President Obama tells children they must 'put in the hard work it takes to succeed.'
President Obama stressed responsibility today as he welcomed students back for the school year with a televised speech that has created its own political furor.
Obama delivered his speech during a visit to Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va. His comments were broadcast to schools around the nation, though some districts skipped his comments after conservatives complained about the speech.
“I’m here because I want to talk with you about your education and what’s expected of all of you in this new school year,” Obama said, according to a prepared text posted by the White House. The president mentioned the responsibilities of teachers, parents and the government in helping with education.
“But at the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents, and the best schools in the world — and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities. Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed,” Obama said.
“That’s what I want to focus on today: the responsibility each of you has for your education. I want to start with the responsibility you have to yourself,” he said.
The issue in the political furor is not the content of the 20-minute speech, but rather that Obama was giving a speech at all. It comes as the president prepares for a tough autumn after a summer of sagging popularity polls and conservative discontent.
Among the key issues to be decided shortly are healthcare reform and re-regulation of the financial system. Obama is scheduled to outline his latest healthcare plans in a speech Wednesday to Congress.
In foreign affairs, the president will have to decide whether to authorize more troops be sent to Afghanistan, where the U.S. commitment already stands at 68,000.
Today’s speech has become another lightning rod for conservatives who accused the president of trying to use the occasion as a way to propagating “socialist” ideas, a charge ridiculed by the White House. That charge, first made by a Florida politician has picked up steam as talk radio hosts and the conservative commentators picked it up.
The White House has dismissed the complaints as silly, but some districts today are expected to boycott the speech.
Obama got some help from former First Lady Laura Bush who on Monday backed Obama’s decision to speak to the nation’s school children. In an interview with CNN, Bush, a former school teacher, said, “There’s a place for the president of the United States to talk to schoolchildren and encourage schoolchildren” to stay in school.
Obama makes no reference in his prepared remarks to the uproar surrounding his speech. Nor does he make an appeal for support for any program, as feared by conservatives.
“Your families, your teachers, and I are doing everything we can to make sure you have the education you need to answer these questions,” Obama said. “I’m working hard to fix up your classrooms and get you the books, equipment and computers you need to learn. But you’ve got to do your part too.
“So I expect you to get serious this year. I expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. I expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down — don’t let your family or your country or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.”
