Endorsements just don't carry as much weight as they used to. Even using our show as an example, we had a few teachers call in and say while they support their union, they don't support Thompson. People will make up their own mind in the end and a lot of it will be based on personality.

After sitting on the sidelines in the last mayoral election, the United Federation of Teachers announced today it is endorsing former City Comptroller Bill Thompson for mayor. The endorsement from the powerful teachers union is expected to give Thompson a boost in the polls and more "get out the vote" support leading up to Election Day.

Earlier in the week, Mayor Bloomberg said the UFT's endorsement is nothing more than a "kiss of death." The Bloomberg administration has clashed with union leadership over teacher contracts, evaluations, tenure, and test prep in recent years.

What's your reaction to Bill Thompson receiving the endorsement of the teachers union? How will it affect the race for City Hall? Will it influence your vote? Do you consider the UFT's support a "kiss of death"? Which mayoral candidate is best suited to oversee the Department of Education?

Send your thoughts using the link above.

I think it was a good choice. He has some good ideas and the schools need fixing, Bloomberg will leave them in shambles. I would like to see a Thompson vs Lhota election. Anything but an extension of the Bloomberg Oligarchy.

Roscoe
Park Hill

I am proud to stand with my brothers/sisters of the UFT to endorse Bill Thompson.

He believes in fair contracts, respect and just relying on test scores for students!

I support this endorsement!!!

I invite him to spend a day with my students and I in September!

Fanilow
Flushing

I think Thompson will do very well at the polls and as Mayor. It was very close
in the last election and of course it was quite obvious that there were some
shenanigans that went on.

As far as the remark that Bloomberg made. Well it just goes to show you that instead
of making a remark such as “THE KISS OF DEATH” because Thompson accepted the
support of the UFT. The mayor should have given his blessings. But it just goes to show
us that no matter how much money and possessions he has this mayor has never, ever
shown any class at all.

THIS BLOOMBERG SHOULD ALSO REMEMBER THAT HE STOOPS SO LOW THAT HE
IMPOSES THE KISS OF DEATH ON EVERYONE JUST BY BUYING WHAT EVER HE WISHES
TO HAVE. NO MATTER WHAT IT MIGHT BE. PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS, ETC.

I’M AFRAID THAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO BE AND ALBATROSS AROUND ALL OF OUR
NECKS RIGHT ON TO THE END OF HIS STAY IN OFFICE AND FAR BEYOND THAT.

Maxxiee
Morris Park

I want our next mayor to make sure the students graduate on time so they'll be ready for college he or she should bring back bilingual education for the students if the parents dont know english they should be able to take classes so they can learn and they'll be abe to help their kids with homework and study for tests the kids are our future

Herman
Upper West Side

I think this is a mistake - Bill Thompson will not win the general election, if he even makes it to a runoff.

While I respect the work of teachers, their union's endorsement will not affect my vote (nor the votes of many teachers I know, who are not planning on voting for Thompson). I am a long-time public school parent who has been let down time and again by this administration. I will wholeheartedly support Bill de Blasio, who I think knows how to listen and to lead.

Anni
Upper West Side

THE ONLY DEATH IN THIS CITY IS THE MIDDLE CLASS CAUSE BY 12 YEARS OF BLOOMBERG

PEDRO
BRONX

He [Thompson] started his political career ar the Board of Ed. He had no children in the school system. The schools were a mess under his admin. The teachers unions endorsement makes me say NO to him. He is one of their own and will be beholden to the UFT.

Melissa
Manahattan

If the rank and file come out and support Bill Thompson - Bloomberg's comments will be lost on himself. Bill Thompson knows education. He should be the next Mayor of New York City. He is fair minded, he knows how to run a school system - he is a former President of the former Board of Education - he knows the workings of the system, he knows the needs inside the classrooms, he is familiar with the neighborhoods of NYC and will make sure that people can afford to live here, that classrooms have the materials they need, teachers are supported not degraded, etc. I think he's a good choice and I will happily throw my support behind him.

Jessica
Arden Heights

Any mayoral candidate that has the UFT’s endorsement should be rejected by parents. The UFT does not have our children’s best interest in mind. The UFT wants to run schools for adults not for children. The UFT needs to be actively opposed by parents if we, parents, want schools to improve.

Leo

I was planning to vote for Bill Thompson, and now I am pleased that my union, the UFT has endorsed him. He is an honorable, intelligent and ethical public servant. as for Mayor Bloomberg, since when is supporting hardworking, dedicated teachers, 'the kiss of death.' This shows the Mayor's disdain for the teaching profession, yet again. It will be a relief to have a mayor who truly understands education, and does not treat it as a business. I hope Bill Thompson wins the primary. I will vote for any Democrat in the general election except for Cristine Quinn, because of her support of Bloomberg's 3rd term.

Sally
Astoria

Greetings, the endorsement of the UFT for Mr. William Thompson put the demise in his race toward mayor. The UFT is not a union, that you want on your side. The parents of 1.2 million student are not fool by the UFT.

Liu, Deblasio, Albanese and the hispanic guy from the bronx are out. This race is going to come down to Quinn (God forbid), Weiner, and Thompson.

I'm not so sure thompson will win; I hoping Weiner can pull it off in a landslide. Like all your (our) other callers, I will vote for anyone but Quinn.

Kate
Midtown East

Is the UFT endorsement the kiss of death? Really -- then why did all the democratic candidates compete for it? Can Mayor Bloomberg answer that question. I am pleased with the UFT on their endorsement of Bill Thompson. Mayor Bloomberg's educational policies have systematically dismantled the public school system not enhanced them. People that believe the UFT is all to blame for the failure of public education and our schools are clearly not paying attention. Are school closures enhancing public education? Is primarily closing schools in minority neighborhoods enhancing public education? Is solely focusing on opening up charter schools enhancing public education? Are co-locations enhancing public education? Is demonizing teachers enhancing public education? Is adamantly focusing on test prep enhancing education?

Mayor Bloomberg has been the "Kiss of Death" to the NYC Public School System not the UFT.

Lisa
Upper East Side

Just got back from the debate

Heavy anti- Quinn vibe in the room

Weiner, thompson , Lou, deblasio all looked good

As far as the uft endorsement-
In the runoff between Quinn and Weiner - the uft will then endorse Weiner - I'm a uft delegate

Chris
Park Slope

Can we get Mr.Guilliani back please .

To many bleeding hearts and all the options there are liars , misfits or just looking for prestige .

Now the city is in a fast decline. We are going to be in dyer straights should any of these losers get in.

Bloomberg is bailing and already the crooks are gearing up for his departure.

He was a good Mayor during his first two terms but really lost it now.

Lets look at the beginning of the end.

Dirt bikers running rampad

The police cannot touch them. These gangs are terrorizing the streets. Ask our mayor why they can't solve this simple problem.now the answer is. No one cares. They use a lot of excuses but I am 100% sure Guilliani would have cleaned the problem up quick. Do you remember the Dinkins years. Alphabet city, south Brooklyn , south Bronx , Harlem . It will be back if the bleeding hearts get in charge.

Bill Thompson will listen to parents and the community and he will respect workers and teachers. He will be a positive voice and a breath of fresh air following this negative atmosphere that Maoyor Bloomberg has created.

Denise

Thomson will do what is right for the children of NYC. He will treat the Dept. of Ed as a way to improve the school system and not as a way to make the rich richer. Let's get back to the business of letting teachers teach!! Give the schools the funds they need to service the children of our great city. Thompson will get it done.

Hopeful in Queens