President issues get out of class pass to 10-year-old
GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (CNN) - How do you get away with skipping classes on your last day of school?
Make sure you get your hands on a presidential pardon.
President Barack Obama held a town hall meeting on Thursday in Green Bay, Wisconsin to discuss his health care agenda - but he also took a little time to write an all-important "get out of school" note.
A young girl named Kennedy attended the town hall with her father, who was called on to ask a question.
Her father, John Corpus, started his query saying he hoped his daughter wouldn't get into trouble for missing the last day of school.
"Do you need me to write a note?" Obama asked.
Clearly assuming that Obama was just kidding, Corpus continued with his question - only to be interrupted by the president.
"No, no, I'm serious. What's your daughter's name?" Obama said, as he started to write a note. "I'm going to write to Kennedy's teacher."
He then walked over to the girl and handed her the note: "To Kennedy’s Teacher, Please excuse Kennedy’s absence…she’s with me. Barack Obama"
No word yet on whether the president's get out of school free card did the trick.
Very Cute; this is nice because it shows that this president wants to identify with everyone in the country. the fact is that the father probably thought it would be very exciting for his girl to see the president. it is also the last day of school so I don't see the harm, besides the extraordinary value the note posesses. if President Bush had done the same (which I believe he did) I would feel the same way... this is a good positive story...
Thank you Mr President for taking time to teach a young girl that she is important!!! One missed day of school will never have the impact that you taking time for her one on one will do.
To all of you complaining about "oh no missing a day of school", you should learn by example and realize that not all of life lessons are taught in the classroom.
How great. Thats really good, hope the teacher will like it too, I would.
Those on the right – grow up. We know you hate OUR President and could care less what you think about this story or whether you think it's 'news' or not (btw – anything the President does is news). If it makes you feel all better to whine on these blogs, go for it – but just so you know, you're not 'converting' any of us.
Brandon: You can't be serious.
Think of it as a Presidential Pardon., =)
Kennedy, keep that note forever and you can someday look back. Thanks.
Notting but class!! I love him!!!! Please lets all be one people and get behind our president and pray for change in this world please!!!
I can't belive the people on here saying the girl should have stayed in school and blah blah blah, come one people its people like you that turn out to be the shooter at the museum. I wonder how many parents take their kids out of school on their last day just because, or to go on a vacation. Now here is a father that wanted his daughter to get a chance to see the President in person and all you GOPers can do is critizise, you GOPer must have a poor outlook on live.
Nice Obama. Encouraging kids to cut class. What an idiot.
Her parents named her "Kennedy"? I wonder which way they lean politically... Hmmm...
I can't believe you folks are actually bashing the girl's Dad for having her out of school! Like Obama or not, he's our President and any opportunity for ANYONE to see a sitting President speak in person is a privilege and probably a once in a lifetime chance. Kudos to the Dad for bringing it up in such a non-chalant way, and a HUGE FIST BUMP to Obama for showing his personality, sense of humor, and humility in such a sweet way to this little girl.
Note the hateful bashing by Repubs here already....
Shame on you, "Obama Victim" in light of what happened yesterday....
Sad that this country has come to this.....
I am a democrat, but we took our kids to see the President. Young children may not understand all the issues, but they understand what the president is, and seeing him inspired questions.I am glad the father took the girl to see Obama and I am glad that Mr. President graced her with some wit, humor and charm... it will change her forever on some level.
I'm not a Dem, but I love it.
Awww, c'mon! Some of you are just haters looking for an excuse to diss Obama.
Parents take their kids out of school for stuff sometimes, and it is their right to do so. I would take my kid out of school for a chance to see the President close up. Now this girl is going to have a great story to tell for the rest of her life, which is exactly why her father brought her along (though he probably didn't know how good of a story it would be!)
As for Obama writing the note – OMG, people, are you seriously saying he thinks he's god because of this? If you're the President and you know you have the power to take two seconds to do something funny like this, blow a few people's minds, and make a kid's day, why wouldn't you?
Truely a caring, honest father figure....she will remember that moment for the rest of her life!!!
I am sure that teacher will treasure that note.
Enough June 11th, 2009 2:50 pm ET
She should have stayed in school, she's too young to understand any of this or the impact. That age through 25 they think everything is free and provided by someone else.
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Maybe, but it's a once in a lifetime memory for her.
To Michael, Shirley, Enough, and the others who are going out of their way to turn this into something negative–get over yourselves already!
He took his daughter to see a man who made history by becoming the 1st black President of the United States, something I would do with my kids in a heartbeat the next time he's in Iowa. And President Obama showed the side of himself who is warm and wonderful with kids.
It's called a human interest story and, yes, it is news.
How bitter do you have to be to spew forth something negative about Obama for this particular article?
Apparently real, real, real bitter....and a wee bit whiny and sour grapish.
What? A president that can actually communicate on a personal level with common Americans!!!
Must be some kinda communist plot.
My wife and I are republicans, but this time we voted for B. Obama. 🙂 Neighbours didn't like it. Funny. lol.
This is great, what a President...he is a real down home person. Keep up the good work Mr. President.
Darn it Obama I am very disappointed that you are endorsing students ditching class!!! You are a naughty president! LOL I think that it was pretty cool. Michael Hsu.. it was her last day of class and it was the leader of the free world.. get over yourself!