WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- Democrats Monday attacked a statement by the U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige, comparing the National Education Association to a "terrorist organization."
"Secretary Paige and the Bush administration have resorted to the most vile and disgusting form of hate speech, comparing those who teach America's children to terrorists," Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe said in a statement.
"... It is a revolting attack on America's teachers to suggest that it is an act of terrorism to disagree with President Bush and to be outspoken advocates for students and teachers."
Paige's comments were reportedly made during a meeting with the Republican Governors' Association.
The NEA is the largest U.S. teachers' association, and has criticized the Bush administration for budget cutbacks in the face of increased requirements in the president's 2001 No Child Left Behind Act.
The press secretary of Democratic presidential front-runner Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., also issued a statement Monday calling on Paige to apologize for his comments.
"These remarks are inappropriate, particularly at a time when our nation has experienced the devastation caused by terrorism," she said.
