Obama spokesman: President not taking sides in teacher strike - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

As negotiators continue their efforts to end the Chicago teachers' strike that began today, the issue has entered the presidential campaign.

Mitt Romney said today that Chicago teachers are turning their backs on thousands of students -- and that President Barack Obama is rooting for the teachers.

But Obama's top spokesman says the president has not taken sides. He says Obama is urging the teachers and the city to settle quickly.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel -- Obama's former chief of staff -- has said the strike was unnecessary, since negotiators were making progress. Emanuel today told teachers, "Don't take it out on the kids of Chicago if you have a problem with me."

And Emanuel called Romney's comments "lip service." He added that he didn't give "two hoots" for national commentary on the teachers' strike and efforts to end it.

He also criticized Romney for backing proposals to cut taxes that the Chicago mayor says would end up hurting students nationwide.