If there’s one thing everyone opposing Common Core has seen, it’s the talking point from the supporters saying that opposition to Common Core is “political”.

@educationgadfly says #CCSS should have been a “quiet experiment” and blames anti-Obamaism critics http://t.co/7A4JIn3FXQ #stopcommoncore

— Stop CCSS in NYS (@StopCCSSinNYS) July 28, 2014

I’ve documented the ‘politicizing’ here in North Carolina – Rep. Cotham is one of the bigger offenders, but this talking point is a nationwide effort. Common Core supporters have a well-funded PR/messaging machine and they all tow the latest talking point lines.

Missouri Education Watchdog (MEW) has an article up documenting the latest shift.

#Commoncore is all about politics. Stop whining how it’s ‘political’. http://t.co/jplxrc2gmb #stopcommoncore @LadyLiberty1885

— Logue (@manateespirit) July 28, 2014

In a nutshell:

Old ‘n busted: Common Core opposition is political.
New hotness: Nothing political about standards.

When did the shift start?
When Bill Gates sent his wife out with the message:

Nashville Public Radio | Melinda Gates Says Common Core Has Become Too Political – Nashville Public Radio http://t.co/TNMEG1Alhj — Coopmike48 (@coopmike48) July 17, 2014

Why the shift?
Demonizing teachers and parents in the typical manner politics uses isn’t working. The public doesn’t take well to their elected officials mocking them and by proxy, their children.

Repealing Common Core standards is political stunt – WISC Madison – http://t.co/fdLUsB1nPf — Developmental Ed (@DevEdOrg) July 23, 2014

.@Mayor_Smith LOVES Common Core. Said it’s become a political issue. “Really?” No kidding. @arizonapbs @azgov — Grand Canyon (@AZLiveFree) July 22, 2014

In fact, the ‘politicizing’ campaign is backfiring on the Common Core machine. Also, the hypocrisy of such a smear campaign has not gone unnoticed.  Citizens see it clearly and are fighting back.

2 trade groups & 6 political operatives radically revamped US education in secret. Help all learn #CommonCore truth by sharing our free app! — Rob Cunningham (@Rob_Cunningham) July 25, 2014

The battle over #CommonCore has put students’ interests on the back-burner for political gain http://t.co/MvrJClYXDe — Kaitlin Pennington (@KPennington23) July 24, 2014

No matter what political side you’re on, whether you’re a parent or not, you MUST educate yourself on #CommonCore #wewillnotconform — Alyssa Lafage (@AlyssaLafage) July 23, 2014

Malkin- Americans have “transcended political/ideological lines” & empower themselves with the facts of #CommonCore. #thegovernmenthatesthat — Triumphant Times (@triumphtimes) July 22, 2014

Reminder, NC’s State Superintendent used the term “political football” to try to defend the lack of transparency in NC’s adoption of Common Core.