Obama's Speech To Kids: Reactions and Aftermath

by Yuliya Talmazan | September 8, 2009 at 11:45 am

1375 views | 62 Recommendations | 14 comments

Today September 8, 2009, US president Barack Obama made his speech to American kids starting out the new school year. Obama made his presidential address at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia. The speech stirred quite a bit of controversy well before it was actually delivered. Some parents believed President Obama would use the speech as an opportunity to “indoctrinate” their children with his political agenda, and so did not want their children to be exposed to it. Other parents said that any speech made by the President of the United States must be heard and insisted that their children's schools broadcast it.

President Obama’s speech to students was televised live on www.whitehouse.gov -- the White House’s website as well as the C-SPAN TV channel. It seems the controversy surrounding the Obama's address has sparked a lot of interest, so many television viewers and internet users tuned in to see what all the buzz was about.

The reactions were numerous and different:

The text of President Obama's speech was made available long before the speech was made today to dissipate the anxiety of some parents over its content. So, it all came down to President asking school kids to work hard, stay in school and believe in themselves.

After the speech, even some Republicans eased their pre-speech jitters:

"It's a good speech. It encourages kids to stay in school and the importance of education," said Jim Greer, chairman of the Florida Republican Party, who last week had said he believed Mr. Obama would use the speech to spread "liberal propaganda" and "socialist ideology" to the nation's children.

Reaction of Laura Bush's (former teacher and librarian):

Former first lady Laura Bush, a champion of literacy, told CNN that parents have the right to determine what their children hear in school but said: "it's also really important for everyone to respect the president of the United States."

Ban by some states:

Hundreds of schools across the country -- including Democratic enclaves like the Virginia and Maryland suburbs near Washington, D.C. -- either banned the speech outright or said they would screen it prior to making a decision on whether it could be shown to students.

Obama's school speech video is available here. The full text of President's speech to school children is available here.

1 See all footage | View Slideshow

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albertacowpoke

at 12:36 on September 8th, 2009

The speech was harmless and it was the right balance telling kids what they can accomplish if they put their mind to it. I am also encouraged by Laura Bush's comments, particularly that the president should be respected.

She should know, George went through some real rocky times and still does.

QueensHart

at 13:29 on September 8th, 2009

Yes ACP . Now Laura was a class act and dresser.

He had to change it tho so they would not have to write letters to him..Sorry, they want to write to Santa Claus!!

That speech was way too long. I doubt they listened to it under the 9th grade. No one under the 3rd should have been forced to sit thru it.

Just as the counselors told me to not Bash my children's father when he left us for a year for the psyche of that age 11 & 12 does not need their hopes dashed. I was encouraged. " you still have to teach about his moral failure and what is not acceptable to society." Obama has been deceitful, promises made he did not keep etc. . Parents are obligated to still teach that role models who proclaim they are 'saints' must be explained. We endured the Clintons who both should be in Jail. We have become anaesthetized to ethical behavior thanks to Hollywood, t v, lying journalists and reporters who do not focus on the good.. Now for example we read nothing about Afghanistan. Shhhhh...Obama is not in a war!

We have a society of enablers. ..for spending too much , fooling around...etc.etc..etc.

Quincie 10th Grader (not verified)

at 15:29 on September 8th, 2009

I absoultely diagree, the fact that he is was jus giving kids hope is a problem for , the fact that he was relating the hardship of people who could role models is a problem , i dont understand you hear more bullcrap on the radio that you should be concerned about as a so called "parent". Reevaluate your belif cause they suck!!!!!:)

Rory Cripps

at 14:15 on September 8th, 2009

I only listened to the speech on the radio. Believe it or not, the high school that I was in today (in Tampa Florida) is predominantly African-American and the speech wasn't aired live throughout the school. I think that the school had plans to air it later in the day though. I'll find out more tomorrow. I thought it was a good speech and it was reminiscent of many things that Bill Cosby (the actor) has been saying throughout the years and that conservatives have been saying throughout the years. Perhaps even JFK. Indeed I was struck by President Obama's emphasis on self reliance and "responsibility".

Blue Crush

at 14:53 on September 8th, 2009

I'm gonna borrow this comment from Pascale from CNN's blog comments on this topic because I think he says it a lot better than I could:

"Here in CANADA, we respect our prime minister. We would never question him if he would decide to speak to our KIDS. WE TRUST HIM EVEN IF we don’t agree with all his policies.

The President of USA Should be respect by his own citizens first….

We, Canadians, admire PRESIDENT OBAMA SO MUCH and feel so sorry that some Americans are trying to boycott his good inspiration and his good goals for USA childrens.

Some parents don’t even control their kids on internent and youtube but they turn stupidly crazy against the good and inspirational speech of PRESIDENT OBAMA. IT’S A SHAME!!! AMERICANS WAKE UP, STOP BEING STUPID!

RESPECT YOUR PRESIDENT!!!!" (Tnx Pascale)

Rory Cripps

at 15:49 on September 9th, 2009

Blue Crush: Here in America, we tend to view public figures with mistrust--especially politicians. I for one am glad that we do. Throughout America's history it's often the case that Americans love to hate their politicians (including their president) and say all sorts of nasty things about them. Many Americans hated Bush and many Americans hated Clinton and on down the line through Lincoln and Jackson. It's the American way and things probably won't change. I personally get a chuckle out of the fact that no matter which party is in power, its opponents cry out that the sky is falling and its proponents cry foul every chance that they get. It's no different with President Obama and until he and his administration can come up with a way to gain the trust of about 50% of the American voters, the hue and cry and name calling on both sides is just going to get more intense.

Quincie 10th Grader (not verified)

at 15:24 on September 8th, 2009

As a stundent in high school i have to say it was a speech of great quality it was an eye opener and it was clear why there was so much hype against it even those who do not appericate Obama at all thought it was an "okay" speech

Pythiian1

at 19:25 on September 8th, 2009

Thanks, Yuls.source for a great round up.

Cris Cohen (not verified)

at 12:35 on September 9th, 2009

Waiting for the headline - "Congressmen ask school for equal air time to rebut president's remarks. Plan to encourage kids to drop out and explore drug use options."

Susan Harrison (not verified)

at 13:35 on September 9th, 2009

It is great the president reached out to all kids in this country. It saddens me that so many people do not trust our nation's leader to say the right things. Let's all give him a chance to lead. It has only been 9 months and he has a lot to do. He could achieve a lot IF everyone would choose to help him, instead of taking every opportunity to tear him down.

Rory Cripps

at 18:43 on September 9th, 2009

Susan Harrison: While I agree with you in spirit about trusting our nation's leader, where do you think that we'd wind up if we weren't skeptical and mistrusting of our leaders in general? Did you trust President Bush--he was our "leader"? And if you didn't trust him, then why should we trust President Obama? Is it because we deem some presidents to be "good" and other presidents to be "bad" simply on the basis of our political ideology?

canuck123 (not verified)

at 22:31 on September 9th, 2009

I'm the second Canadian to respond. I do think what we are both responding to is this sad political environment where U.S. citizens are being told to mistrust without cause or without any real danger. I do think mistrust is okay but blind ignorance is just plain old tired and wasteful. All this energy that is used to try and undermine leaders unfairly or without reason only ends up undermining yourselves. It seems like a dangerous game in American Politics with no real winners. I think the point with the children not being able to listen to your President's inspirational speech serves as a metaphor for your current health care reform debacle. It represents a cycle of political stupidity where being right is more important that being good. And it is showing the world America's interests...or true character...as in... America feels more comfortable with going to war than healing its own.

Elizabeth Griffith (not verified)

at 08:49 on September 10th, 2009

We are Americans living in France and since Obama's election we are once again proud to be American. His speech to the kids is just another example of why we are proud!

edward morrison (not verified)

at 13:02 on September 10th, 2009

Here in Aiken, South Carolina schools we were not allowed to watch the speech and was told that we lived in a red state. Hopefully people elsewhere are enjoying their liberties and the avalibility to have reasonable discussions outside of the south east.