Politics on the Hudson

As expected, Bono did not an endorse Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign during a just concluded conference call. Instead, he focused on the Education for All Act of 2007, which is sponsored by, among others, Rep. Nita Lowey and Clinton.

“This is really mind blowing stuff,� Bono said about the bill, which promotes primary school education around the world and would boost U.S. funding on international education aid by $10 billion over five years.

“Let’s be clear,â€? Bono said. “We’re not talking about stuffing schools full of books about George Washington and having kids stand and salute your flag or mine. We’re not talking about teaching western values to South African children, unless by Western values you mean things like curiosity, asking questions, thinking for yourself. That’s the sort of stuff we’re after.â€?

Later, Bono, the lead singer of U2, compared the drive to spread primary education around the world to President Kennedy’s drive to land a man on the moon. “I believe this legislation is the launching pad for what I believe could be this generation’s moon shot.�

While he offered kind words for all of the bill’s sponsors, Bono saved his strongest praise for Lowey. “You are extraordinary Nita Lowey.�