America's Education Reform Lobby Makes Its Presence Known At The Voting Booth:

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America's Education Reform Lobby Makes Its Presence Known At The Voting Booth

First Posted: 11/22/11 04:55 PM ET Updated: 11/22/11 06:00 PM ET

Meet the new education lobby.

It's ambitious, expansive and, in some cases, modeling itself after sprawling single-issue lobbying organizations like the National Rifle Association and AARP. The groups, which have in large part been created by hedge fund managers and lapsed government officials, count political operatives inside state legislatures and even the Democratic National Committee among their ranks. And they're using the power of their fundraisers' purses and sophisticated messaging outfits to push their agendas in local and school-board elections across the country.

"We've been trying to win this battle by blogging and making compelling arguments," said Michael Petrilli, executive vice president for the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, which supports charter schools,