look at that....over 3000 comments and climbing. Senate elections have been lost by that margin. Does that get your attention?
If you truly believe these words, Senator, then you don't belong in public service any more than Ms DeVos does. Your support of an avid crusader against public education is wrong at best and political pandering at worst. I'm embarrassed for you.
How can she enforce IDEA when she doesn't even know what it is?? Vote No!
I guess the days of being a public servant for the people are long gone. I hope you have to find a new job in 2018. DeVos is the absolute WORSE choice for this position. I honestly cannot think of anyone worse.
I am a Tennessean and I completely disagree with your characterization of DeVos. She is way under qualified to be the Secretary of Ed. Your and Alexander's unwavering support of her is embarrassing, especially considering how many of your constituents and other Americans are against her appointment. I could literally not get through to you or Alexander by phone due to the high call volume. I expect that if you run for office again, you will have an uphill battle stemming from this and your choice to not address some of the other questionable things the administration is doing. I certainly will not be voting for you ever again.
Disgusting. She's does not have experience. She simply knows the right people. She has no idea about public education or special education. She is NOT the person for this position. You do NOT represent me, a Tennessean, if you support her. Shouldn't you be voting as per your constituency? I'll be voting against you in the next election because you clearly don't have the people's voice as your priority.
I am ashamed of both our Senators! They are selling out the students of Tennessee! Both both DeVos is all about privatizing public schools.. more billionaires getting wealth and power through the education of our children!
I do not support DeVos and neither should you. Doubtful that you will take the time to listen to your voicemail messages (the mailbox is full) but I just wanted you to know that I have voted for you in the past but, since you have made it clear that you do not put the interests of your constituents ahead of your own, I will not make that mistake again. In fact, I will go out of my way to support whoever runs against you!
What really is at stake here is the future of educating our country's children. Please put politics aside and do the right thing for,our kids..for their sake and the future of our country. Do the right thing for heavens sake!
You obviously aren't listening to your constituents then, SIR! Not even the teachers in your state want her confirmed!! She will singlehandedly ruin our education system! SHAME ON YOU!!!
She certainly has not advocated for all children and couldn't be bothered to learn basic US education laws like IDEA before pretending to be competent for this position. Our children and the entire country deserve better. Without access to transportation, the vouchers she proposes do nothing to help the underprivileged.
You went against what? 100% of your actual constituents' wishes. You seem to be confused about how this works.
Hope this vote costs you your seat!!!
Wow, I can't find a single comment in support of you here.
She has no experience or respect for the public school system which she will oversee. This will not be forgotten in 2018, Mr. Corker.
Please listen to the people you represent You can still make this right.
I'm sorry I didn't have enough money to buy your vote, but I'm a special ed teacher.
As a pediatrician and educator, I am so ashamed on your behalf. I will mobilize all of the energy, resources, and personnel at my disposal to prevent your reelection.
And just which planet have you been on besides Earth? Your stubborn insistence, and this ingratiatingly pitiful post, reaffirm my belief that you do NOT listen to, nor represent your constituents. DeVos was as clueless at the charade of a confirmation hearing as these words of yours are.
Listen to your constituents!
We need strong public schools for ALL students. Not vouchers for some to go to private schools which may not really be "good, but often are discriminatory. Support public schools and education for everybody. DeVos is not for all students if she is for vouchers.
Sellout. You can count on my vote NOT going to you again.
Senator Corker, Mrs. DeVos most probably has a good heart and surely cares for children. But her confirmation hearing clearly demonstrated that she is uninformed on education issues that do not conform to her world view and is woefully unprepared to lead the Department of Education. As a constituent from Knoxville, I have previously defended you on positions that you have taken, but your recent turn to ingratiate yourself with the new administration reflects poorly on you and our great state. This is a perilous time for our country and we need grown ups on both sides to do what is right for our nation. Please be on the correct side of history on this issue and the many more to follow.
Answer your phone, pay attention to your constituents. Never again #votenooncorker
Shameful. You are a disgrace to this state. She could not be less qualified and has no respect for public education, and you know it.
It's great she has a passion for change - the facts are she isn't qualified for this job.
She has not strengthened schools in MI, she has weakened them. Creating charter schools that get federal money, but that do NOT have the same accountability for those funds...... the money gets channeled into the private pockets.
She has never attended public school. She never sent her kids to public school. She hasn't lived the life of a public school teacher. She is not for all students - look at her record in MI.
Confirming her is a mistake for our students - but probably good for your pocket book. She and her family like to donate copious amounts of money for favors in policy. This is unfortunately not about public education and is about you getting donations. You should be embarrassed.
Betsy was so ill-prepared for her confirmation hearing it was painful to watch. She clearly wants schools to be privately owned and barely regulated so people can teach and educate ANYWAY they want.
If teachers have to be highly qualified to teach why doesn't Betsy have to be highly qualified for her job?
I am more qualified to be the SoE than she is.
May I ask why you insist on voting against the interests of the very people you were elected to represent? Your assumption that you know better than your constituents is galling.
She's bad news for public education, period. Shame on you Corker!!
Look at these comments! Bob, YOU DO NOT represent your constituents! This woman does not have the necessary qualifications and experience to be Secretary of Education. She is a joke. NOW YOU ARE TOO!!
Corker, the way you have abandoned your constituents disgusts me. As an educator of ten years, I recognize that Betsy DeVos isn't qualified. You know this, and you've had thousands and thousands of opposition phone calls from constituents. Why are you still supporting DeVos?
Just because you "advocate" DOES NOT mean you should be "rewarded" by being appointed to run the company or department!! What a horrible representation of Tennessee! We are already in bad shape educationally and you stand there and defend putting this billionaire bozo as secretary of education!!!!! What is wrong with you???
For the sake of our children's future #DumpDeVos and say no to the $70k they paid for your vote!
Senator, I urge you to listen to your voters. Please don't turn your back on us.
Did you have a nice little lunch with Mrs. DeVos last week? Please do not insult our intelligence! Your constituents are apparently not as stupid as you would like for us to be. Please tell me what she has done for public education. I need specifics as her track record in Michigan is appalling. She has done nothing to support or promote public education. EVERYTHING she has done in regards to eduction has been in an effort to dismantle public education! She referred to public education as a "dead end!" I urge you to reconsider. Be the Republican Senator that puts children before party and hefty donors. VOTE NO!!!! Your constituents have spoken loud and clear. Should you have further political aspirations, you better think long and hard before you vote yes. I firmly believe a yes vote on your part will be political suicide. I do not think you will see another term if you ignore the will of the people. I also believe a no vote could boost you politically. You would be a hero to parents, students, and teachers. If you think the will of the people does not matter, look who is sitting in the White House!!! BE A HERO!! SECURE ANOTHER TERM IN THE SENATE!! VOTE NO TO CONFIRM BETSY DEVOS!!!!!
Coward
