The state Republican party chairman is accusing the Virginia Education Association of playing politics in school.

Del. Jeffrey M. Frederick, the state GOP party chair, says it was an "outrage" that some VEA members participated in "Obama Blue Day" on Tuesday, when members were asked to wear blue and register two voters or talk to them about Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama.

The event announcement was sent from the National Education Association to some VEA administrators, who passed the note along on Sept. 25 to a "limited list of local association leaders and members who have volunteered to receive information about political activities," according to VEA President Kitty Boitnott.

Obama is the NEA's "recommended candidate" in the 2008 presidential contest with Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain.

The e-mail states that association members are not to wear their Obama shirts, but the color blue, which is the TV color-code for Democrats.

Members are told not to conduct political activity during the school day, said Boitnott, who added that participation in the day was "miserable" and that even she forgot to wear blue and showed up to work in red -- the TV color code for Republicans.

Boitnott said teachers have historically taught students about their role in the democratic process. She said making "Obama Blue Day" an issue "is sour grapes because the McCain campaign is not doing so well in Virginia."

Contact Olympia Meola at (804) 649-6812 or omeola@timesdispatch.com.