May 14, 2009
Posted: May 14th, 2009 04:50 AM ET
President Obama addresses the graduating class at Arizona State University on Wednesday.
President Obama addresses the graduating class at Arizona State University on Wednesday.

TEMPE, Arizona (CNN) – President Obama on Wednesday turned a flap over his commencement speech at Arizona State University into a joke - then a lesson about never being satisfied with one's accomplishments.
The university said last month that it would not be awarding Obama an honorary degree at the ceremony, saying that "his body of work is yet to come."

Saying he wanted to address "the little controversy everyone was talking about a few weeks back," Obama said, "we all learned an important lesson."

"I learned to never again pick another team over the Sun Devils in my NCAA bracket," he said, referring to the school's basketball team. "It won't happen again."

"President [Michael] Crow and the board of regents will soon learn all about being audited by the IRS," he joked.

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Filed under: President Obama


Big mistake   May 14th, 2009 10:13 am ET

I voted for Clinton.He was the greateast republican in sheeps clothing ever.He sold our tech jobs to India,Manufacturing jobs to China, allowed insourcing with visas that took millions of jobs.He was not good for the American workers.His best was sellout was Nafta.

Kitchen Police   May 14th, 2009 9:50 am ET

Well said, Mr. President!

Big red shoes   May 14th, 2009 9:50 am ET

The president is doing what he does best making the stupid members of Arizona state feel stupid. Booozoes.

Cowboy in West Texas   May 14th, 2009 9:42 am ET

He is the President – respect him as such!

Susan   May 14th, 2009 9:40 am ET

The President's speech at ASU was brilliant!

Obamabot   May 14th, 2009 9:38 am ET

If they think he's joking about the IRS, they are in for a rude awakening. How can they dream of not granting another honorary doctorate on our supreme leader? Wht do they mean he his body of work is yet to come? You telling me the american peoples elected us a president with no credentials worthy of an honary doctorate?? Yep, IRS will be calling you next year, hahaha!

Jean   May 14th, 2009 9:35 am ET

Sounds about right, the first four months has been one big joke.

Romney2012   May 14th, 2009 9:31 am ET

The Court Jester in Chief representing the "Party of D'oh!"

Romney2012   May 14th, 2009 9:30 am ET

Obama is a joke. The Court Jester in Chief.

Debra Austin, Texas   May 14th, 2009 9:23 am ET

This guy has gravitas. He walked into a storm and not only eased the tension but taught a lesson without being defensive or rude. Thus the lesson to doubters and Republicans about the meaning of character.

kimberly   May 14th, 2009 9:23 am ET

For the first time in my adult life I was REALLY proud of Arizona. This is the first thing Ariizona has gotten right in my adult life. It was a joy to be part of the state that he picked to do this. He was great!!!

phoenix86   May 14th, 2009 9:22 am ET

A disgrace to ASU to allow this man to speak there.

Steph   May 14th, 2009 9:19 am ET

The speech was funny, inspirational and the best possible response to the ridiculous behavior of the ASU board of refents.

Republicans are the American Taliban   May 14th, 2009 9:18 am ET

Why would President Obama ever need a degree from ASU anyway? The party and date rape capital of the college world. Was John McCain and Cindy there with that smirkey smile?You know the one, when someone in the audience yells " he's a muslim "? Shows how much McCain cares about education here in Arizona. For the last week they have been coming up with myriad reasons to boycott the event, even interviewing pizza delivery boys complaining how the traffic will take money out of their pockets. ASU did show some class by asking the President to speak; it's just too bad it was all third!

Seattle Sue   May 14th, 2009 9:12 am ET

Gee, I wished he had not joked about the IRS, now all the right wing posters at this site will be accusing him of abusing his power with the IRS.

dave   May 14th, 2009 9:05 am ET

This is a man who understands things aint always what they seem. He could have made a big deal of this and refuse to attend but no he went and like the teacher he is taught every one a lesson in humility.

This liberal not for Obama   May 14th, 2009 9:05 am ET

What a total LOOSER! he is.

Reggae   May 14th, 2009 9:05 am ET

You gotta love this man!!

Carmelle   May 14th, 2009 9:04 am ET

I am 25, graduated in Finance May 1st of this yr and just moved to NY for a new job.......This was the most motivating, inspiring and redefing of success speech that I have ever heard!!!

He reminded me why I moved from a 3rd world country (Haiti) to the USA. I feel motivated by my sensed call of service, and as my career is starting.... I pledge to be ethical, accountable and serving to my community, this country and mine throughout the journey.

I hope my generation and many others will value the principles stated in that speech. We can change the world!

Tim   May 14th, 2009 9:03 am ET

Who says he is joking? Obama and the democrats have already shown us that they plan to use the IRS code to target individuals, why wouldn't they target a University or the univerisity president himself.

Brian G, Sugar Land, TX   May 14th, 2009 9:03 am ET

The man knows how to make lemonade from lemons.

Also, I thought is a delightfully subtle jab at all those old faculty and new graduates who obviously don't understand that by his election alone President Obama has contributed greatly to forward motion of our nation in terms of diversity appreciation and equal opportunty for all.

Few presidents before him can claim such an accomplishment...and as such is already entitled to many accolades.

J S Ragman   May 14th, 2009 9:02 am ET

I watched the speech on MSNBC. As always, it was relevant and inspiring. He always makes me wish that I was about 20 yrs younger.

pakuna   May 14th, 2009 9:01 am ET

Just step back and listen to this idiot. Everything is a joke to him you people need to wake up.
He was not awarded an honorary degree because he does not deserve it. He does not deserve it plain and simple.

lxc   May 14th, 2009 8:59 am ET

Obama thinks everything is a joke!!!!! I think he is the biggest one of all....

SHIRLEY -SDL   May 14th, 2009 8:59 am ET

The President did at least two goods things yesterday. He decided not to post more of those ugly pictures generated by the previous administration's stupidity, and he gave a really good, thoughtful speech at the ASU commencement. He is truly the man I want to see in this position at this time. I personally felt that no one deserved the stupid honorary degree more than this man, but he handled this occasion with good humor and humility. I am very proud of him, and know if he can just handle those hypocrits at Notre Dame (they knew what his views were before he was elected and invited there) as well as he did the ones at ASU, he will make both schools look just as intolerant as they really are.

Gerald   May 14th, 2009 8:57 am ET

The humor is not appreciated , masking more lies I suspect.

american   May 14th, 2009 8:56 am ET

What an absolutely wonderful comeback. I love this guy.

And the nerve of that Univeristy president not giving Obama an honorary degree....as though an honorary degree from Arizona means anything, anyway.

Austin Swafford   May 14th, 2009 8:55 am ET

Some at the Catholic school objected to his invitation because of his views on abortion and stem cell research? I'll tell you what – take care of your very justified image as being the top party school in America, and THEN you might be able to complain about the President's moral stances.

Obama 2012   May 14th, 2009 8:45 am ET

This man is amazing!!! What a powerful speech!! I'm sure ASU feel very small now!!

Kyle, MD   May 14th, 2009 8:44 am ET

He's right, he hasn't achieved anything. Maybe after he becomes the Pope, will the university recognized his greatness.

If I were the president I would not return to this school, ever. I've never heard of anything so absurd.

Obama 2012

gina   May 14th, 2009 8:44 am ET

Good job, President Obama.

Sally   May 14th, 2009 8:43 am ET

It was a charming, self-deprecating turn on a silly controversy... and the President managed to turn it into an important teachable moment. Good for him!

D. Tree   May 14th, 2009 8:43 am ET

Humor is a great way to make people in the audience feel more at ease, but he also showed that he was humble at the same time.

Retired Army in San Antonio   May 14th, 2009 8:42 am ET

President Obama - "President [Michael] Crow and the board of regents will soon learn all about being audited by the IRS," he joked.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Ahhh, yes........the deep, probing 'reach' of the revenuers ;-) ........ that'll learn 'em :-D

Kevin in Ohio   May 14th, 2009 8:39 am ET

This president IS a joke. Nearly 50% of us are not laughing.

carlo   May 14th, 2009 8:38 am ET

I don't really believe some of these "special interests" realize how little the President cares about their rantings.

George   May 14th, 2009 8:36 am ET

What a pleasant change from the last president. Barack admitts there is more to learn, more to accomplish.
Our last one after a couple of years said Mission Accomplished. Nothing more to learn, nothing more to do, and above all no one worth listening to.

Philip Grant   May 14th, 2009 8:34 am ET

This man is a class act. But, as usual I'll come back to this blog in a few hours to witness the hate-o-thon from those who just can’t handle having a Barack Hussein Obama as their president.

Middleman   May 14th, 2009 8:31 am ET

Crying shame that holding two college degrees, writing a best-selling book, being elected to the US Senate, and the (landslide) election as US President don't count for much these days.

I hope Obama can someday complete that "body of work" that ASU rigorously demands from their honorary degree holders.

Dutch/Bad Newz, VA   May 14th, 2009 8:29 am ET

I wonder if Notre Dome or any Catholic school will accept the President.

Casy   May 14th, 2009 8:28 am ET

I know the moderators are not going to post this but it is reporting like this that is contributing to CNN's HUGE ratings decrease!!

The more you do these syrupy stories on Obama and his wife, the more viewers you are going to lose to Fox News!!

I predict that once you get off of the cheerleading squad and start doing some real reporting, you will see an increase in ratings until then, you are going to stay WAYYY in the background of Fox and even MSNBC, now that's an embarrassment!!

John in Ohio   May 14th, 2009 8:24 am ET

Great president.

CHARLES GREENE   May 14th, 2009 8:18 am ET

"never being satisfied with one's accomplishments."
I have been for many years, and this is why I have decided to go back to school! Thank you Mr. President..... you are a great example.

rachel.   May 14th, 2009 8:17 am ET

Nice, he was funny. I would like to see some of Hillary commencement speach at NYU too.

James   May 14th, 2009 8:08 am ET

This is the way a President is suppose to talk to his/her fellow citizens. He is to work hard for them when they are in dire need, motivate them, lead them, and above all – inspire them to do great things – not just for their own benefit, but rather for all of us as a whole. This is what defines not just the character of a President, but the overall character of a new era here in the United States of America.

Shell Hari   May 14th, 2009 8:04 am ET

Mr. President, I am so proud of you because when people try to get under your skin and discombobulate you, you always find a way to show them that you are wiser, smarter, cool, collect and at peace with yourself and your ideals. I must admit very seriously that any one who follows you as president has a bigger shoe to fill than in the past because you have really transformed the office of president in the few months you have been on the job than any president in the past. May God continue to guide you and your family, and direct your path in all you do.

dominican mama 4 Obama   May 14th, 2009 8:03 am ET

This President is such a class act!! Most folks would've ignored the criticism, he, however, addresses it head on and comes off humble and down-to-earth in the process!!

I love our president!! May God bless him and his family.

Obama/whoever '12!

Body of work for Obama is scary   May 14th, 2009 7:59 am ET

Thus far the body of work for Obama is dowright frightening

(: Obama has put us at risk on homeland security
(: Oblamo is digging us into a hole in Afghanistan by escalating there
(: Obama is bankrupting us with pork barrel spending and unheard of deficits
(: Obama is socializing the country at the expense of our free market economy
(: Obama's actions will devalue the US dollar throwing us into a deeper recession
(: Obama is wasting trillions and will cause Social security to go bankrupt

Larry   May 14th, 2009 7:57 am ET

"President [Michael] Crow and the board of regents will soon learn all about being audited by the IRS," he joked.Obama probably isn't joking.

Susan   May 14th, 2009 7:56 am ET

You may not like his politics, but Barack Obama is a funny guy. And he's getting better at delivering with a straight face.
I happen to think he's doing a great job, and that ASU will regret not honoring him with a degree yesterday. How stupid was that? And yet, he turned it into the basis of his speech. The guy has class.
Now, I do think he needs to release the photos, stop the bombings, and bring the troops home now.

TCM   May 14th, 2009 7:50 am ET

I wonder if he's going to joke about abortion as well...oops, no wait, that probably won't be on the teleprompter....

vette78man   May 14th, 2009 7:48 am ET

Nice style and grace and humor. Such a refreshing change from previous years of frat names and vindictiveness.

JB   May 14th, 2009 7:43 am ET

I am not one of those yahoos that thinks if you do not like Obama as a politician, you must be a racist. I understand that it IS POSSIBLE (and in most cases the real reason) why people are opposed to him, his policies. However, you read stories like this, and you gotta like the guy. Not the President necessarily, but the guy. It is possible to dislike a President with a spending agenda unlike any other in history. And it doesn't matter how we got here (just to cut off you whining "but GWB put us here"), there were different thoughts on how to get out of the mess, and some of them did not inlcude spending 3.9 trillion, or trying to revamp a health care program, to mimic a failing social security system. That said, I would love to have a beer with Obama.

magella   May 14th, 2009 7:43 am ET

As usual, dignity, grace and class. Many people can learn from this man–even those that don't always agree with him. He always takes the high road and doesn't "sweat the small stuff," which I wish could be said about Republicans commenting on every last thing the president does.

N. E. Ocon   May 14th, 2009 7:43 am ET

How cute. Now, can I see the pictures of how my tax dollars are being spent in Iraq?

Mark   May 14th, 2009 7:15 am ET

This idiot is going to bankrupt the US.

Mike from Canada   May 14th, 2009 7:01 am ET

IMHO, if not now at least by year's end, the United States will become the envy of the world by their excellent choice of a brilliant, oratorical and inspiring person to the top job in the nation. Even he acknowledges that he too is "learning on the job". No longer do I cringe in anticipation/fear when the American Commander-in-Chief is beamed to the world being interviewed or giving a commencement speech. A refreshing change to your 2000-2008 administration.

In the vernacular of "Star Trek", live long and prosper, Mr. Obama!

Samoset   May 14th, 2009 7:01 am ET

Proud to have a President who can take a disrespectful decision (the silly college has historically honored several people with a lot less "body of work" than being President of the USA – one senator after 4 years in the senate) and turn it into a positive statement and a positive lesson.

Candy West Virginia   May 14th, 2009 6:57 am ET

President Obama is a constitutional law scholar and yet they couldn't give him an honorary degree?? Incredible. Anyway he just converted over 70,000 to vote for him in 2012 so it's ok. I sure wish I could have been there.

Nando   May 14th, 2009 6:37 am ET

They will not be lauging when the Men in Black Suits show up !! Keep playing around with this President Right Wing Nut Jobs he is slowly daily sending you and your Party to HADES !!!!!!!!!!!!

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