Wake County school board member John Tedesco has what he calls his own version of a liberal "unholy trinity."

During a recent speech to the Northern Wake Republican Club, Tedesco said the members of the unholy trinity are the NAACP, the Great Schools in Wake Coalition and Raleigh FIST, a self-proclaimed anarchist group. All three groups have been fiercely critical of the school board for eliminating the use of socioeconomic diversity in student assignment.

"They will try and scare people," Tedesco said of the three groups. "People use fear. These are cowards who understand that anger can be power as long as there is a victim on TV. So they will strike fear."

Also during the speech, Tedesco said national critics of the school board such as former President Bill Clinton are going after the school board members because they're scared they'll succeed.

"If we can show them ...what great success conservatives can have in revamping public education, they're done," Tedesco said to the crowd. "They're done, and they know that. You are on the forefront of a national movement that is going to strengthen and reform public education for our children, for our communities. It's needed, it's necessary and it's needed now."

GOP wants solidarity

What do relationships and school board politics have in common?

Apparently both place a high value on commitment.

During recent speeches to the Northern Wake Republican Club, Wake County school board members repeatedly talked about how they need to elect candidates who will show commitment to their campaign promises.

School board Vice Chairwoman Debra Goldman has denied accusations from some of her fellow GOP colleagues of not following through on her campaign commitments when she was the swing vote siding with Democrats on several key votes.

"It's important that we elect candidates that are committed and will stay with their commitments and remain committed and follow through with the programs we've been able to initiate," board Chairman Ron Margiotta said.

Board member Deborah Prickett chimed in that they want new school board members who are "voting their commitment and their conscience."

Despite having in theory a GOP board majority with Goldman, Prickett said they still need help to "come up with that winning vote to make things happen here in Wake County."

Board member John Tedesco added: "We need to get a strong, solid team that's going to be committed to continuing the progress forward in the face of aggressive opposition."

Political trails

Wake County schools Superintendent Tony Tata will speak at the next Western Wake Democrats meeting on Monday at the IHOP at Kildaire Farm Road in Cary. Social hour begins at 6 p.m., with the program at 6:45 p.m. Send questions or RSVPs to westernwakedems@yahoo.com.

Kevin Daniels of the Frederick Douglass Foundation will speak at the next meeting of the Southern Wake Republican Club on Tuesday at Bentwinds Country Club at 6536 Dornoch Place in Fuquay-Varina. The meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. The Frederick Douglass Foundation is a public policy and educational organization that promotes free market and limited government ideas.

The Democratic Women of Wake County hold the 42nd annual Jefferson-Jackson Breakfast on April 30 at the Embassy Suites in Cary. Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the program starts at 9. A limited number of tickets will be available for $40 at the door. Proceeds will go to Democratic candidates. For more information, send email to JJbreakfasttickets@gmail.com.

Frank Perry, director of investigations and public affairs at the Foundation for Ethics in Public Service, will speak at the next meeting of the Republican Women of Cary and Southwestern Wake on Thursday, May 5. The lunch meeting begins with a social at 11:30 a.m., followed by the program at noon at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary. The cost is $15 for the buffet. RSVP to Victoria at 363-9574. For more information, go to www.rwcsw.org.

Triangle Politics is a weekly look at the local political scene. Got a tip, item or coming event? Fax Triangle Politics at 919-829-4529, or send e-mail to metroeds@newsobserver.com. Send items by noon Thursday.