Friday, May 4, 2012
Remarks as released by the White House.
- GOVERNMENT
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Friday, May 4, 2012
THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Generals! (Applause.) Hello, Virginia! (Applause.) Well, let me first of all say, following Amirah is kind of tough. (Laughter.) She is really good. Give her a big round of applause for the great introduction. (Applause.) There are a couple of other people I want to introduce who are here today. First of all, my Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, is here. Give him a round of applause. (Applause.) Your Congressman, Jim Moran, is here. (Applause.) And before we came out, I had a chance to meet with Amirah and her mom, but also a couple other of your classmates. Brendan Craig is here, and his dad. (Applause.) And also Rina Castaneda and her mom. (Applause.) Let me just say, they represented you …
Juniors, seniors each allowed to bring one parent.
President Barack Obama spoke to Washington-Lee High School juniors and seniors on Friday. Obama received a rock star's welcome from the crowd of more than 1,000. The speech he delivered was designed to put pressure on Congress to extend interest rate cuts to student loans past July 1, at which point they are set to expire.
Students, adults enamored with president's visit to Washington-Lee High School on Friday.
President Barack Obama's visit to Washington-Lee High School on Friday at times seemed more like a pep rally — or, at least, a campaign visit — rather than official White House business. Students pushed forward and cheered as if they were awaiting a rock star to take the stage any time someone would check the mic or there was a hint of activity just out of sight. About a half-dozen protesters stood outside before, during and after the president's speech. A woman posted at the school's main entrance pointed reporters to them for the "Republican response." One held a sign that stated, "Where is the recovery, Mr. President?" Inside, the students cheered at every applause line — and a few that weren't meant to be — and laughed when Obama …
The president spoke Friday before more than 1,000 students, parents, teachers and area officials.
President Barack Obama seemed to strike all the right notes Friday at Washington-Lee High School when he delivered a speech designed to put pressure on Congress to keep student loan interest rates down. The president spoke before an enthusiastic crowd of more than 1,000 junior and senior high school students, parents, faculty and local elected officials. Nearly 94 percent of Washington-Lee students go on to some sort of higher education upon graduation. Obama spoke briefly about the economy in general before specifically talking about college affordability. On July 1, a student loan interest rate cut will expire — effectively doubling rates overnight — unless Congress acts, Obama said. He was answered with resounding "boos." "That's like a…
JamesOnThePotomac
10:35 pm on Monday, May 7, 2012
What a nutter! more ›