If you missed this press conference, I encourage you to find it on the internet...it was something. Let’s discuss. 
I think it is safe to say that @SharkeyCTU1 isn’t going to get invited to @chicagosmayor house anytime soon for her preferred craft beer. And honestly, you kind of expect a level of dislike and exhaustion in both individuals at this point.
Tonight though...whew. When asked by a reporter how students are going to catch up for the lost instructional time. The Mayor’s response was along the lines of harm was already done and she isn’t rescheduling days. Which is weird...and then you realize she is talking about kids
Reducing harm to kids seems like one of those baseline, politicians need to do, kind of things. I mean if you don’t see harm reduction for kids as your job — what exactly does our mayor think her job is?
It is especially weird when you roll back tape from earlier in the week and she is saying she won’t reduce instructural time for kids by giving teachers more prep time. She will though tonight reduce instructional time for kids if it hurts teachers. Again what?
Which leads me to my next thought - what exactly is her end game here? This was her first strike. It didn’t go well. If your measure of success is how similar the contract ends up to what you first proposed...it went miserably.
At some point, someone the mayor trusts needs to convince her to end this, move on, tackle the next big issue our city is facing (there are plenty). This isn’t her mayorship, but it is quickly going to become what her mayorship was about if she doesn’t move on.
I get it. The hardest thing for me to do is move on when I feel slighted or when I believe I am right. However, you don’t bat 1000 in politics - you can’t. You have to lick your wounds, move on and get your next win. (Also this contract is like a really great win for kids).
I mean read the room. Over 200 of your teachers voted tonight to keep striking you. 200 teachers tonight went against leadership because they compromised (in their eyes) too early. What possible goal was set for tonight’s press conference? Unify the group in opposition more?
I would be remiss not to mention the “Last question.“ can we discuss this for a minute. I don’t know the reporter who asked it but there is real news here. Either @GovPritzker and the two GA leaders were lying today or the Mayor is completely out of the loop. Which is it? #Twill
And if they were lying to CTU and the public - why would you disclose this? If the three leaders speaking to the media about these critical legislative bills is what it took for the delegates to feel comfortable voting for the TA - your statement completely undercuts it.
It is as if you really have no desire to end this at all. Which is my greatest fear. Bruce Rauner believed with enough pain he could bend the will of his opponents. I am not sure how to read tonight other than Rauneresque.
Having watched that disaster from a front row seat, I can tell you - you don’t win. Nobody does. The kids of Chicago will carry the real pain...and for what? 10 days? The #CTUstrike needs to come to an end. It is time to move on Mayor.
