The New Jersey Teachers Union and its advocates, Corzine among them, is against vouchers, charter schools and anything that smacks of competition. But The Times [see our post here]reports the Democrats who have broken with the NJEA include Newark Mayor Cory Booker, Sen. Ray Lesniak, South Jersey political broker George Norcross, the Rev. Reginald Jackson of the Black Ministers Council and Martin Perez of the Latino Leadership Alliance. Some heavy hitters. And smart folks who see the education system is failing, especially in urban areas, needs to be fixed. This is the kind of campaign from which heroes emerge.

Corzine and his education department show no interest in making real reforms. Christie told the NJEA he wasn’t interested in seeking its endorsement, a smart move since it will go to Corzine anyway. He faces a risk of alienating its 200,000 members but most of them are smart enough to see the political games played in their name. The dedicated teachers want a great education system. They know failure when they see it. The union wants to collect dues and throw its weight around. The kids are an after thought.

Bob Ingle of the Courier Post’s Politics Patrol on Christie’s strategy of offending the teachers union and achieving alliances with “heavy hitters” dedicated to school reform.