This NYT editorial challenges Obama to show that he will truly "change the old order of things" and break out of "catering to special pleaders". It would be hard to find a better issue than education reform with which to demonstrate this, so let's hope that his speech to the NEA is just the start of some bold new ideas in this area that shake up the immoral and unacceptable status quo.

Senator Barack Obama stirred his legions of supporters, and raised our hopes, promising to change the old order of things. He spoke with passion about breaking out of the partisan mold of bickering and catering to special pleaders, promised to end President Bush’s abuses of power and subverting of the Constitution and disowned the big-money power brokers who have corrupted Washington politics.

Now there seems to be a new Barack Obama on the hustings.

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July 4, 2008

NYT Editorial

www.nytimes.com/2008/07/04/opinion/04fri1.html