Books, Arts & Manners: Revenge of the Blob

Inside American Education, by Thomas Sowell (Free Press, 368 pp., $24.95)

ONE noteworthy feature of Bill Clinton’s presidential candidacy was the widespread and outspoken support it received from educators at both the primary—secondary and the university levels. The two big teachers’ unions spared no effort or expense to elect the Clinton—Gore ticket. Dozens of college and university presidents also set aside their accustomed reticence with respect to partisan politics and bought full-page newspaper ads. By election day, it seemed as if the entire education “blob”—to use William J. Bennett’s evocative term— was in the Democratic camp.

About the Author

Chester E. Finn Jr.

Mr. Finn is the president emeritus of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute and a senior fellow at Stanford’s Hoover Institution.

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Inside American Education, by Thomas Sowell (Free Press, 368 pp., $24.95)

ONE noteworthy feature of Bill Clinton’s presidential candidacy was the widespread and outspoken support it received from educators at both the primary—secondary and the university levels. The two big teachers’ unions spared no effort or expense to elect the Clinton—Gore ticket. Dozens of college and university presidents also set aside their accustomed reticence with respect to partisan politics and bought full-page newspaper ads. By election day, it seemed as if the entire education “blob”—to use William J. Bennett’s evocative term— was in the Democratic camp.