Iowa Republicans: “What Is Common Core?”

Common Core — it’s going to be the biggest education issue for 2016 Republican presidential candidates, right?

Maybe not.

Bloomberg Politics has posted video of a focus group session with Iowa Republicans. Moderator John Heileman asks the panel (about 44 seconds in) if any of them think Common Core is important.

The response? Silence.

Finally, one man asks: “What is Common Core?”

Political reporters love to seek out a candidate’s Achilles’ heel. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, a presumptive presidential candidate, has been one of the most vocal supporters of the shared math and language arts standards.

Common Core has drawn passionate opposition — from conservatives and liberals — in Indiana, Florida and other states. But, maybe, Common Core won’t get the base moving like Obamacare did in past mid-term elections?

States have long set standards with little attention or controversy. But many got concerned when the federal government offered incentives to states to adopt the Common Core State Standards.

Whether Common Core is an issue that will sink Bush’s campaign seems far from certain.

For a roundup of stuff we’ve written on what polling says about support for Common Core, click here, here, here and here.