(CNN) - Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty is adding his voice to the growing conservative chorus criticizing President Obama's scheduled address to public school children next week.
Pawlenty, who since announcing he was not seeking a third term as governor earlier this summer has stepped up his criticism of the president, said Friday the classroom is no place to show a video address from Obama.
"At a minimum it's disruptive, number two, it's uninvited and number three, if people would like to hear his message they can, on a voluntary basis, go to YouTube or some other source and get it. I don't think he needs to force it upon the nation's school children," he told reporters at the Minnesota State fair.
The governor also objected to the Department of Education's initial encouragement of school children to write the president with their thoughts on what they can do to help him. Amid criticism, the proposal was dropped.
"There are going to be questions about - well, what are they are going to do with those names and is that for the purpose of a mailing list?" Pawlenty said.
The Democratic National Committee called the comments 'outrageous.'
Pawlenty's remarks are the latest in a series of critical comments the governor has directed at Obama over the last few months, as he begins to take a more visible role in his party in advance of a possible White House bid.
"It is time we stand up to President Obama," Pawlenty said to members of the Republican National Committee last month, one of several speaking engagements at GOP and conservative-backed events. "It is time we stand up for our principles, and it is time we stand up for the American people."
Last month, Pawlenty was also keynote speaker at a major dinner hosted by the Republican Party of Florida. In July, he addressed top party members at a Republican National Committee conference in San Diego. Next month, the governor heads back to California, as a featured speaker at the Western Conservative Political Action Conference.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, thought to be another potential White House hopeful, issues a more measured statement to Obama's planned address.
"If the president wants to encourage students to stay in school and study, that's appropriate," he said. "However, he should be careful not to cross the line to discuss political issues or policy matters."
From CNN Politics
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Addressing students is one thing... injecting your doctrine is another. Our public schools have enough socialist indoctrination as it is.
I thought this guy was different from his other republican buddies. I guess I was wrong.
"President" Obama uses bathroom at back of White House-his DNA refuses to let him use the front one. AND {President" Obama drives on the _right_ side of the road-what a hypocrite!
"President" Obama uses country's valuable time to say ?Have a Safe Holiday" as if he were king! KING?!?!!
Don't let him move!
Robert Gibbs says those who oppose Obama's speech are "wingnuts," and I agree with him... only if by "wingnut" he means "those who paid attention in history class."
"When an opponent declares, 'I will not come over to your side,' I calmly say, 'Your child belongs to us already... What are you? You will pass on. Your descendants, however, now stand in the new camp. In a short time they will know nothing else but this new community.'"
- Adolf Hitler
Oh no, did Obie cause death to students? If not, dont worry. It's not as bad as invading a country to save greed.
Excuse me, really its inappropriate, disruptive, and intrusive for the President of the United States to address school children? Oh, and in regards to some saying this is the first time a President has done this, wrong.
George Bush Sr. did the same thing during his Presidency when he addressed school children nationally in 1991.
Ronald Reagan also took questions from high school students at the White House in 1986, and the question-and-answer session was broadcast nationally.
So it seems to me that this is more partisan BS. It was fine back when Reagan and Bush did it but not when Obama does it.
Which would you rather see your child listening to ...... the President or some drug dealer hanging out in the halls. The truth of the matter is once you drop your child off at school, you can only pray that what you've taught them at home filters over into their everyday life.
This criticism is absolutely outrageous! We have other issues that we should be focused on than this.
I find it humorous that the GOP is against this speech and feels that it is "indoctrinating" our youth but that most in the GOP support teaching creationism in the schools. Isn't that also "indoctrinating" our kids from a very narrow, religious point of view? Ahhh, the hypocracy...
It is so sad that politics has become so partisan and bitter that a speech by our president to our children to encourage hard work and staying in school would generate such a vile and bitter response. Shame on us Americans.
Where was Pawlenty when President Bush did the same thing?
C'mon Timmy, give it a rest.
These righties are NUTS!!!!
I keep hoping that the Republican party would stop the stupidness but I guess this is just hoping in vain.
Why can't a President tell scholl children to study hard and stay in school? I don't get it. America has become an annoying country.
We won't be talking about this loser in a few months. He can't even get 10 percent of rethuglican support. He's a nobody.
it really irks me when a person is lumped together and critized for questioning motives of this administration. I am glad they have reworded the questions they are asking the children because the initial questions were just not appropriate and I was personally peeved which takes alot.
Why even do a 'school' conversation? The national media has been available for the bull talk (this way , from my view, parents and their children can watch it together, and monitor content).
Are you serious??? An address by our President isn't relevant?? Arent these the same students that we want to get involved in our nations political discussions..that held mock elections, debates etc before last years election? This political back biting has got to stop!! The only problem the conservatives have with this is that he is a Democrat...that's it..that's the only reason. Any other reason given is just a smoke screen.
It's ridiculous that Republicans can be such bigots. I'm glad NOT to be part of that political party.
Pawlenty should go dig a hole and stick his head in it. He has done nothing for the State of Minnesota to help anyone but his allies. The state is in shambles, and for him to talk about what should be shown or taught in schools is pretty hilarious. He took funding away from schools. Pawlenty needs to go back into the hole that he came from.
A President of a country gives a message to the school children of a country to be better students...what am I missing? Is the GOP that paranoid?
Haha if you were president you would speak to the children too Pawlenty. CNN, nice spelling error in the title.
Republicans = Hypocrites
How bitter can they be? In 2004 an old lady at ex-president Bush's town hall meeting ask what can she do to help the president? No cries then. If the message is stay in school and learn, repugs say hell no. Maybe, you would like to grow ignorant children so they can vote for you guys. What a bunch of cry babies..
You know I would like to see something positive from the Republicans, but I sure don't see it. Instead of helping to get this country back on track all they can do is try to tear down the Obama presidency down which will in fact further tear down the country. Talk about unpatriotic. Several presidents have in the past spoken to school children, Reagan and bush 1 and the Dems didn't deigrate them for doing so. And telling school children to stay in school and succeed is a bad thing? These people are indeed whacko. I used to be a Republican but never again.
Is there nothing that Republicans won't turn into feigned outrage? They don't mind that Britney Spears gets to talk to their children, but don't let the President of the United States encourage them to work hard in school!
I think making it mandatory for children to listen to the president in as classroom setting when it does not pertain to national security or a national crisis should not be allowed, especially when the parents do not know the content of the speech, if after the speech the parents like what they heard, or parts of it, then they can present them to their children.
You conservatives need to stop all your bigotry, and settle down! President Obama is our President and you need to accept that! All you haters
"force things on others"? Hmmm...sounds a lot like what many social conservative sin your Republican party want to do, Gov. Pawlenty-of-Self-Serving-Nonsense
This confirms that Republicans still don't have a grasp on what American's are thinking. They need to get out of the South.
This is beyond ridiculous. I can't believe this is being made into a political issue. It is obvious we can no longer be governed by anyone. The American Public has become too stupid to be governed. The fact Pawlenty took the time to join the chorus of morons says a lot about him and is a great reason he shouldn't hold public office anywhere.
I think the president should be allowed to address students, especially a message about staying is school. The GOP is just a bunch of morons. This country has a serious issued with the drop-out rate of students. But what can you expect from a party that only cares about the rich ad well connected in this country.
Mr. Pawlenty,
This is a massive double standard. It was ok for George Bush to address students and talk with them but now suddenly it is not ok for Obama to do it? Pawlenty, just do us all a big favor and stay in Minnesota. You are about as charismatic as Andrew Johnson...in other words, not charismatic at all.
I have been watching poltics for 40 years, today's Republican Party borders on an anti-American party of hate.
They are all looking for their 'great whtie hope.'
Who?? Pawltry Pawlentry is trying to get his media attention..poor unimportant thing...did he criticize BUSH when he gave his speeches? I doubt it...
Was it disruptive when Reagan or Bush I did it? I venture to say no, it wasn't.
This is crazy. I think every president should address our nation's classrooms. Let the classrooms and parents at home discuss the content of the speech with their students/children.
You have the prepared text in advance and can discuss it before-hand and afterward.
Governor Pawlenty-since you have bankrupted your own state, I think that your opinion of the President's speech to school children is very small in the scheme of your own problems. How about sticking your nose in your own tomato can and getting to work on the problems that you have created. I would also suggest that you be an example to all schoolchildren in the country and respect our President. If he wants to address the schoolchildren in this country, he should and God Bless him for trying to try to be a positive role model for our nation's young people. Shame on your pettiness. Get to the business of running your State, after you ran it in the hole.
in short: this is becoming sad and absolutely ridiculous. Spend your energies on more important issues such as Health Care
oh for gods sake...
Obama is not Satan.
For Chrissakes, Nobody was going on about Bush indoctrinating children as neocons when he was reading good night mon to them on 9-11 !!!
For freakin sakes get real!
Obama should not give the kids a pep talk on how to improve themselves. Kids should just hold the same biased, narrow minded thinking that is prevalent in the Republicans hand book. One good thing is that Pawlenty is just another in the GOP hate party whose asinine opinions carry no merit or honor.
Some schools won’t show kids Obama’s speech.
Kids are our future leaders. We send them to school learn many things we don’t send them to read text books only. We want them learn leadership, experience ,opportunity etc
It is bad example tell the kids don’t watch president speech
Some conservatives they don’t understand what is conservatism
It's better than reading "My Pet Goat" to the kids while the country was under attack!
Apparently the GOP has lost respect for the Office of the President of the United States. When he takes the time to talk to kids about the importance of school and hard work...it is not a distraction. It places emphasis on how important school is. I cannot believe this is even being debated.
Is there not a single Republican left who will not stoop to pandering and rabble rousing to score a few points?
Is there not a single Republican left who has a good idea about a real issue?
What are we to do with these jokers who put their party and careers before the good of the country?
Wow, Palenty! I sure hope no child in school grows up to be like you. Talk about wearing the "Hater's Hat"! Believe it or not, the children may understand the health care issue better than you and anyone agreeing with your comments. My goodness, STOP the MADNESS!!
Give it a break, Pawlenty. It's going to be a positive speech with no politics in it. This is a bad thing for our kids? Have you ever spoken at a school? Were the parents notified and given an opportunity to not have their kids attend? This is ridiculous. Just more stupid republican criticism of anything and everything that Obama does.
At least he encouraged them to stay in school, if the former prez had stayed in school, we wouldn't had to listened such an ignoramous for 8 years.
This is the clown who didn't know if he would do his job and let Franken be seated as a senator regardless of whether or not he won the election? These Republicans have begun to believe their own press releases and are now convinced that the very voters who gave Obama a landslide are ready to jump ship and join the Rush-Beck-McConnell team. Boy are they in for some surprises in 2010 and 2012. Or maybe they are afraid that by speaking to school kids America will remember Bush's "My Pet Goat" in the headlights look when informed that the world Trade Center had been attacked.
Talk about lame, uninspired excuses.
Let's tell the truth, a significant portion of the republican party loses it's mind when a democrat is in office. They become obstructionist...taking every single thing the President does out of context ON PURPOSE for political points is lower than I thought I would ever see conservatives sink in this country.
Personally, I think it is fear and prejudice.
what is wrong with encouraging kids to stay in school?
The truly racist nature of the opposition is becoming blaringly obvious.
When is the president of the US not allowed to speak? What is wrong the republicans?
This is disgusting....
The GOP has lost its moral compass.
What is happening with this party borders on treason.
The lies, the hatred, the disrespect.
How does one abolish a party?
Oh good grief!! Haven't we got much bigger fish ti fry with the economy and healthcare issues? He is the President. Leave it up to the schools to decide when, where and how to use the speech so it will not interfere with the normal school day.
What is this all about?
Every other president has given messages to and met with students.
Why is is suddenly inappropriate for "this" president to talk with students? This is just foolishness. Gov. Pawlenty should take a long hard look within himself and discover what his real issue is with President obama
For crying out loud, Obama is the elected President. What better way to engage children in old-fashioned civics that for them to watch the President talk to them? Does Pawlenty also think it unnecessary to "force" reading, writing, and arithmetic upon the nation's school children?
These right-wingers need to stop ascribing sinister motives to everything the President does; either that or get some pychotherapy.
A mailing list? Of schoolkids' names? All perspective has finally been lost. Other sitting presidents have given speeches to schoolchildren with nary a peep – Reagan even mentioned his tax cuts in one of his. President Obama could give a speech about how kittens are cute and far-right Republicans would look for a reason – any reason, even fictional – to screech. I've asked parents who decry this speech what exactly they don't like about it. Overwhelmingly I hear "he's indoctrinating our kids!" Um – as in "education = good"? Ooooh. Scary. The funniest, though, is those who cry foul at taking away 20 minutes of educational time and are pulling their kids out of school for the entire day.
I cannot believe that of all people, Mitt Romney has not joined the fray. He's earned back a modicum of my respect.
another example of the 'no' party doing anything to might help this country out make it worse for the poor and make their buddies richer!
The Republican party is on head long race to the bottom. Pawlenty has joined the list of its prominent fools.
The republicans are plain stupid!... Or, is it that they are in a complete madness?!...
another republican racist, bigot, a--le, sorry. i am so sick of these folks, they are corrupting amerika, they are big bussiness. check out jim greer's web-site if you want to get sick.
Now that they're no longer in power, the Republicans are worse than when they were. A most dispciable group of people.
Pawlenty, now there 's a voice I don't need to hear. It's both shameful and despicable that the neo-cons have made such a circus out of nothing. America becomes less a great nation everyday because of 25% that think they should be in control of everyone's life.
This is ridiculous.......and becoming clearly a racial thing. The Bushes spoke to school children without outrage. Why can't this intelligent black man?..............Stop the hate
What in the He!! is wrong with people like this? These people are so unhappy that their person lost the race that they would cut their own children's throats to make President Obama look bad. Get over it. This smart black man wrong! Get the hell over it you FOOLS!
Pandering, much? There is no conspiracy here. There is no risk of imminent harm. It's the PRESIDENT TELLING KIDS TO WORK HARD AND LEARN STUFF. My god, you Republican screamers would fall all over yourselves to shout the man down if he claimed that the sun rises in the east. Go make yourselves useful and do something about the health care crisis, would you?
permalink- what goes around comes around. what is wrong with these republicans, they just do not know how to get along.Shame on you past governor Permalink You sound so Jealous of Obama. shame on you,
I'm glad we know about this jerk early on. I wonder if he minded when Bush I and Nixon made speeches to school children. The Republican reaction is absurd. What is wrong with this president, or any president, encouraging kids to achieve more in schools?
Hmmm...he didn't criticize Presidents' Bush or Reagan for doing the same thing. This guy is PURE PARTISAN. He and those like him (on both sides) are what is destroying this country.
There's nothing wrong with a school message from any President right, left or in the middle.
Reagan talked about taxes with his address to students. My daughter was in high school when Reagan came to town and the school never asked parents if it was okay to go to his rally. My daughter didn't want to go and I didn't even know about it, we were not Reagan supporters but I saw no harm in listening to another point of view. I see no harm in listening now and I do, so should more citizens listen and absorb instead of condemn. Very sad state of affairs for the USA!
"It is time we stand up to President Obama,"It is time we stand up for our principles, and it is time we stand up for the American people."
He sounds like Obama is the enemy...Has these Repubs about the only people who will suffer if Obama were to fail?... Most Americans voted for him... and that gives him the right to represent them...
Tim, we shouldnt criticize Barry from creating the Obama youth, after all, Adalph did it.
Never in the history of this country we have a intelligent President, Smart and Honest, STOP GOP just making noise because if we analyze from the last past 60 years, YOU REPUBLICANS have been making big mass and infecting un-educated citizens all over, with this technique of fear and intimidation.
Please let Mr. Obama to make a difference in the good people of this country.
As far you Republicans, keep you mouth shout.
This hate mongering of the President has got to stop. The Republicans are making themselves look like fools. I am so glad that I swtiched parties.The party of "no' and hate" will never hold power again at the rate they are going. They are an embarrassment.
Wow. That is truly some of the worst rubbish I have heard.
"It is time to stand up to President Obama"!!! What happened to respecting our leaders??
Some conservatives are blowing this way out of proportion. President Obama is merely giving a pep speech to children. Trying to start their school year off right. He is showing support and encouragement to thousand of students who may not have good role models to look up to.
What happened to standing behind our president?
These jokers are the gift that keeps on giving. Republicans need to get serious fast, before they become a complete joke.
Governor, did you speak out this way when Reagan and Bush did the same. Reagan even spoke about tax cuts. I hope you had the same outrage?! My guess is not!
All the little Obama Youth, must learn that Obama is coolness.
I agree with Pawlenty. To those who think Obama is a role model, and want him to instruct or inspire their kids – let them go to YouTube. You can get internet access in any public library, and maybe check out a book while you're there. I'm responsible for my child's life, and education, and frankly, don't see Obama as a person my child should emulate. I'll handle her education, thank you very much. My child will either be opting out of sitting through this speech, or sitting at home on Tuesday.
You people ought to be ashamed! I had thought that the racism I hear in these types of comments had been somewhat diffused but I am sad to say it is not. Never have I ever heard anyone be so hateful to a President of the United States who is trying to motivate our school children to excel.
I'm from Minnesota and Tim Pawlenty, all joking aside, makes Jesse Ventura look like a great governor.
The Governor, and those who hold that poistio, need to find other worthwhile thiiings to worry about. First, ther is nothiikng wrong with motivating our children and encouraging them to stay in school. Also, our forefathers provided for freedom of speech.
I would so much as suggest that the Republicans fear there children will come home from school after hearing Obama's speech adding pressure to Mom and Dad about healthcare.
Do we all recall that Bush only made speech in "hanger's" telling the troops we are a Nation at War, and thank you so much for giving to your country. That Republicans is all the speech he was able to give and always at our Arm Service Bases. How stupid we were to even allow that war in Iraq, now we have to spend and send our troops where they should have gone first! Afghanistan!
A speech not yet delivered but everyone seems to know the content and find it necessary to offer up their criticism of words yet unspoken. Can you not wait, listen to the speech, and then offer your praise and/or criticism based on the factual content of his spoken word.
Time to stand up for our principles?
Arent those what got us in all this trouble in the first place?
The last thing this country needs is more republican principles.
You have got to be kidding me! When I was in school, they stopped class to show the ruling in the OJ Simpson trial. I think school is a great place to show the POTUS when he is reading a speech intended for school children. People need to grow up and find something else to complain about, like unemployment or healthcare, not whether or not the President is going to "disrupt" the classroom. Get a life.
From the same people that want to force the Bible and other deluded fantasies on our children as if they were facts.
Of course, the Obama speech will take time away from learning our ultra-nationalist history books, and phys.ed, it's not much of a loss. I suppose that we could start teaching our children hardcore math and science, but then they'd have to move to India or China to get a job.
Repukes at it again – drive that spike deeper and deeper... Isn't it time for all the repukes to move to Texas and have Texas secede already? Makes perfect sense to me. There are, after all, Americans and then there are Texans. Time to sharpen the pitchforks, get out "the really big shoe" (ala Ed Sullivan) and kick their pathetic carcasses into Texas...
I am so sick and tired of the massive overwhelming hypocrisy of the ReTHUGlican party in this country. The president wants to encourage kids to study hard, do well, etc, and they are criticizing him for it. Morons.
Shut this guy up! What in hell is the harm in having the President speak to school children?
What a MORONIC thing to crab about....
Pawlenty and the other nay-saying GOP'ers that are being negative about this are completely stirring up political drama and should be ashamed of themselves. Bush Senior did the exact same thing - giving a speech to America's school children - and no one complained then. These phoney conservative king pins are completely manipulating a vulnerable and maliable group of people (typical Red Stater's) to protest this - based on fear and falsehoods - in order to gain control back and get back to their conservative agenda.
Time to get tough. We need to completely destroy the Republican Party. Let the Libertarians be the other party. At least they are for social freedoms and keeping religion out of politics - and they do not resort to fear tactics.
The republicans have lost their minds. When the president is criticized for telling school children to work hard and stay in school we have come to a very ugly place in politics.
I think it's gut check time for conservatives. How ugly do you really want people to think you are? Because so far the nasty, slimy things that crawl around under rocks are, in comparison, cute and fuzzy next to you.
Personally, the address issue may be streching the hysteria a little too far but I certainly agree the 'inital' packet was very questionable.
National news sites is a better forum than schools.
I honestly can't get my head around what is going on in American politics. In a remarkable replay of the early 1990's, the hard-right is throwing an absolute hissy-fit over the fact that a Democrat had the audacity of winning the White House after a decade of Republican mis-management.
But this profound and fundamental disrespect for the office of the President is new. Whether it was the early, more vague, "hoping" that Obama "fails," to the "Waterloo" crap from a couple months ago, to this craziness about a simple address the President is to make to the nation's schoolchildren, but the GOP and its fellow travellers have truly crossed the line between legitimate political competition to outright unpatrotic scheming.
They no longer seem to care about the well-being of the United States; they'd rather score political points. The only logicial conclusion of their political rants is overthrowing the government by force or causing personal harm to Barack Obama and/or his family.
With the exception of a truly SMALL HANDFUL of lunatics on the far-left, no one in the Democratic party or its sympathizers would have ever dreamed of objecting to a President Bush addressing the nation's students (especially in the abstract without ANY knowledge of the content of such a speech). To object (especially in the abstract) that a speech by the President of the United States is (or is even likely to be) "indoctrination" or propoganda or whatever is simply OFFENSIVE. And, yes, this UNPRECEDENTED apoplexy by the right over a legitimate activity by the first Black POTUS is no coincidence: there is ABSOLUTELY a racist undertone to all of this.
I was no fan of George W Bush, but I would never object to such a speech by him, nor to my children watching or discussing such a speech. I would certainly discuss it afterwards with my children and explain why I disagree with some point or other he may have made, but (short of something truly extremist and outrageous [e.g., proclaiming Christianity as the national religion, maybe?] included in the ACTUAL SPEECH) I wouldn't have any problem with it whatsoever.
In early November of last year, Barack Hussein Obama was duly elected POTUS in a significant popular and electoral landslide. He is, under the Constitution of the United States, the legitimate holder of the executive power until his first term ends at noon on 1/20/2013.
GOP: DEAL with it....
Did the kids in that Florida classroom have the option of telling Bush they didn't want to hear "My Pet Goat"?
Really Pawlenty, if you're just going to play GOP poltics as usual, just shut up.
What a complete and total buffoon – and a hypocrite. George H.W. Bush did his own address to all students during his own term as President and we NEVER heard this kind of criticism. We don't need politicians – we need statesmen. Politicians care about the next election – statesmen care about the next generation. For the President to encourage children to work hard, get their diploma, go to college, and set goals for themselves is applaudable. Pawlenty is not.
I cannot believe the depths to which these people have sunk. The president, the duly elected commander in chief of this country, wants to encourage students to persevere in school and make educational goals. He is not going to "indoctrinate" anyone. He simply wants to encourage kids to succeed in school, something that is outside the political arena. The hate and mistrust is simply unfathomable. I fear for where we are headed as a nation when every single move the president makes is railed against by these kinds of mindless, malicious attacks.
Ask him if he would allow George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abe Lincoln, Ronald Reagan..to speak to students?? If he says yes well you an issue about color if says no he reveals his lame brain thinking....how did he ever get to Gov..??
Seriously? Gov. Pawlenty says "It is time we stand up to President Obama". You've got to be kidding. All the Repubs have done since they got crushed in the 2008 elections is pout and throw tantrums. Heaven forbid that they actually offer up real solutions to help the US get back on its feet. Gov. Pawlenty himself was obstructionist-in-chief for failing to put an end to the charade of ex-Senator Coleman in his baseless lawsuits.
How about offering real solutions to help real people? The GOP will be taken seriously when they stop acting like a spoiled child. The voters in 2008 spanked them hard, but they still haven't received the message. There's always 2010.
I don't see why these people are getting their underwear in such a twist. I think it is wonderful for the President of the United States to address the students. He is trying to encourage children to stay in school and get a good education. Give it a rest. I for one am sick and tired of the conservatives whinning. They had 8 years to make a difference and what did they do? Under fund No Child left behind. That needs to be junked and teachers need to go back to teaching children and forget only teaching them to pass a test.
As a professional educator for over forty years, I can't believe the uproar from republicans and conservatives over the presidents upcoming speech to school children. We have an educational crisis in this country that potentially is more devastating than budget or health care issues. If we don't turn our attention to our schools and kids, we will be left behind by the rest of the developed world. This president is the best example that I can think of to represent the power of a good education.
I only hope that the majority of Americans are not taken in by these 'scare' and 'hate' tactics that are being put forward by republicans, stirring the pot that could become a breeding ground for the reversal of all the social advances we have made in our history.
C. Cafferty
This is just pathetic and once again shows the paranoia on the part of these "conservatives". If it was Bush, Cheney or any other repub giving a speech to classrooms, there would be no problem at all. And, even if the speech is about working hard in school and promoting the idea of education, these folks will uncover some hidden meaning that's meant to brainwash their kids into liberalism.
Pawlenty, S.t.F. up.
OMG! These people have lost their freakin minds! Can we say paranoid conservatives???? I did not think they could get any worse but they are falling further and further into some parallel univers. Faux News at its best–exactly who is destroying this country??? Have the republicans no shame at all???
I would just like everyone to honestly answer this question: If George W. Bush were addressing your children and there were lines such as "what can you do to help George W. Bush" would you be alright with it?
The president of the united states wants to encourage kids to work hard and stay in school and they are fighting him on that! It's insane. George Bush did the exact same thing and nobody minded. If a Republican president wanted to do the same thing today, this wouldn't be an issue. Some republicans just can't accept that we have a Democrat for President and are fighting him even when he does things that even a Republican President can do. These republicans have a double standard. They are ridculous and TOTALLY irrational. It would almost be funny if their wasn't so many of them. Some of them say that they are afraid to live in the US right now with him as president. If a Democrat were to say that when Bush was in office, Republicans would be screaming that they were Anti-American. Well, what are you crazy Republicans today! And I don't mean all Republicans. I know their are sane ones that wonder what in the hell all you irrational Rush Limbaugh loving fools are thinking! Think for yourself, don't let Rush think for you!
I can't believe this BS. I was certainly no fan of Bush but would have never considered objecting to a speech by the President of the United States aimed at children that told them to be more responsible about their grades. I think the GOP is using what Chuck D of Public Enemy so perfectly described as "Fear of a Black Planet" to rile their mostly WASP base. Despicable is the closest word to describe this balony.
Another Republican that thinks Democrats should not talk to children? This is news?
It is a sad day when a President is criticized for speaking to students. Shame on you conservatives. The election is over – you can vote again in less then 4 years quit making everything an actionable issue. If you recall when the planes hit on 9/11 President Bush was reading to school children which by the way shows the children they are important. There was no controversy then as there should not be now. The classroom is the perfect forum to tell children to work hard and set goals. This is turning into a country of hatred and misinformation instead of fact checking and real issues. And conservative America wonders why children lack respect for authority. Maybe it is because they learned it at home.
Republicans are unbelievable!! They should be working on solutions to the nation's problems instead of attacking the president for encouraging students to work hard and stay in school!!! I just don't get it!!
"...if people would like to hear his message they can, on a voluntary basis, go to YouTube or some other source and get it," [Pawlenty] told reporters at the Minnesota State fair.
It's already voluntary, you stupid failure. No one's child is being forced to watch Obama's address. Don't like it? Ask for your child to do homework in the cafeteria or library. And two, it's disruptive? Yeah, encouraging our nation's children to get a good education is really disruptive. Is this man seriously in a position of power?
So Mr. Pawlenty thinks students should drop out of school? And what, become bums like him?
I think CNN gets it right today–these Republicans are "wingnuts."
Obama makes me sick to my stomach. As socialists popularized with T-shirts in 03 regarding Bush, "Obama: Not my President". I was hoping Obama could unify this country but he has shown time and time again with his socialist agenda that he's polarizing this country much worse than Bush ever did.
Keep doing what you're doing Obama, you've just about guaranteed a Republican president in the 2012 election.
Now, Republicans are against free speech! What is wrong with them? What has happened to common decency and civility?
I'm a republican. I don't care for President Obama's policies; however, his message to children should be assumed to be positive, just as Republican President George H.W. Bush's was when he delivered his message to the children. So, for Goveror Pawlenty and others who think this is politics; shut up and get on with real business. Democrats whined about Bush's address; now Republicans are whining about Obama's address. Both sides' fears and adverse comments are unfounded and unwelcomed. Just look at how much airtime and e-time we're burning up over this non-issue. Go out and solve a real fricking problem; this ain't one of them.
It's crazy how Republicans just blindly attack Obama at every end. Do they think this is what the American people really want. I'm all for criticism but when do they start actually making argument and presenting an alternative instead of just attacking whatever Obama says or does?
They do realize that Reagan and Bush both addressed school children. This is not a new precedent for the Commander of Chief. Really all of this blind hatred really just shows how out of touch they are with the fact that US Citizens have real problems with unemployment, housing and healthcare. They would rather do everything they can to make Obama fail then to actually be part of the solution. It's just really, really sad.
What is the matter with these people? I've never heard such a ridiculous fuss about nothing in my life. The President is going to encourage children to work hard in school and achieve and this is bad? I'm incredulous that supposedly sane people can devise a conspiracy out of all this. I guess it confirms the fact that our educational system has failed if these parents aren't any brighter than this. As for Governor Pawlenty, he certainly has no excuse and should be ashamed of himself for feeding this trumped up divisiveness for politics. It's disgusting.
But it was ok when Reagan did it in the late 80's?? Writing a letter to the President might get the kids on a mailing list?? Seriously, I could think of some far out BS, but come on. So our President shouldn't tell kids to stay in school and try to get them involved with planning their own futures?? This just further shows that no matter what this president does, the GOP will come out against it. Way to teach your kids to appreciate current events or actually listening instead of following the parent's ideas of what should be taught.
These people are foolish and gullible. For crying out loud, show some respect for our president.
Pawlenty suggests exactly what's wrong with modern media: that we SHOULD pre-filter information by tuning in only to those media channels that will deliver messages we emotionally agree with. Now, we've got parents and politicians who are OFFENDED to hear any media source that is not pre-filtered.
This is book-burning in the digital age. We should seek a truth that it is actually true, not one that is convenient.
Screw the Conservatives and the Repugs. They are simply trying to create more fear and distrust.
We need less distrust and more confidence in our leadership.
It is amazing to hear the rabid right come out against a speech by the POTUS to students in which he is going to encourage them to stay in school and aspire to the highest level of education they can achieve. What do these people fear? Are tehy afraid that in a few minutes, Obama can undo their efforts to teach their children at home and in school? Are tehy afraid that in a few short inutes (20 tops) that Obama will somehow transform their future right wing white Christian boys and girls into Islamic-loving socialists who will show up at Sunday dinner with a black boyfriend/grlfriend/gay partner? If your values and teachings are worth a cent, they will withstand anything Obama can say in 20-minutes, and if they cannot withstand the words of encouragement to stay in school and work hard, then they are pretty pathetic.
The remark by one of the Texas Stooges last night that "Maybe we just think a little different down here," reeked of the old George Wallace reaction to Civil Rights workers. Sure there's no overtly racist reasons coming out of their mouths, but this is nothing that Bush, Reagan and a host of otehrs have done in the past – and as much as I dislike Bush, I'd insist my son go to school to participate if he showed up. This is patently stupid, it is anti-education/anti-intelligent, and solely based on insecurity and fear.
The news reports that the Republican, President Bush forced himself on school children by delivering a speech in which he told them they should say no to drugs. It seems that a speech delivered to school children by President Obama telling them they should take individual responsibility for the education is equivalent and more benign, in that it is less value laiden. People in this country should be much more concerned about the school drop out rate, the inability to obtain employment without technical education beyond high school, and the lack of awareness on the part of young students that they must take individual responsibility for their education and may suffer the rest of their life if they don't. This debate is not about a problem in suggesting to students that they be responsible. It appears that there is some other tacit agenda.
If it is OK for Bush and Reagan than why is it not ok for President Obama.
Just another WEAK argument by the desperate Republicans. This CLOWN supports teachings by Right-wing parents to thier children consisting of LIES ,HATE and FEARS.
Disgusting. How can we expect other countries to respect our country and our President if we can't.
So Governor Pawlenty, by your missive you are saying that a POTUS should not go to a classroom to show concern, offer encouragement and ask for suggestions from students because it's disruptive and unwanted. Or, as I suspect, is it you don't want this POTUS going into a classroom because he might be met with approval?
Here in Texas I hear people on the radio basically saying that they don't want "THAT" guy talking to their children because it's not appropriate for a President to cause such a disruption in the nornal day-to-day routine of the students.
For all of you who believe that, I have three words for you........"My Pet Goat."
Ininvited? President Obama doesn't need an invitation to provide a positive message to students. Did Gov. Pawlenty or others say such things when the first Pres. Bush addressed school children? Many presidents have done the same. Makes us wondery why....
Just when you think these people couldn't become more deranged! Is this REALLY worth the effort and time and outrageous crap they're spewing? It's sickening beyond belief!
Yes, Pawlenty, but it was fine when George W. sat in classrooms or when George Sr. addressed classes nationwide? How disruptive was that?
I think Romney's remarks are much more appropriate.
OMG the President wants to encourage kids to study and stay in school who does he think he is? Pawlenty and all 2012 seekers can stop the phony outrage , we know why you're trying like to keep future voters as dumb as possible, the blue haired 19% can't be kept on life support forever.
Tama, IA
That's the only word for Pawlenty's comments:
Out rageous !!!
This is disgusting and totally self serving. Why report on this?
When did it become a bad thing for school children to hear the president speak. These right wing crazies are so susceptible to the media, CNN you should be ashamed of all the coverage your are giving this garbage.
What's that? An address by the President of the United States? You're right, students shouldn't be exposed to that kind of thing AT ALL. Never mind that the most important man in the world has paused to give them (non-voters) some consideration.
Take care of Minnesota, Tim. You and your ilk have put us way deep in the hole so spend your paid time getting us out!
Disgruntled Minnesotan!
You stand up for nodody but your little cronies, Pawlenty. You and your republican cronies are the Party of FAIL and you are desparate to paint your adversaries that same way. Misery loves company.
Perhaps we should have behaved the same way in the early '90s when George Herbert Walker Bush made a speech to the kids.
You know what this is really about, right wingers.
Ridiculous! If this is the best Republicans can do in a thinly veiled attempt to voice their bigoted dissent, then they are much worse off than we had even imagined.
Jealosy has no place, Mr. Pawlenty. You've got no chance but need to fill the news space so you go about shooting that empty mouth.
I'm am sick to my stomach at the trash talking racist media does on Obama.These people think that acceptance of a black president means the sky is falling.Sure, when Bush was in office people had opposing opinions, I doubt they lit up torches, h...eaded for the White House, crying you are brainwashing our children w/ political agenda, no instead we viewed our president Bush "teaching the childrens", while watching the WTC get taken down. These people say they are nervous about the president talking to their children, that's nothing compared to how nervous people were with our last president, everyday since 9/11...
Republicans are showing themselves to be small, petty, and narrow-minded.
I think it's a wonderful idea that our president wants to encourage school kids to stay in school and work hard. Why is this a bad thing? It's nice that he would take time out of his busy schedule for this. He's showing the kids that he thinks they are important. There are so many foolish, mean spirited people in this country. President Obama is only trying to do good things. He hasn't done anything to warrant the kind of nastiness coming from Republicans. Now I know the prerequisite to becoming a Republican. A small mind and an abundance of malice.
Just like most republicans, GROW UP! All the things in the world that need to be improved and all the people who need help and the RP can do nothing but reduce themselves down to acting like children
Tim Pawlenty showing his great leadership qualities...
This article is a true indicator as to why Pawlenty could never be re-elected as governor again in Minnesota, and should never be considered a viable candidate for president of the United States.
How utterly childish the GOPers have become. I really think that many of these idiots might learn a lesson or two from their own children not only in classroom behavior, but general ethics as well.
If the GOP thinks they are diminishing the Obama presidency with this nonsense, they are very wrong. It only serves to prove just how low this party of fools has dropped in the esteem of the - majority - in this country we all live in.
I thank God Mr. Obama is above all this chatter, and instead has shown more grace and courage to which those on the right will NEVER achieve.
Where was Pawlenty when President Regan did the same thing preaching don't do drugs? Or when President Bush did after 9/11 So is it ok when a Republican does it, but not when a Democrat does it?
B oy do the repucklicans forget the past, what about their greatest prez in history Ronald Reagan telling the kids about his tax plan oh thats right he was a repucklican it's ok
This is an absolutely absurd position for Tim Pawlenty! I would be thrilled if the President spoke to our school children about working hard and determination to get good grades and looking to the future. It is NOT disruptive, it would NOT be uninvited, and it WOULD BE inspirational. I think it is high time all of the Senate and Congress stood up against this kind of rhetoric and stand with President of the United States to push back on some of these extreme views. Where is the guts – where is the leadership out there!
There is no end in sight to the stupidity of the GOP.
We should all make a point to laugh at these clowns next week after President addresses the students. Then we will know that President Obama was merely offered a positive message to students to stay in school and work hard. And to accuse Obama of injecting politics?!
Pawlenty is a governor acting this way?! It is shameful behavior.
This is another example of the GOP out of touch and out of mind with the mood of the public. The next thing that Pawlenty will say that the President cannot address the nation and that the people of this country should do it on a voluntary basis by getting Obama's speech off You Tube!! Mr. President, you have the overwhelming support of the American public. This is the right thing to do to address the nation's students. We are 100% behind you and just ignore the barking dogs.
It is amazing to hear the rabid right come out against a speech by the POTUS to students in which he is going to encourage them to stay in school and aspire to the highest level of education they can achieve. What do these people fear? Are thy afraid that in a few minutes, Obama can undo their efforts to teach their children at home and in school? Are they afraid that in a few short inutes (20 tops) that Obama will somehow transform their future right wing white Christian boys and girls into Islamic-loving socialists who will show up at Sunday dinner with a black boyfriend/grlfriend/gay partner? If your values and teachings are worth a cent, they will withstand anything Obama can say in 20-minutes, and if they cannot withstand the words of encouragement to stay in school and work hard, then they are pretty pathetic.
The remark by one of the Texas Stooges last night that "Maybe we just think a little different down here," reeked of the old George Wallace reaction to Civil Rights workers. Sure there's no overtly racist reasons coming out of their mouths, but this is nothing that Bush, Reagan and a host of others have done in the past – and as much as I dislike Bush, GHW Bush even had a "Freedom Plan" for students to study, but I'd insist my son go to school to participate if he showed up. This is patently stupid, it is anti-education/anti-intelligent, and solely based on insecurity and fear.
He is the President, during 9/11 Bush was reading to kids. BIG DEAL GET A LIFE. He is our President, we voted for him
It is all politics. The Republicans are attempting to defeat Obama at all costs including costs to our Nation.
"Its time we stand up to President Obama"..
Really? He's OUR President...
He's been in office 8 months, what do u mean "Its time"??
Where was your disapproval when Bush was sitting there reading to kindergardeners while our Twin Towers were being attacked (under his watch)?
God, these Republicans are utterly out of their minds.
Obama can save a kitten from a tree and the Republicans will still manage to find fault in his actions.
No wonder this country is in such bad shape.
The republicans have finally gone off the earth and are in space somewhere. These bozo's not only wanted to undo the US constitution under Bush but they want to finish destroying the country. How is a speech to students by the president being received with such vehemence, vitriol and hatred? It boggles the mind. How is telling students to do well in school and help the country such a bad thing? I don't like these republicans view of my country. I think that they should just fade into the scrap heap of bad ideas.
You know the Republicans never cease to amaze me. I for one had high hopes that in the year of 2009 the United States would be acceptable to a man of color being the President.
It is so sad how the republicans are trying everything in their power to bring President Obama down. I can accept that they may have some legitimate concerns and different views; however, some of these things they are doing are out of pure hatred and has to do with the fact that they can't accept a black man as President. No matter what he does, they find fault with it.
When did encouraging students to stay in school become harmful? My gosh, he is a caring and loving father and would do nothing to harm any of your children. I am sick of all this negativity and arguing back and forth. Let's give him the respect he deserves as President.
I pray everyday that God covers him and his family and give him strength to make it through these hard times. To all you true believers, let's keep our President uplifted in prayer. NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST HIM WILL PROSPER.!!!!
I am so sick and tired of the "repugs"and their whining about every and any thing that Pres. Obama does. Instead of them doing what is best for the nation-they always have bring politics into the fold. They are like some whining two year old having a temper tantrum. They do not respect and accept the fact that Obama won the election. Contrary to what morning joe-with his arrogance says about Pres. Obama being in office for 9mos.-when it has only been 7mos.-he has done more than any of the repugs have done!!!!!
How disrespectful to mock the President regarding his talk to the Nations children. A 10 year child said" that there are some people who won't accept President Obama as our first African American President. He is a postive image for all people and some people don't what everybody to know he is a good role model". A 10 year said this. Shame on these parents and those oppose to the President speaking to our nation children. How disrepectful is it, that our congressmen will support this crazy and insane move. But God will prevail, because I believe the President will reach millions of children with a postive and inspiring message and will be received by our nation's children equally Amen!
Yeah, we sure don't want Obama persuading kids to stay in school. That would be a tragedy. (But I supported it when George H.W. Bush did it. That was different.)
More incredible and ridiculous paranoia from the right wing.
What is at work here is blantant rascism from the GOP. The news media need to call these racists out. The repuplican party is a party of racists period. It is okay for Bush ( a white man) to talk to school children, but when it come to Obama ( a black man), then there is a problem. They have hidden behind the Tea Party, the health care misinformation (outright lies), call the the president nazi, communists, socialist etc. Enough is enough.
You Pawnlenty JERK!. The President is NOT forcing Our School students that NEEDS someone to tell how important it is to take care of business in school. We as a Nation is failing in Education(WE ALL KNOW THIS) You guys out there are soooo quick to trash the President on ANYTHING good that he is doing. I did not in the past and still do not see /hear in the present about anything you guys are doing for the good of our country. REPUBLICANS YOU GUYS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES.
YOU GO MR. PRESIDENT. YOU WILL BE THE WINNER IN THE END.
As a Minnesota resident, I am particularly outraged at the audacity of this arrogant pup to criticize the President's right to speak to school children of America. Pawlenty is a dangerous person who spreads lies and republican propaganda. The people of Minnesota are extremely upset with his lack of leadership and refusal to consider bi-partican solutions. He is leaving our state in shambles.
Perhaps Pawlenty didn't know that Reagan and George H.W. Bush also addressed the school childen on the first day of school. That was all right, of course, since they were neither black nor democrats..
"...well, what are they are going to do with those names and is that for the purpose of a mailing list?" Pawlenty said."
If I had to list 10 of the stupidest things to come out of a politician's mouth this year, this would be one of them. Yeah, and maybe the younger ones would get a response back in crayon.
Someone needs to put a foot in these Repugnicans' @sses. This kind of unbelievable crap has got to STOP. They are over the top at this point and think that just because the ignorant and uneducated are buying into the lies about Healthcare reform that they can try to stir up crap about ANYTHING our president does or says. This has got to stop NOW. The man is a father in his own right and would not say anything to hurt America's children. I have never seen in my 42 years on this Earth such obvious racial hatred of a president as I see here. Just unbelievable..
I think the Governor has lost all respect for the office of the Presidency. The Republican party will soon be able to meet on a raft because they are clearly becoming more and more isolated.
As a parent, a grandmother, and a former teacher, I would have welcomed having a wonderful person such as President Obama address my children. We desperately need role models in America to help our children know what it means to be moral and ethical Americans. They certainly couldn't tell from listening to this governor or to the other weasels who show such disdain for President Obama. I now see that the immorality of Lee Atwater lives on in the Republican Party, especially in this governor. Shame on you!
Really? Really? This is what its come to? A President can't even tell kids to hold themselves accountable and get an education? Wow. Good luck US of A in the 21st century.
Note that the less educated US electorate consistently votes Republican. Our President, a role model for the nation's youth, wants to give a speech to boost confidence in our school kids. And the Republicans turn that into a political controversy. You're the "say no" party, a party of radical hypocrites with no agenda other than stifling the democrats' agenda, no ideas of your own to improve the nation. It's astonishing to listen to blow-hards like Pawlently criticize the nations president giving an address to motivate the nation's school children. Republican obstructionists at it again. Please, people, use your heads and don't listen to people like Pawlently, Steele, Palin (the worst of all), and the others...
I am so sick of these uneducated fools, please give it a rest people.
The horse is out the barn, He is the President of the USA.
This is a fact, all you backward thinking people should go sit in the corner and read a book.
This is the greatest President we will ever have. Not all of americans are stupid Black or White we get it,
Well.. Timmy if you don't want to listen to it, it's your prerogative.
It's no wonder that America wants to vote out all incumbents in political office. The silliness of this issue is beyone pale and Tim Pawlenty (along with the various talk show hosts) should be ashamed to even discuss this. Why not have a President (either President Obama's predecessor Pres Bush #1 or President Obama himself) speak to school children across the country. Why not have a venue where children watch and perhaps get interested in the message. What harm can come from an uplifting message of work hard and stay in school?
Pawlenty – are you a klan member? Wy are you so afraid of our first black president?
Our country continues to show its true colors and the racism is stifling.
What else do we expect from the NOP??? i remember Reagan and Bush on their speech to our children's and there was not a fuss from the Democratic Party or the media or the left.
Why the big deal now????? ahhh, perhaps the right wing nuts can't stand someone different to them (should i mention color?)
Spoken like a true traitor. When are we going to root out all the treasonous Nazis calling themselves republicans. They are this country's greatest threat. They got americans killed in Iraq for absolutely no reason, and destroyed our economy. Now they have the audacity to stand in the way of fixing the damage.
(Sounds ridiculous right? That's how conservatives sound right now with all their outlandish personal attacks on the leader of the free world.)
This man is saying that instead of trying to inspire students in person and encourage them to acheive, the president should tell them to look him up on youtube. What a twit.
Darko and the rest of the Republikaaners have no idea what a Socialist regime looks like. If Liberal had withheld their kids from school when Bush addressed them, they would have been called Anti-American.
What a maroon.
In this guy's eyes, no president should ever address America's schoolchildren. No politician should ever address America's schoolchildren, under his "reasoning". For that matter, nobody in any political position of any kind should address America's schoolchildren. Neither should people appointed by a political entity. Which includes those elected to public office. Like school administrators. Who hire teachers.
So let's take the teachers off the list, too, because they were hired by politicians who were elected to the school administration by the same people who elected Obama to the presidency.
Undoubtedly teachers have been poisoned by Obama.
It's truly amazing what idiots will spout when they get in front of a camera.
I may not agree with the president on some issues but this "outrage" is a shame. Are you seriously offended to have someone of his caliber encourage our kids to stay in school? Now you wonder why Americans are falling behind in education? Give me a freaking break! Don't treat us like we are dumb idiots. Even when GWB was it was a welcoming sight to see him read to kids. At least Romney is being a leader by his measured words and I am sure he would side with president Obama on this is he wasn't afraid of some loud mouths in the party. Give me a break.
YOU ARE AN IDIOT, Pawlenty.
I feel horrible for Minnesota. You will never, ever be President. EVER.
The republican party is a shrinking party. This act simply adds to their knee-jerk reaction to whatever the President Obama would do or say. And obviously, once again they base their criticisms on lies and fabrications. If the President of the United States of America wants to tell my kid to work hard and be responsible, then, by God, I will have my kid watch that address. Forcing my child not to watch that is the real crime. Republicans have become truly unpatriotic bunch of angry old white people... sad... so sad... Thank God real Americans voted President Obama in office. Bye bye repubs... nobody will miss ya!
The U.S. Government officials are a very sad representation of the country.
He (Pawlenty) needs to go somewhere and sat down with his racist views. There is nothing wrong with the President telling kids to stay in school and get good grades. Republicans have shown their true colors since President Obama became the POTUS.
This is absolutely outrageous! I am so outraged that right-wing nuts are making the President's speech to school children out to be some sort of political agenda! No wonder the Republicans are losing supporters! How dare they insinuate such lies! I think it's a wonderful thing for our President to encourage kids to stay in school. Why didn't these idiots complain with George Bush #1 and Ronald Reagan talked to school children?! Absolutely insane! What is our country coming to? Where has reason, logic, kindess, and cooperation gone? Our country is in deep trouble with all of this back & forth partisan bickering! I'm an Independent & I'm thinking it's about time to kick all of the Republicans & Democrats out of office & put some Independent, educated people in office!!!
This is crazy! What's wrong with watching the President on TV? I recall watching an address by Ronald Regan as well as George H.W. Bush in school. What... just because Obama's a democrat there's now a problem?
Get over it.
People keep saying indoctrination can someone please point me to one piece of evidence other then the Republican press releases that proves that this is the case? No you can't! Why because it isn't true. I think Republicans need to accept the fact a majority of Americans voted for Obama. The US put up with 8 years of Bush politicizing every aspect of the government and now we need to reverse it.
I can guarantee you something; if this were a Republican President about to address the students of our nation, these same Republicans would be in full support of it.
I never thought I would be saying this, but it seems that Mitt Romney, who I really don't like, is the only Republican out saying something intelligent on the issue.
Your obvious hatred comes from turning your TV to the Fox Noise channel and supergluing the knob so it can't be changed. Why don't you formulate your own opinion after reading the transcript instead of being an arrogant parokeet and echoing everything Hannity said last night.
The front page link to this article said Pawlenty "mocks" Obama's speech. What part of the above article is mocking? The points, which some may disagree with, are at least legitimate and not mocking in nature.
so working hard and helping people = socialism
whatever darko is a racist
What is wrong with us Americans??!! We have political parties ganging up on OUR President, every step of the way. They are not really against what they claim. They are against another party. They have not done a thing towards the benefit of our country. They are putting party at all costs over country. I just can not fathom why. In the past the word of the President was respected. I remember when I was school if there was news or a message the President wanted to convey, the schools would let the children witness this. What's wrong with the current Presidnt's message? Is it bad to encourage our children to try their best at school, to empower them to take charge of their future? MaCarthy is still with us in this country and it truely frightens me.
My god the GOP is has just gone bat crap crazy!!! Any other President, both Dem or Rep would have been able to address our students without all this conspiracy idiocy. But our black President.... oooooh... watch out for the black President. I am so dissapointed in the party that proclaims to be the party of the patriot. They are acting like lunatic liberals and should be joining forces with the AFL-CIO. Maybe now they will at least understand how that organization stands up for people's rights.
And Darko socialism is an economic theory that's it. Take your tinfoil hat off and join the real world.
And who said this country was a true republic? We are all ists merged into what some call a free enterprise – captalist? don't be so naive! Your eyes are wide shut!
I am totally SHOCKED at all of this criticism! President Obama was duly elected by a majority of Americans! Are you saying anything he has to say is not for our childrens' ears?????
I think it is totally appropriate for our school kids to be exposed to politics in school. Isn't that where they LEARN about life??? We had politics in high school when I was there in the 1950's, for cryin' out loud! We had ELECTIONS for class positions!
I hope these kids DO go to U-Tube and wherever Obama's speeches are and really listen to them. Then they will see what hypocrites they have for parents.
I am very disappointed that Obama caved in to these sick conspiracy wackos. These people should NOT be breeding kids!!!
Why the uproar!?
As a grade school student I was forced to respect Ronald Reagan and George H Bush. Their photos hung over our classrooms with their smirks hovering above our heads.
It was after I grew up that I realized they were both douche bags and had some really terrible divisive policies! But I was FORCED to respect and listen to them.
The conservative base really needs to get a grip! Thanks to McCain and Palin on the campaign trail, now all the impressionable Jesus lovers are trembling with the words "Obama scares me." They are pathetic!
What's with these republicans anyhow, saw the Senator from OK saying Governement is taking over the schools, where were they when "43" put the non-funded "no child left behing", are they also complaining about Title IX....it seems that no matter what President Obama does according to Republicans its wrong. Are their memories so short they forgotten the mess that "43" left this Country in?
The Republicans are completely out of control. I hope this comes back to bite them on the butt when he gives the address and it turns out just fine and totally uncontroversial. People will see that their hysterics are just massive overreactions and it will discredit them in the health care debate as well.
Governor's Pawlenty's comments show that he has little or nothing constructive to say and that it is good news that he won't run for the Governor's office again. It would help the country if politicians, especially Republicans, could find a way to contribute in a positive way rather than make comments like these.
Obama wants to address students to encourage them to do well and work hard. Nothing to do with socialism. Nothing to do with anything political at all. This howle debate is completly outrageous.
You know what, I'm a registered Republican and I don't need the likes of the paranoid leaders of the Republican Party "standing up for me". I can stand up for myself by researching these ridiculous political controversies and forming my own conclusions as to whether there is any truth to them. If the rest of the Republicans would do the same thing they would find out that their party has been high jacked by a bunch of nuts who are feeding them extreme distortions and lies. If there are any "normal" Republicans left out there, I'd suggest that you start joining local Republican clubs in great numbers and taking control of the party again. That's what the ultra-conservative, right wing nuts did and they now outnumber reasonable, sane Republicans and have made the party into a farce. We need to elect new leadership that won't pander to this lunatic fringe, starting with Republican Party officials at all levels, to local and national elected political officeholders. This stupid controversy over the President speaking to school children is the icing on the cake.
Oh, please give me a break. I am sick of this garbage and this pouncing on everything.
This isn't about our President speaking to the nations' children, it's about the Republicans, who have no solutions, going after our President. On 9/11 former President Bush was sitting in a classroom reading a book to children and guess what, he kept reading.
Telling kids to take some personal responsibility for their education and work hard is a problem? What is wrong with these nutters?
I'm sorry, but Obama is the President Of The United States. If he wants to start the school year off by inspiring youth and speaking about education-related issues, let him! He lets "tea parties" run amock and uneducated and false rumors regarding health care reform run rampant throughout the internet. Maybe if we allowed him to lead more instead of acting like ignorant teenagers threatening to run away from home if we don't get our way, things might begin to look a little better.
To Darko: you mean like the time when George Bush spoke to students? Or when George W. Bush spoke to students? Do you think that should have been disallowed?
Why do Republicans hate America so much?
It is really unfortunate that this governor is trying to keep this country divided. What are you telling our children when you say, (you dont need to listen to that man). After all he is the President of the United States. What next? Will we be telling our children they dont need to listen to their teachers who want them to do well? " What better man to motivate our children than the President? This should not even be a debate. So unfortunate.
Republicans – what a bunch of distasteful, evil, self-serving hypocrites! They have watched the United States go into a tailspin for the last eight years and done nothing. Now, that they have been kick-assed out of power, all they can do is whine and cry. Get a life you worthless traitors!!
Let's get real here, people. Liberals would have had an absolute fit if President Bush planned to have a compulsory attendance meeting for all schoolkids followed by projects in which the children had to write essays entitled, "How I can help President Bush."
Considering this simple and obvious reality, I think it's about time that the liberals took their own medicine and acknowledge that dissent is patriotic.
I mean, hey, they insisted it was patriotic when Bush was president, right?
Repubs are like Mikey-They HATE EVERYTHING.
He's the president. Thats all that should matter. Nobody batted an eye when Reagan wanted to address the students. He was the president and regardless of his politics he was given the respect that that office deserves.
But if republicans would like to go down this road and set this precedent then wait til next time a republican president is in office
I am so pissed and the darn republican let us just call a spade a spade. This is far beyond the republicans and the democrats this is a black and white issue. They don't want a black man telling them what to do; and that is what it all boils down to. This is not new! Blacks and Latinos, and other minorities have dealt with things like this in the 30's 40's, 50's, and 60’s and beyond. You know it wasn’t to long ago that people like Tim Pawlenty were afraid for minorities to go to school with their children and eat with their children or even play with their children.
How exactly will the children be brainwashed? 90 percent of those children will not be eligible to vote during President Obama’s run.. so what is all the fuss about. Will minorities have to start fearing for their lives now that the republicans have re introduced HATE at an alarming rate in American?
Oh, non-minorities don’t fear to live in America it’s the minorities that have something to fear again because of people like Tim Pawlenty.
Where is CNN and other state-controlled media's coverage of the two biggest stories after healthcare: 1) House Ways & Means Chairman Rangels' blatant and deliberate tax evasion (which should lead to jail time); and 2) White House Czar Van Jones' shocking communist and racial statements (which should lead to his immediate removal)??? The silence in deafening!
Its official, republicans are crazy.
Crazy People!
Bush- We can not cut and run, we must win for 9/11. GOOD
Obama- We must leave now for 9/11. BAD
Bush- No child left behind law. GOOD
Obama- Read to children BAD
Bush give money to banks. GOOD
Obama give money to banks. BAD
Bush hide war money off the books. GOOD
Obama put war money on the books. BAD
What???
Pawlenty is the GREAT WHITE HOPE right now. Too bad the Republicans are using race to gain power. Too bad for the rest of us.
CNN's reporting on this is days late and frankly pathetic. The uproar was not so much about the planned speech (although an hour seems awfully long for a 5 year-old's attention span), but rather the post-speech "lesson plan" recommended by the Department of Education who interestingly broke protocol by skipping state and local administrators in sending the "lesson plan" directly to the NEA and AFT motivated school administrators. The "lesson plans" included having pre-K to 6th graders "write a letter to themselves about what they can do to help the president" and to have teachers "build background knowledge about the president of the United States by reading books about presidents and Barack Obama", etc. Sounds kind of Kim Jong Obama-ish.
so dumb.......
nothing here....move along children
People need to research the word "Socialism". Makes you look foolish throwing it at everything he does.
Oh, so its ok for both Bush's and Ronald Regan to do this? When I was in High School we had to wacth that moron Regan speak to us in school. The bottom line is this: The conservaties do not want a liberal black man speaking to their children period!
Pawlenty is typical of what we're continuing to see representing the Republican Party and it is a disgrace and disrespectful to our country and to our President.
If this were a Republican president, and this type of response was voiced by Democrats, they would be accused of being unpatriotic and a traitor to our government and country.
The far right of the Republican party has a deep hatred for the current administration and they are intent on seeing Obama fail.
Addressing school children on the importance of continuing their education is an admiral undertaking.
This disruptive and destructive behavior from Pawlenty and others, is unfortunate for our country and our children who will be our future.
Our President is trying to encourage children to stay in school and study hard. I would expect my President to do that. Obviously, Mr. Pawlenty has decided to take the low road to the nomination – he should rethink that – I amazes me that these guys are simply going to continue down the same path that got them where they are to begin with, out. I as an American, wife of a heroic soldier, daughter of an heroic soldier and mother of a heroic soldier I would like to see a little substance come from this bunch of morons. At the very least, Obama takes his committment to his word and to this country seriously. This is about AMERICA, not one stinking party or the other, hasn't the last year been enough of a wake up call? What ideas do you have Tim?
PAWLENTY SAYS: "It is time we stand up for our principles, and it is time we stand up for the American people."
What American People?????? Me? Is he speaking for ME?? I don't think so.
What PRINCIPLES – My principles?????? Is he speaking about MY Principles???
The REPUBS cannot speak about all of the AMERICANS because they do not represent ALL OF THE AMERICANS – Actually, they do not represent too many Americans, which is why we have the current out roar coming from them – Inciting Town Hall Meetings; carrying GUNS; threatening about Seceding from the Nation; PREACHING about killing President Obama – and getting away with it...
Naw, don't speak to me about PRINCIPLES and about being part of your AMERICAN PEOPLE!!!!
You conservatives need a new scarey word. "Socialist" is seriously last week.
Does it matter to NONE of you that officials of the American Socialist Party has gone ON RECORD saying Obama's policy are NOT socialism.
No, just keep spouting the same WRONG information in hopes of scaring your non-critical-thinking base.
You have no hope in the midterm elections if you keep up this crap. Remember at the least you need a fair portion of the Independent vote and this is not the way to get it. Those people DO think.
Can school choose not to turn on the TV, radio, or other communication devices? They have the right to choose whether they want to watch or listen to Obama, don’t they? Why the GPOs are afraid of his speech? People came to my door attempting to spread their religions. I have never been afraid to greet them with a smile, but I remain to be atheist.
@ Ren from Baltimore –
put down the crack pipe -
Just one more example of the spoiled little boy syndrome in Washington. The childish behavior and attitude of many of these Congressmen certainly doesn't give anyone confidence in their decisions which should be based on mature and thoughtful consideration of what is best for the American people and not what is best for their party. Although I am very unhappy with the Republicans in Washington, many of the Democrats should be ostracized also. Obama has been President for 9 months. What is it that these idiots think he could accomplish in that time, particularly with many of them opposing him on everything he tries to do. It took 8 years to get us into this condition and they – and many of the American people think it can be fixed overnight. Give me a break!
Socialistic doctrine, man you neo-cons still sound like a broken record, and none of you can define Socialism – here's a clue – it's NOT a type of government.
Instead of cpmplaining come up with answers.
Besides, Timmy isn't running for Governor again because he knows he can't win, with his numbers so low right now and he's losing ground daily, he really thinks he has a shot at running for President in 2012.
Conservatism doesn't work, it has no ideas that work, the last 8 1/2 years proved that.
Governor Pawlenty: The past Republican Presidents conducted the same sort of discussion and actually promoted their political views in the process. Where is you stance of supporting education and not crossing the line. So let me get this straight: two white Republican Presidents conduct a presentation to urge students to complete their education and openly discuss their political views and it's accepted without question.
A black President speaks to kids about the importance of education and going to college and it becomes a national tragedy! What is wrong with people! Two standards! That's what this world is coming to. And the people screaming, take to the streets should really be careful! There are some sleeping giants out there. Are you sure you want to awaken them. We're headed for the biggest racial clash since the civil rights act in the 60's. Not for any other reason than the blatant racist attitudes of people who continually shove crap down people's throats and expect only their side to matter. All this "I want my America back!" Code for: I can't stand the fact that we have a Black President. But ask yourself a question Pawlenty, do you really want to wake up that sleeping giant. Comments like these will!
Given this moron Pawlenty and the babbling idiot Rep. Bachmann up there, I'd say there are more reasons to stay away from Minnesota than its snowy cold winters.
As a resident of Minnesota, I am particularly outraged that Pawlenty has the audacity to question the right of the President of the United States to speak to school children!!! He's obviously forgotten (or never knew) that Reagan and the First Bush both spoke to children on the first day of school.
Pawlenty has left our state in shambles. He's obstructive and absolutely against any compromise or bi-partisan approach to issues confronting our state. We are all anxiously awaiting the end of his term. He is absoluttely unqualified to be president , to hold any other public office or to represent the public in any capacity.
A quick note to Darko. Appropriate name, I should say.
I am a recipient of government funds called "SOCIAL security" and also "Medicare." Two of the best government programs ever!
I hope in the name of all that is good that you will NEVER accept either of those programs! To do so makes you a hypocrite in the first degree.
You never even heard the word "socialist" until the right wingers brought it up–their latest buzz word....they don't even know what it means!
I see no reason why Republicans have an issue with this. This is our President people. The leader of our country. He is a smart man who would like to set an exemple to the nations children.
This issue, the health care issue, and the birthers have led me to question what is wrong with the people of our nation. Do we not want to be healthier as a nation? Do we not respect what our leaders have to say? Are people as crazy as they seem to be?
As for Pawlenty, I am from Minnesota and I am glad he is no longer going to be our Gov. He is just going against everything The White House says. If I had one thing to say to him it would be' Be part of the solution not the problem'. He is not original.
Good Luck America
Yep, asking children to stay in school and try to excel is truly a socialist agenda, isn't it?
Why is it that these republicans have to constantly open their mouth, are they all trying to follow Sarah. It would not be so bad if they had something important to say. Why dont you all go to Arizona and join the baptist minister down there. I bet there were children at that service when he preached his sermon.
Now the President of the United States can't talk to schoolchildren without being portrayed as some kind of evil genie. It's OK though for out-of-control celebrity types to exert their influence on our youth without challenge. President Obama is a living lesson to children of what you can become if you study and work hard in your life–despite humble beginnings. I don't think he plans to sign them up for the Democratic Party. I am also getting find up with the viscious and mean-spirited comments that are coming from both sides of the political spectrum. That sets a great example for our kids too! Freedom is what we are all about but let's try to be civil about it.
Where do they come up with this stuff??? If it wasnt so sad for us as country, it would be absolutely entertaining. The Republican party is out to discredit the President at any an all costs...
Its sad that the highest office in the land cant address kids about staying in school without creating calls of indoctrination. what a bunch of c*ap.
I dont remember hearing from these people when Reagan or Bush where speaking to school kids. Reagan even injected gun control politics into his speach. but since the wingnuts support that, its ok!
The people mad about the President daring to "indoctrinate" their children are the people who said nothing when Ronald Reagan talked favorably about tax cuts to schoolkids, when George Bush sat in a classroom on 9/11, and when they waged a campaign to put PRAYER in American schools. It's OK, then, to indoctrinate your children to almighty God, but not for them to hear a speech about hard work from the elected President of the United States. Conservatives have waged war on respect.
Darko – since when are "study hard and stay in school" socialist doctrines as you call them? Please take a dose of reality... You may hate Obama, but your comments are ridiculous and you should be ashamed of yourself.
"At a minimum it's disruptive, number two, it's uninvited and number three, if people would like to hear his message they can, on a voluntary basis, TURN OFF THEIR TV. I don't think he needs to force it upon the nation's school children,"
He would have gotten away with that just as well!
Just when u think republicans cant do anything more foolish, they do!!
Once again, Tim (all suit, no substance) Pawlenty weighs in on something he is clueless about. Minnesota must be doing cartwheels that this moron will not run for another term.
Tim is right about the republicans starting to stand up for Americans as they have done no such thing in the last 8 years. It is a sad day when Tim puts his political ambitions ahead of the country.
What part of "work hard and stay in school," is a socialist ideology?
It isn't socialist indoctrination in an hour long speech encouraging kids to get educated. He is trying to engage children to take an active role in the educational and political process. Giving speeches to the children of America is something every President HAS DONE, but somehow now, it is different.
You people really need to pace yourselves. No way you can keep up this level of PETTY for EIGHT years.
I didn't hear anything from the Right when Bush was reading "My Pet Goat" to school children as our country was BEING ATTACKED. Right wing hypocrocy at it's best, stop the nonsense.
This is the same CLOWN who backed the Bush Policies 100% of the time and He thinks we should listen to Him? I THINK NOT
CNN would you please remind these reps. that we have had TWO other President of the REPUBLICAN PARTY TALK to our children and NOT once did the Democrats use this type of TRICKS or mind GAMES.....
Same OLD tricks and scare that is known to come from the Republicans who have always USED this type of plans. Especially from those whom been in the Senate for years and until now feel they can use what ever Obama is trying to do for the American people to further their POLITIC agenda.
Is what they do REALLY for the people or for themselves......SHAME on them, their party and most of all the future of our Country.....
Claiming it's socialism is clear sign of ignorance. What's the world coming to if our own president (recently elected by getting more votes then Mr. Pawlenty's party you may recall) cannot address a group of children? This is simply Republicans playing politics by trying to portray Obama as playing politics. Yet another display hypocracy by the Republican party.
Pawlenty is making this just about politics. So what if the President speaks to school children. Our children should be exposed to all points of view and then we as parents can help them form their own opinions, constructively. I do agree that the Department of Education was in the wrong and no my child will not be writing a letter to the President to see what he could do to help the President. The President has enough help. But yes my child will be watching, as will I. All this from a life long Republican that did not and will never vote for Obama.
Obama demoralizes his base with huge compromises to get one republican vote while invigorating the opposition by being so weak. He is setting the democratic party up for a tsunami like lose in 2010 that will make 1994 look like a leaky faucet.
I normally like Pawlenty, but he's WAAAY off-base here.
This speech isn't going to be socialist indoctrination. It's not propaganda. It's a Presidential address to...school kids. He's not just the president of adults...or workers...he's the President of EVERYONE in the country.
The better question is-what harm comes from this? What's the problem with the most powerful man in the free world taking a few minutes to inspire school kids? He's not going to be pushing any agenda-just telling them to work hard. Is that bad?
Republicans are making themselves irrelavant! As to Pawlenty: Adjust your tin-foil hat!
I would hate for kids to be indoctrinated into the socialist beliefs of studying hard and staying in school. Isn't that something that the Chinese do?
Okay, I get it, you DON'T think your kids should stay in school. NO?
OKay, you DON'T want your kids to become educated, contributing members of society. NO? that's not it either. Okay, you really DON'T think your kids should do their homework. NO? You want your kids to drop out of school before they graduate. NO? You DON'T want your kids to be able to compete with the children in other countries, its just fine for them to flip burgers at McD's for the rest of their lives. Let the Chinese, Indian, European, South AMerican kids, ANY other kids do the real work. NO?, thats not it either? You really do want the best for your kids? Then What in the world is wrong with you!!! Why on earth would you not want the President of the United STates, the most powerful, wonderful nation in the world give them a pep talk that makes them feel like an important part of their own future! ARE YOU ALL NJUTS!!!!!
Quote:
The Democratic National Committee called the comments 'outrageous.'
Anything anyone says against Obama is always considered as such. Unfortunately the criticism leveled against Bush was fair game because Democrats did it, BUT...no one is allowed to be the least negative about Obama ever. I wonder how long it will be before the first cry of racism is uttered?
Ronald Reagan talked to school kids and mentioned gun policy. That wasn't political? George H.W. Bush talked to kids right before the 1992 election. That wasn't political? George W. Bush also spoke to kids, but I guess that was a proper use of time and money?
According to these Republicans and right wingnuts, every time Obama opens his mouth about anything, it must be wrong. They start screaming "socialism!"
It's our constitutional duty to respect the office of the president, even if we didn't vote for him or we don't support him. Yes, it's perfectly acceptable to ask kids to support their country - and the president. "Helping the country" and "helping the president" means doing things for your country, not supporting a political agenda. Republicans have used this kind of language forever. I don't recall anybody objecting then.
We need MORE people encouraging kids to get involved and do better in school.
My kids did this letter-writing kind of thing in school in multiple grades, and they always enjoyed reading those letters later.
The lies from the right wing are going so far over the top, it's sickening. And too many Americans choose to believe a stupid viral e-mail instead of finding out what's actually true. And CNN and the rest of the media just parrot whatever Republicans say without any context.
I really don't know how Republicans can sleep at night with all of the lies they're telling.
I am thrilled that President Obama is taking it upon himself to talk to the nations younger generation. I am stick and tired of "stuck in their ways" baby boomers telling the younger generation what to do, how to think, and what to watch. I think it is awesome that President Obama is talking to the nations youth in the classroom. He wouldn't have to make this speech to those who are in school if parents would step up and take initiative to make sure their kids stay in school. The younger generation got the president elected...now its times for the old farts, racists, and "do nothing" republicans to shut up and ship out! This is our country now!
Have any of these paranoid nut cases, so afraid of our President's alleged "socialist agenda," actually READ the speech that our President is going to give yet?
Or are they just ASSUMING, as always, that our President is going to use this opportunity to push his alleged, "far left-wing socialist agenda" down our students throats?
You people do know how to spell ASS-U-ME don't you?
The speech is going to be made available online Monday. Why don't we all read the speech first, BEFORE jumping to any conclusions.
Or...are we far more interested in spreading PROPAGANDA, then we are at finding out the truth?
The lessons plans are well written and appropriate. The children are being given an opportunity to hear a speech directed at them by the President. My understanding is the President is not "injecting" his doctrine, he is encouraging the children to excell in school.
I think some adults need a dictionary so they can look up "socialist." On the plus side, their drama classes are paying off.
I would not say that by inquiring about the intent of the letters as being in relation to a "mailing list" would be deemed as mockery, given that the White House has already proven that they can not manage their correspondence via email properlly. I am a life long democrat and was a faithful CNN supporter and advocate untiil recently. I thought that I would go back to your site today just to check the stories – and I see one titled "Republican Mocks..." – and I have to tell you that I will not be back to CNN for my news until you report things without bias.
I would hate to have my precious angels hear that they should stay in school and study hard, that's practically telling them to be Chinese!
Barack Obama is the PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. He deserves our respect. This is also our kid's President. I am appauled at the amount of disrespect coming from Mr. Pawlenty.
How about this GOP...instead of "standing up against Obama," how about you choose another tactic and try working with him. Who knows, it may actually be beneficial politically to be the first set of leaders to get something done in awhile. The american people are tired of washington not because of policy, but because NOTHING seems to get done. Instead of acting like children, be an example for them. Show them that people with differing opinions, ideas, and backgrounds can actually work TOGETHER.
Pawlenty and his cohorts are showing p-lenty of ignorance in this criticism as they do with most criticisms of the president. President Obama is not doing anything that has not been done before in speaking to the nation's school children. We are constantly hearing about role models in the form of celebrities such as actors, actresses and athletes and now Pawlenty wants to make us believe that it is a crime for children to receive a message from the world's biggest role model (and he is whether you like him or not, agree with him or not.)? This is one of the most shameful acts of disgrace towards a sitting president that I have ever witnessed. The madness and ignorance must stop.
I wish people like this could listen to there own self-centered words, the GOP has certainly become the party that hates America or have they forgotten about free speech. Speak your mind, but please don't tell me what to do, that message is for the GOP. The GOP has become a bitter loser and are losing any direction they had, how about doing something for America for change and help this country.
how stupid can some people be
this guy doesn't know what he is talking about. Obama should give his speech to kids. There is no problem there. If a parent has a problem with it, then they are the problem, not the children period!
Republicans make me sad. I don't think I could live my life being so hateful to people who didn't think (or look) the same way I did.
Pawkenty? You are a right-wing idiot.. Go screw yourself, pinhead.
Ok can the grown people grow up. i do not see anything wrong with President Obama giving a speech to the students. i am a 37 yr old african american from the inner city of chicago. When i was around 8 i remember we had an assingment in class was to write to our president. At that time our president was Ronald Reagan. I was so happy i wrote to the president. I had no idea what democrat or republican meant hell i did not know the real meaning of black and white however i received a picture with the autograph of President Reagan. As a proud democrat today i am proud to say i had an autograph picture from President Reagan. The pettiness needs to stop.
libs, keep your president's policies out of my children's brain. we do not serve the president, he serves us.
Republicans might not know this, but politicians from time to time will encourage children to be interested in their government and participate in public service. If politicians cannot tell children that they should be interested in public service, because it is not possible for a politician to say or do anything without political motives, then perhaps they should tell children to avoid the career that they themselves have chosen.
This is a perfect example of the stupidity that we try to teach out children against. This is also a perfect example to anyone who had blinders on, that shows their discontent with the fact that a Black Man is running this country that they think is theirs. For their children to be exposed to the President who they have bad-mouthed in the privacy of thier home, is their greatest fear. At the present time, their children don't know President Obama because they probably turn the channel. Now they can't control the remote control at their children's school and it is driving them crazy. Growing up I was taught that an empty wagon makes the most noise.
Darko-More Like Wacko. It is just a speech. There is no injecting of doctrine hear. Relax , crazy person Wacko! Go watch the entertainment magazine channel – FOXNEWS!!!
This is just getting ridiculous. I have never seen such hatred and paranoia towards a president in my life. It boils down to two things. The Becks of the world manipulating weak minded conservatives and being parroted by the leaders of the party, which is disgusting in it self. #2, flat out racism. The right has always had a huge problem when a Democrat was in the White House, but it's a black Democrat. They're keeping their base happy, but to the rest of us, the normal people, they look terrible. This is truly a sad time in this country.
Reagan gave a speech to the students and all he talked about was lower taxes!! Republicans are so under educated. They dont want smarter kids because all to educated ones go progressive because they figure out how stupid and corrupt the rethuglicans are. We need to get rid of the replucan party completely. they are holding this country back. Let Texas suscede from the union and all republicans can move there and be stupid together!
I'm totally baffled ,l what harm is it to push to have kids do better in our schools, if a lot of haven't notice lately but our kids are lagging far behind other kids in the world on education , that's because you Americans are a very spoiled , racist bunch of hypocrits , you never want to be told the truth , If someone's encouraging kids to do better , then what is the problem, what I see with a lot of Americans is that they want to be lied to , and they tend to believe anything that's shoved down their throats , no wonder America is so weak , because a lot of you can't get past the skin color or hate , that you rather see your own country fail ,wow how stupid a; lot of you are including the media CNN,FOX , when your country is over thrown by a foriegn nation , don't sit there and ask yourselves how did this happen ? it's because of American greed and hate for anything that's not white or conservative eventually a lot of you will have to pay the piper , because truth be told , that the chickens are coming home to roost .
These Republicans are becoming increasingly pathetic. Alexander Lamar talks of revolution, Texas governor talks about seccesion, a congress woman talks about " great white hope". When is this going to end.? The same party that claims to love America more than everyone else could be this extreme is simply amazing. These divisive, extreme views are words I will expect from KKK members not from well educated public servants. Suddenly, it seems we are two nations under one God. These comments are troubling and I hope Americans reject them totally.
These are elected LEADERS???? The republican party reminds me of a spoiled child that got away with murder and cries fowl once he's been caught. Have these ADULTS have no shame!!!???
Pawlenty is the govenor that allowed a major interstate highway bridge to collapse killing and injuring almost 150 people rather than pay the cost of needed repairs. He also reduced the budget for the state department responsible to holding sex offenders allowing them to be released with little or no supervision so that one could kidnap and murder a young woman from ND. Pawlenty is the new holder of the Minnesota title of Governor Goofy.
YEA I guess we wouldn't want him to do what Bush did when he visited the class room. Where were all these people then??? What's good for the geese is clearly NOT GOOD for the gander......Give me a break
No matter what you do, you will not keep the students from hearing what the President of the United States has to say. We couldn't stop the Imperial Chimp from doing it, and you won't stop the Elected President from speaking. The kids will find out that what you so ardently disagree with is "stand on your own feet," "take responsibility," and "make high grades," and they will wonder if you are dishonest or just easily fooled.
What, pray tell, is so VERY wrong about encouraging children to stay in school and study?
It truly boggles the mind. With that kind of attitude no wonder there are so may ignorant people out there ... and this Governer happens to be one of them, it seems.
You have got to be kidding me! Are the Republicans who are so against the President talking to school children, regarding the importance of an education, afraid their uneducated core will actually learn something and become educated? OMG, then they may be able to see the Republican Party for the monsters that they are becoming and see the hate they spew for what it really is! Playing on fear and ingorance has been their game for quite a while now.
I believe the more educated people we have in this country, the better our country will be. How can any one be opposed to telling children that education is important and they should do their best when in school? I am so repulsed by all the blatant B#$%S*&^ coming from the right. Is there nothing you Repubs' will not attack? Since you can't seem to get under Obama's skin, you've obviously decided to go after his audiences – and children of all things. . . There is no debate here! Education is important and children should do their best. Was that so hard to hear? Is this not what you would (or should) be telling your own children?
Guys, give it up! If it wasn't for the hateful tone of your messages, you would be almost comical.
Where are all these HATTERS coming from..From the right of course..I have never in my life seen such whinning about everything little move Pres Obama makes.. Where was all outspoken objection when prev President's such as Clinton, Reagan , and both Bush's did the exact same thing ? By the way did they happen to catch the speech the last Busch gave to scool kids..Now that speech may have been alittle over the top..But these people, instead of telling the truth regarding what their real objections are, they are like ine past with regards to racism hiding behind a smoke screen..Don't worry, those of us who know the real deal, know what this is really allo about..Don;t we ??? You got it !!!!!
One would think the Republicans would want to spend their understanding how they got so out of touch with reality that they lost the White House and Congress. I guess it' takes less thought to get hysterical about such a non-issue as a president giving a work-hard-stay-in-school pep talk to kids. These people just continue to make themselves public laughing stocks!
What in the world are we coming to now? The Republicans are only out for political gain and I think it is so sad.
They are race baiting poor, uneducated white people to try to hurt the president. I would like to ask poor white people this question: WHAT HAVE THE REPUBLICANS EVER DONE FOR YOU?
I am from Kentucky but I live in Pennsylvania now. My family voted Republican before I was born but not now. Fortunately, my dad and his brothers sat down and looked at who had really done anything for them and they started voting for the Democrats.
People, stop acting crazy. Give the president a chance. I am a white male, 38 years old, and I am proud to say I voted for Obama. I wish him all the luck in the world because he is going to need it since the Republicans are trying to destroy him.
Pity our poor country. We seem to be on the verge of a civil war. This is going to come back and bite the regular Republicans in the butt. Just watch and see.
Question for the bizzaro-worlders out there: how much hate and fear can the GOP pump into their constiuents before violence occurs? If and when this violence happens, who will ultimately be to blame? Will you all be able to live with yourselves if some dittohead shoots up a school to prevent 'socialist indoctrination'?
These people are hateful. Even if I do not agree with everything Obama says or does, I do NOT think he's going to "inject his political agenda" into a speech to kids. And if people have a problem with him calling children to serve their country, to be kind to their fellow students, to stay in school and work hard – well that's their problem. Morons. Republicans = the party of no.
Apparently the GOP and its followers have forgotten what real leadership looks like.
They didn't seem to object when repub presidents did the very same thing. Honestly people need to get a grip on reality.
Hey Pawlenty, if this is the beginning of your campaign for president, you might as well give it up now. Republicans are running scared at the thought of all minorities realizing their true potential. The amount of bigotry and racism that still exists in this country is unbelievable.
By the way, Gov. Pawlenty... what was Bush doing on 11 September 2001?
I was at a tea party where a woman who identified herself as a conservative republican screeched about how colleges were brainwashing our kids and that the books should be burned.
We have repeatedly watched the republicans cut spending for education and now their upset the President wants to address our students and talk about personal responbility, staying in school, getting an education and service to our country.
I'm beginning to think they're just afraid of people who are educated.
Some people mentioned racist tone of the GOP's comments. NOT TRUE. Obama is racist, look at the supreme court nominee and REALLY LOOK AT THE Green Czar as that Green Czar was given a job by Obama, and that Green Czar says he "hates white people" and thats a quote. Obama wants reparations for slavery as seen in 2006 news story. They show him saying that. How more racist can people?
Boy, could CNN be any more one-sided? Your so-called "reporters" love to make Republicans look bad... where's the story on Van Jones, Obama's green czar? Jones is a self-proclaimed communist and radical who not only ACTIVELY participated in violent Rodney King riots but is also 9/11 truther. But I guess it's no big deal that this man has a direct line to the president, huh?
You guys are turning into the Huffington Post more and more everyday.
Fear seems to be the only thing the GOP party has to offer and fear seems to be only thing that drives them down these roads they take with no good ending. Fear keeps you in your place, remember that the next you hear a GOP squawking. The GOP fears fear itself and there goal is to make you fear it too!
I am proud to have our president speak to our children and encourage them to be successful in school. Those of you that are pulling your child out of school are really playing to the GOP and their sick games to destroy the president. Your being very foolish to listen to any of them
Republicans criticize just to criticize. The subject is unimportant. If the President says or does it, it is wrong. Children in school are required to do things they don't want to do all the time. Tthose who don't want to listen and pay attention will do what they always do. What else is new? What a non-story hyped by the press who, it appears, has a great deal of difficulty figuring out what is or is not important.
Please stop the Madness Republicians! You are looking desparate, sad, and more than a little crazy. I believe you did not raise this same type of criticism when Reagon or the first President Bush, also addressed students directly.
Pawlenty, I considered voting for you if you ever ran for President. Sir, you just lost my vote.
"It is time we stand up to President Obama" Pawlenty said to members of the Republican Committee last month. "It is time we stand up for our principles and it is time we stand up for the American people".
Oh really? We have one of the highest dropout rate of any industrialized nation and the president is using his bully pulpit to address this serious issue and all the Republicans can do is scream and holler. Typical Republican response. Keep in mind, Presidents Reagan and Bush did the same thing that President Obama is trying to do. What is so wrong with this?
At some point, President Obama is going to have to face facts. The Republicans will NEVER like anything he does and will try to derail him with any and every argument at their disposal. We have experienced 8 years of when they ran things and quite frankly, that was more than enough for me. I not saying that I in total lockstep agreement with everything that President Obama says or does but at least the man is trying to help the AMERICAN people instead of the rich people and the corporations the Republicans seem to cater to.
It is going to take more than several months for President Obama to unscrew the mess that the Bush Administration left us and let face it, he left a big mess for President Obama to clean up. All the Republicans and their ilk want to do is scream and rant and rave about what President Obama is doing. Where are their ideas? What is their platform for getting this country back on its feet? I don't see or here any ideas from the Republican Party, but I do hear plenty of noise and nonsense from them. Even Milt Romney thinks it is a good idea, so what exactly is Governer Pawlenty"s problem?
If anything, Governer Pawlenty should be helping President Obama lead the charge on this issue instead on being totally against it. As President Obama has stated, our country's future is at stake if we cannot prepare a more skilled and educated workforce.
This is very sad! Our President should be respected and a model to follow. President Obama knows that children need to hear from adults what, and how to achieve a worthwhile future. Without the children reaching for success through education this country will continue to fall and fail.
The members of the Republican Party are absolutely nuts! What has happened to these people?
Wow! Criticism of the president addressing school children?! if i am not mistaken the former administration lied about torture (which is illegal), then admitted it. by all accounts this administration is trying its hardest not to release graphic and sadistic photos of these acts during the previous administration. Debate about federal criminal investigations and healthcare rage on, and now Republicans are upset about the President speaking to school children?! Is that even newsworthy?
Where is Mr. Obama's address to educators to tell them to try harder, do better, keep students engaged? They are the problem, not the kids. There are two sides to this coin. Mr. Obama picked the "you kids suck and need to do better" message, rather than "Educators suck and need to do better." As a parent, I'm fine with Mr. Obama spanking the teachers in front of the kids; not vice-versa. I think the administration underestimated the hostility most parents have towards the school system.