Gibbs on Obama’s school speech: Mellow out
posted at 3:28 pm on September 4, 2009 by Allahpundit
They’re planning to release a copy of the speech on Monday so that parents can decide in advance whether listening to The One might turn their kids into children of the corn. I assume it’ll be perfectly palatable pap, although you never know: This is, after all, an administration staffed by Truthers, whose core health-care message during the critical August recess was “You’re a mob.”Pour it on, Gibbsy:
“I think we’ve reached a little bit of the silly season when the President of the United States can’t tell kids in school to study hard and stay in school,” Gibbs said at a gaggle with reporters, according to CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller…
Gibbs pointed out to reporters Friday morning that two Republican presidents have given speeches to students: Ronald Reagan in 1988 and George H.W. Bush in 1991. Democrats were critical of those speeches, just as Republicans have been critical of Mr. Obama’s.
Some schools are electing not to show the president’s speech, though for many the reasons are logistical, not ideological, as the address coincides in many districts with the first day of school.
Asked about the fact that some schools are not planning to show the speech, Gibbs evoked school districts that “won’t let you read Huckleberry Finn.”
Via Tapper, here’s the transcript of Bush’s 1991 speech that was evidently carried live on CNN and PBS. Flag it now, as it’ll make for a handy yardstick against which to measure Obama’s. Meanwhile, for your amusement, here’s video from Greg Hengler of professional Obama shill Roland Martin endearing himself to conservative parents wary of The One’s message. Exit question: The boss makes a good point that parents have every reason to be suspicious of Obama given how radical some of his associates in the education arena are. Is that really what’s driving the fear among most conservatives, though? My hunch is that it has less to do with radicalism than with Hopenchange’s statist ambitions now potentially seeping into their kids’ classrooms.
Blowback
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I’ll tell you what else is so disturbing about the school speech stunt: It’s so divisive.
Regardless of how benign the text of the speech turns out to be, look what’s happened. Teachers are pitted against pass-the-buck school officials. Parents are pitted against the school districts.
The controversy, rather than the message, will be the topic of conversation in the schools and around the dinner table for weeks.
Parents who sent their kids to school will be pitted against parents who did. Children who stayed home will be ridiculed by the kids who went to school, and vice versa.
This is the consequence of politicizing the schools. It’s divisive, and so unnecessary.
RushBaby on September 4, 2009 at 4:18 PM
People just do not trust the man.
Terrye on September 4, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Tell Gibbs to start looking for a good hamburger flipping job because that’s about all he qualify for when we vote his boss out of office.
rplat on September 4, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Here it is without the extra stuff. Just plain, unvarnished indoctrination, and Cult of Personality pushing.
hoosiermama on September 4, 2009 at 4:19 PM
I’ve read Huckleberry Finn. Huckleberry Finn is a favorite character of mine. President Jugears is no Huckleberry Finn.
BitterClinger on September 4, 2009 at 4:20 PM
The fact that a parody of you people is nearly indistinguishable from the real thing says a lot.
Somehow, I keep getting accused of acting superior.
Constantine on September 4, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Why did they bypass the school boards and go straight to the principals with the Information? You would think they would want to go through the chain of command.
kingsjester on September 4, 2009 at 4:20 PM
His friends are terrorists and communists, including his green czar who avoided Senate Confirmation and a Racist Supreme Court Justice.
We shouldnt trust him. His isnt trust worthy.
dogsoldier on September 4, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Somehow, I keep getting accused of acting superior.
Constantine on September 4, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Well, it could be your condescending tone, snotty verbage, or the fact that you’re nothing but a Liberal Troll trying to be a big shot on a Conservative Website.
kingsjester on September 4, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Is “mellow out” anything like “take the pain pill?”
leeotis on September 4, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Hey when will your president give us the speech about his inheriting Bush’s poll numbers too?
elduende on September 4, 2009 at 4:24 PM
My teens can opt out. I suspect my daughter will prefer to study or read in the library but my son will gladly participate, only to start a heated debate.
I’m not sure what class he will be in at the time, but that teacher will be really sorry. He and his friends are very unapologetic conservatives and will not back down.
Common Sense on September 4, 2009 at 4:25 PM
haha. Good one.
Decider on September 4, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Gotta love those kids!
Dee2008 on September 4, 2009 at 4:26 PM
=Don’t pay any attention to that man behind the curtain.
Speakup on September 4, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Obama inherited this opportunity to speak to the nations children from previous Republican Presidents :)
- just like he inherited the ability to selectively choose which visitors will be shown on the white house vistors log. :)
- but he also inherited this massive debt and a war :(
“Inherited” appears to offer a great deal of convenience to this administration ;)
Jussi on September 4, 2009 at 4:29 PM
From Bush’s speech in 91:
Nothing in there about what a mean country this is.
Terrye on September 4, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Actually Obama can only wish. His poll numbers are much worse than Bush’s were this time into his presidency. RCP had a link but I can’t find it now.
MB4 on September 4, 2009 at 4:30 PM
dogsoldier:
Yes, I agree, he is not trustworthy. But to him and his friends, only racists would say that.
Terrye on September 4, 2009 at 4:31 PM
MSNBC to talk about this next. Popcorn.
faraway on September 4, 2009 at 4:31 PM
MB4:
This is true. Bush was in his second term before he got into this kind of trouble.
Terrye on September 4, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Sarchasm (n): The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn’t get it.
Dee2008 on September 4, 2009 at 4:34 PM
I truly have no problem with the President giving a “school is cool” speech to the kids, if that’s all it is. We now know we will have that opportunity on Monday.
However, anyone who thinks this will not cause an some issue regardless is crazy. Students will be divided (especially older ones), also parents. Teachers could get the wrong message. My worry is, and has been, growing liberal teacher influence more than anything, speech or no speech. I teach the values, you teach algebra and proper grammar.
uknowmorethanme on September 4, 2009 at 4:35 PM
What I take away from this clip is the left’s utter shock that a parent might want to dictate how to raise their own child. Unfortunately, I’m not seeing this part played out anywhere.
The money quotes: “Some insane parents want to bring their ideology into the table.” Isn’t that part of being a parent? Getting to raise your child the way they seem fit? That is why DFS doesn’t come after a code pink parent that raises her child to think that the military is out murdering people in other countries.
Second money quote: “The example you gave, the parents didn’t have an opportunity to decide whether you had to listen to the Chairman when he came to speak.” Response: “Because they shouldn’t.”
Really? A parent should not have any say over whether their child should be subject to a speaker in a classroom setting. Whether you agree with the outrage or not regarding the Obama speech, statements like these by this gentleman should be met with outrage from both sides.
Conservative in NOVA on September 4, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Hey, kid, haven’t seen you here on HA for a few days. I see Freshman Orientation is over?
getalife.
Del Dolemonte on September 4, 2009 at 4:36 PM
I thought the the “silly season” started last November
and runs for the next 4 years.
elderberry on September 4, 2009 at 4:37 PM
Bush left office with a 22% approval rating. Obama’s is currently 56%. Back to math class with you!
Constantine on September 4, 2009 at 4:37 PM
I would trust my son with a catholic priest before I’d trust him with Barack Obama.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 4:37 PM
it is only silly season the the eyes of the left, and Allah.
WoosterOh on September 4, 2009 at 4:38 PM
SOP for Leftists. Look up the words “elitist condescension” sometime.
Del Dolemonte on September 4, 2009 at 4:38 PM
and sinking fast.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Those must be Kos polls.
WoosterOh on September 4, 2009 at 4:39 PM
I have been watching the rabbit hole for the last hour. 1,982 people came down and 1,978 were registered democrats.
Cheshire Cat on September 4, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Obama’s is currently 56%. Back to math class with you!
Constantine on September 4, 2009 at 4:37 PM
CBS has him at 56 %. Rasmussen has him at 48 %. Try again.
kingsjester on September 4, 2009 at 4:41 PM
I think this has something to do with you guys preferring G. W. Bush, who sounds like an idiot, no matter how horribly he did the job.
Constantine on September 4, 2009 at 4:42 PM
c’mon, that whole speech was blatantly obvious policy indoctrination into those evil GOP values of being responsible for yourself!
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 4:42 PM
So that means you’re slightly less wrong?
Constantine on September 4, 2009 at 4:42 PM
This incoherent sentence is a good example of why I and many others don’t want liberals peddling their wares in our public schools and why many of us send our kids to private school.
uknowmorethanme on September 4, 2009 at 4:43 PM
I think this has something to do with you guys preferring G. W. Bush, who sounds like an idiot, no matter how horribly he did the job.
Constantine on September 4, 2009 at 4:42 PM
No. It has to done with the snotty verbage you post
kingsjester on September 4, 2009 at 4:43 PM
One should always do apples to apples. At this amount of time into their presidencies, Obama is well behind Bush.
MB4 on September 4, 2009 at 4:43 PM
So that means you’re slightly less wrong?
Constantine on September 4, 2009 at 4:42 PM
No. That means that you and your Dear Leader are flailing about and failing epically.
kingsjester on September 4, 2009 at 4:44 PM
ummmm, err….errrr…..uhh…..well, let me be clear….ummm, uhhh, those are not the 57 states uuuhhhh, that my err typical white…..ummmm religion clinging grandmother, errr knew…..right.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Sorry, kid, but I already debunked that 22% “poll” earlier this week. The poll sample had almost twice as many Democrats as Republicans.
But you cherry-picked the lowest poll anyway, and totally ignored all of the other ones that had his job approval 10 to 15% higher. Goebbels would approve.
As for O’bama’s current 56%, you cherry-picked the highest one as well, namely the C-BS/NY Fishwrap Poll. They regularly oversample Democrats by 14% to 19%.
Earlier this week, Zogby put O’bama’s job approval 14 points lower than that. 42%.
But thanks for playing!
Del Dolemonte on September 4, 2009 at 4:45 PM
“Silly season”, “Wee weed up” and finger-scratching are three strikes against this clown telling any children anything about school or looking to the future. Obama acts and talks worse than a third grader. He has no right to assume the role of a parent, either. Who is he to raise other people’s children?
alliebobbitt on September 4, 2009 at 4:47 PM
I think for a lot of parents it isn’t so much about the speech, which will probably be nothing more than a stay in school message, but what the teachers may do after the speech. It could be the perfect time to go around the room and ask the kids what they can do to “serve” Obama.
Yikes
laurakbarr on September 4, 2009 at 4:47 PM
LOL! “Sounds like an idiot”? Chimpy Bush pronounces the word “nuclear” the exact same way Nobel Laureate Jimmy Carter does.
getalife.
Del Dolemonte on September 4, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Hey Gibbs — I’m your huckleberry.
GnuBreed on September 4, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Besides Duende just wanted to know ‘when’ the speech was coming. He didn’t say a dang thing about where the polls were now.
but some trolls are sensitive.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Also, the way this guy encourages his supporter’s children to sing songs of praise to him and photoshop halos around him, this is overstepping the bounds of church and state. I thought liberals oppose that.
alliebobbitt on September 4, 2009 at 4:49 PM
That’s because their savior is crashing and burning.
alliebobbitt on September 4, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Most school districts that ban Huckleberry Finn do so because it contains the N-word. But the whole point of the novel was about tolerance toward blacks, and Mark Twain deliberately tried to evoke reader sympathy toward Jim, the runaway slave in the novel, who was eventually given his freedom. Mark Twain was a liberal in his time, and it’s liberal districts that are banning his book.
Why the press secretary for the first African-American President would insist on this defies logic…
Steve Z on September 4, 2009 at 4:50 PM
“Could Be” h3ll, that’s what the white house did! As for ‘clarifying’, or removing that part from the speech? Heck, you didn’t really hear that bell he just rang, right.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Speaking of job approval polls, before he left 9/11 to his successor, Bill Clinton left the Oral Office with a relatively high job approval number.
But the same polls showed that almost 75% of Americans also said his pResidency would only be remembered for a stain on a bleu dress.
Del Dolemonte on September 4, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Guess I am all wee-wee’d up over this, but I am a teacher and there is NO WAY I would show this in my classroom. My kids don’t come back to school until Friday (I know this is weird, but since it is California what do you expect), so not my problem.
No matter the content of the speech, the true message to kids is to listen to Dear Leader and he will bless you. I find the whole concept disconcerting and too reminiscent of the early days of Hitler, the third chapter of Animal Farm, Chavez, Castro, Stalin…. See a pattern here?
And to you trolls, no, I did not show any other presidential address directed to students for the same reason – This is the USA and we don’t go there.
InTheBellyoftheBeast on September 4, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Want some popcorn?
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 4:53 PM
And then make those that like Obama raise their hands, questions those that dont raise thier hands, call their parents racist, make them sit on the far side of the room while she gives the rest of the class Obama cake to celebrate his speech to them.
You know it will happen somewhere.
WoosterOh on September 4, 2009 at 4:53 PM
There’s an excellent toy for that here.
RushBaby on September 4, 2009 at 4:54 PM
For someone accusing me a of cherrypicking, you’re doing an awful lot of cherrypicking. Gallup has Obama at 55%. Are they in the tank for Democrats as well?
Constantine on September 4, 2009 at 4:54 PM
My son would tear them a new azzhole.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Not according to this, which puts Bush at the same rating around the same time.
Constantine on September 4, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Hmmmm, and I don’t see W leaving office at 22% in that either.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Well my 8-year-old son for one is NOT going to hear shite that that man has to say, and his teacher and school will know I don’t approve. He’s already more intelligent than the average Liberal Democrat Kos Kritter anyway. He knows that when Obama’s lips are moving he is lying.
RepubChica on September 4, 2009 at 5:12 PM
What else could Gibbs say in the face of such unadulterated insanity? “No, we don’t plan on indoctrinating your kids and using them for our fascist-socialist-marxist plan to destroy America. Next question”. Really all you can do is laugh this crap off.
crr6 on September 4, 2009 at 5:14 PM
On the face of it, it does seem “silly”, until you put it in context and realize that the President is deceptive and involves himself in covert actions to the detriment of the public. In that light, it seems absolutely obvious.
gina4 on September 4, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Hmmm. You sure seem pretty concerned about it.
RushBaby on September 4, 2009 at 5:18 PM
He could have taken the position that parents are entitled to disagree and if pulling their kids from class is what they feel they must do, that’s their right as parents. Instead he took the typical liberal (all irony intended) tack of berating the opposition.
Weak and Whiny, but that’s what this administration is.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 5:19 PM
I’m sure he’s just a joy in class. And the teacher loves you as well.
crr6 on September 4, 2009 at 5:19 PM
you’re sure of a lot of things…but where your azz is isn’t one of them huh?
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 5:20 PM
haha that’s why they’re releasing the transcript early, so parents can pull their kids from class if they dislike it.
crr6 on September 4, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Yeah. Come on. Relax-why worry?
After all, it’s not like our government officials would ever stoop to using low key propaganda or pschologically subversive tactics to bend children to their will.
That never happens.
Just ask the students of Mao & Stalin.
It starts somewhere. And it seems innocent… at first.
Badger40 on September 4, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Our school district just sent an email saying there will be a video link for anyone who wants to view it. It will not be shown during school hours. Yeah!!
gina4 on September 4, 2009 at 5:21 PM
This would be an apt comparison is either had attempted to implement a related lesson plan about having kids pledge themselves to helping the president, and then being held accountable for it. It sounds creepily close to “Loyalty for A’s”, doesn’t it?
landshark on September 4, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Substitute President Bush for Obama in the teaching guide where it said to study the Presidents, especially President Bush and what he’s trying to do, then have the student write a pledge on what they are going to do to help President Bush. The liberal politicians and media would be apoplectic, but since it’s the Obama it’s all just wonderful.
RJL on September 4, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Ahhhh, the ol’ Alfred E Neuman trick.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 5:21 PM
crr6 on September 4, 2009 at 5:20 PM
They’re releasing it the day befor,e on a National Holiday.
That’s about as early as you are bright.
kingsjester on September 4, 2009 at 5:22 PM
you make my point troll. That was all the response required, the rest was petulant little brat.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 5:23 PM
You need more than 24 hrs to analyze it? You’re even slower than you let on.
crr6 on September 4, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Using the words of a Patriot at a townhall meeting, “Stay away from my kids.”
la.rt.wngr on September 4, 2009 at 5:24 PM
So now you attack children? You’re shameful!
gina4 on September 4, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Well, darn; Who’s in charge of the kool aid stand?
Cybergeezer on September 4, 2009 at 5:25 PM
I really want to see the content of the speech, in its entirety, before I commit to taking a side on this.
If it truly is a simple “stay in school and work hard, look what it did for me” speech, I say good for him for giving it – there is no harm in that and it’s actually a fine idea.
If it contains ANY political slant at all, like it was going to with the “letter to help the president” thing, shame on him.
Pretty simple to me.
RedNewEnglander on September 4, 2009 at 5:26 PM
with all of obambi’s empty double speak Bletchley Park might not be able to figure it out.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 5:26 PM
It’s crr6, living down to expectations on a daily basis.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Been a straight A student since preschool and getting groomed for a full scholarship to Princeton U.
Don’t be too upset about a 4th grader being more discerning and able to whip your ass intellectually. Must be rough.
RepubChica on September 4, 2009 at 5:35 PM
By this point in his presidency, GW Bush had put forth, and the congress had passed, a massive tax cut, (thus keeping a campaign promise,) and a truly bipartisan education reform initiative (thus keeping a campaign promise.
Your guy; what campaign promises has he kept.
It must sting liberals, the way he’s doing you.
massrighty on September 4, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Yep. You sound like you’re just a teacher’s dream.
crr6 on September 4, 2009 at 5:40 PM
You need more than 24 hrs to analyze it? You’re even slower than you let on.
crr6 on September 4, 2009 at 5:23 PM
Like Fighton03 said, it will take longer than that with all the doublespeak and if he writes down all the uhs, errs, and umms before hand.
kingsjester on September 4, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Well, he came through for Soros and all those czars….
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Glad you know it, homeslice.
RepubChica on September 4, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Just so you know, you’re that parent that all the othe parents laugh at.
crr6 on September 4, 2009 at 5:42 PM
other*
crr6 on September 4, 2009 at 5:43 PM
oh yeah..let’s not forget that he bought GM and Chrysler for the UAW for a song.
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 5:43 PM
PERFECT! BWAHAHHAHAHAHAHAH (btw, that’s NOT with you)
Fighton03 on September 4, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Unprovable statement.
But, we’ve enjoyed RepubChicas posts here, on a variety of topics.
And, you come here, fling your feces, and declare yourself victorious.
Heh.
massrighty on September 4, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Exactlty!! I do not care what the actual subject matter is…I do NOT want this slime having ANY interaction or influence on my kids, period.
NY Conservative on September 4, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Well, let’s look at the Gallup polling. A week ago, they had him at 51%. Now they have him at 55%. A 4 point increase is within 1 point of the margin of error. So for all we know Gallup could actually have him at 52%.
And considering he’s been on vacation for the past 2 weeks (the Vineyard last week and Camp David this week) he hasn’t done anything that would merit an increase.
As for whether or not Gallup is in the tank, I find it curious that they refuse to divulge their polling sample demographics. What are they hiding?
Del Dolemonte on September 4, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Y’know, when Gibbsy mentions something as being unworthy of mention, it gives people an opportunity to say that the press secretary of the POTUS has mentioned it…
cthulhu on September 4, 2009 at 5:50 PM
Let’s review the evidence. She’s going to whine to the teacher about the POTUS giving a speech, and she’s been grooming her child for a scholarship to Princeton since birth. She’s right out of central casting for the “insufferable, controlling mom who won’t let her kid just be a kid” part.
crr6 on September 4, 2009 at 5:51 PM
Bill Ayers, Prairie Fire
Bill Ayers, Caracas, Venezuela (2006)
Bill Ayers, writing about Obama’s inauguration, 2009
Van Jones, March 2009
Still trust Obama? How many Marxist statements will it take?
elduende on September 4, 2009 at 5:51 PM
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