School speech avoids political message

President Barack Obama’s message to the nation’s schoolchildren Tuesday lacks
the controversial attempts at indoctrination that some Republicans
charged Obama would push on America’s youth.

Instead the address, made available on the White House’s website Monday afternoon, challenges students to establish and meet educational goals this school year for the good of themselves and the country.

{mosads}Republicans around the country reacted furiously last week when the White House announced the president’s address, accusing Obama of wanting to push a liberal, political agenda on schoolchildren.

Senior administration officials, including Education Secretary Arne Duncan, called the outrage “silly,” but many school districts announced they would not show the address or would offer an alternative for students wishing to opt out.

In his remarks, the president will say that he is pushing teachers and parents to take responsibility for their children. But Obama says the ultimate responsibility for a student’s education rests with the student.

“At the end of the day, we can have the most dedicated teachers, the most supportive parents and the best schools in the world — and none of it will matter unless all of you fulfill your responsibilities,” Obama says. “Unless you show up to those schools; pay attention to those teachers; listen to your parents, grandparents and other adults; and put in the hard work it takes to succeed.”

The remarks swing from words of encouragement to what reads like the scolding a parent might deliver.

The president at one point tells the students that “every single one of you has something you’re good at.”

Moments later, he warns that if they drop out of school, “You’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country.”

Obama also squeezes in a warning ahead of anticipated further outbreak of the H1N1 virus, also known as swine flu, saying he hopes students will “all wash your hands a lot, and stay home from school when you don’t feel well, so we can keep people from getting the flu this fall and winter.”

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the address is the president’s acknowledgment, though implicit, that he dabbled in drug and alcohol use as a student.

Obama concedes that he had his troubles as a kid, and notes that he “wasn’t always as focused as I should have been.”

“I did some things I’m not proud of, and got in more trouble than I should have,” Obama says. “And my life could have easily taken a turn for the worse.”

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, talking to reporters aboard Air Force One Monday, blasted critics of the president’s speech who “would rather start an ‘Animal House’ food fight rather than inspire kids to stay in school, to work hard, to engage parents to stay involved and to ensure that the millions of teachers that are making great sacrifices continue to be the best in the world.”

“I think it’s a sad, sad day that the political back and forth has intruded on anyone speaking to schoolchildren and teachers and parents about the responsibilities that they have as we enter a new school year,” Gibbs said. “If one kid in one school hears one message and goes from being a D student to a C student, then the speech is worth it.  If one kid decides not to drop out of school, then the speech is worth it.”

The president is set to deliver the remarks Tuesday from Arlington, Va.