Romney links Obama to Chicago teachers’ strike

Just hours after Chicago public teachers went on strike, Mitt Romney is trying to tie President Barack Obama to the controversial walkout, suggesting he's sided with teachers' unions over school kids.

In a statement issued by his campaign, Romney says he's "disappointed" by the Chicago Teachers Union strike to "turn its back on not only a city negotiating in good faith but also the hundreds of thousands of children relying on the city's public schools."

"Teachers unions have too often made plain that their interests conflict with those of our children, and today we are seeing one of the clearest examples yet," Romney said.

While Obama has not publicly commented on the Chicago walkout, Romney tried to tie the president to the strike, pointing to a speech Vice President Joe Biden delivered to the National Education Association last year in which he reaffirmed the administration's "affection" and "commitment" to teachers.

Echoing a line he frequently says in his stump speech, Romney said it's proof that Obama has put unions ahead of teachers.

"President Obama has chosen his side in this fight," Romney said. "I choose to side with the parents and students depending on public schools to give them the skills to succeed, and my plan for education reform will do exactly that."

It's a charge Romney is likely to repeat on the trail today, as he campaigns in Ohio and later in Chicago, where he's scheduled to attend a fundraiser Monday night.