Chris Christie: THE NATIONAL TEACHER’S UNION IS “THE SINGLE MOST DESTRUCTIVE FORCE IN PUBLIC EDUCATION IN AMERICA”

from politico Morning Ed for Aug 3

NO CANDIDATE LEFT BEHIND: When CNN's Jake Tapper asked Sunday who on the national stage deserves a "punch in the face," 2016 Republican Candidate Chris Christie didn't skip a beat. "Oh, the national teacher's union who has already endorsed Hillary Clinton," Christie responded, referring to the American Federation of Teachers' early endorsement. He continued: "They are the single most destructive force to public education in America. I've been saying that since 2009. I've got the scars to show it. But I'm never going to stop saying it because they never change their stripes."

Watch the clip: http://cnn.it/1DjxsZq.

- New Jersey Education Association President Wendell Steinhauer shot back in a statement Sunday. "Chris Christie's instinct is always to threaten, bully and intimidate instead of build consensus and show true leadership. That's not news in New Jersey, where voters overwhelmingly reject his immature and inappropriate behavior as well as his failed policies and lack of leadership," Steinhauer said. More: http://politi.co/1N38Dki.