Chris Christie To Make Urban Education Reform Campaign Focal Point

Republican candidate Christopher Christie plans to focus on education reform for poorer schools as a way to align himself with Democrats and cut into support for Gov. Jon Corzine, a report in the New York Times said. According to the report, Mr. Christie is pushing for education reform -- merit pay for teachers, more charter schools, and vouchers --as a way to give poor children better educational choices. Christie said in an interview with the New York Times that his views align with national Education Secretary Arne Duncan, gambling that school choice has become popular enough among urban blacks and Latinos that he can cut into their support for Corzine, who opposes it, the report said. For example, Rev. Reginald T. Jackson, longtime head of the Black Ministers' Council and a supporter of school vouchers, is scheduled to appear with Mr. Christie at a Camden high school on Monday, the report said. (Star Ledger)