The Associated Press reported tonight that Barack and Michelle Obama will send their daughters to a private school:
President-elect Barack Obama and his wife have chosen Sidwell Friends School for their two daughters, opting for a private institution that another White House child, Chelsea Clinton, attended a decade ago."A number of great schools were considered," said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, a spokeswoman for Michelle Obama. "In the end, the Obamas selected the school that was the best fit for what their daughters need right now."
The AP further noted:
Michelle Obama went to public schools on Chicago's South Side, and understands the importance of strong public schools, Lelyveld said, and the administration plans to work hard on that issue.
There had been speculation that Barack Obama, who has long championed public education while opposing vouchers allowing for parental choice, might send his children to public schools. As the Washington Post noted, the Obamas' decision was announced late in the afternoon. This is a political tactic often used to disclose awkward information.
How do I know this? Because the Associated Press told us that just last month. When Sarah Palin and her husband released their tax returns on October 3, the AP reported:
The McCain-Palin campaign had said the tax returns would be released Monday, but it suddenly put them out Friday afternoon—a time long used by government to reveal embarrassing news because few people watch TV or read newspapers Friday evening and Saturday.
The Associated Press didn't mention that strategy in its account of the Obama decision. No doubt it was just an oversight. There's just so much hope and change emanating from Washington these days that it's tough to keep up with it all.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
Another Democratic family
November 22, 2008 - 01:16 ET by rbosqueAnother Democratic family opting to send their kids to private school. While the people who supported them send their kids to failing gov't schools. A case of "do as I say not as I do".
Hypocrates.
Deciding factor
November 22, 2008 - 01:31 ET by Michael M. BatesPerhaps the school was selected because the Clintons sent their child there. Everyday, it looks more and more like Clinton's third term.
Yep. And we can continue to
November 22, 2008 - 10:08 ET by BDYep. And we can continue to say that Obama is unqualified to speak on the subject of vouchers since he did not "Walk the Walk" but just "Talks the Talk."
Stupid in America
November 23, 2008 - 10:23 ET by PopularTechStupid in America (Video) (40min) (John Stossel, 20/20)
Send this to everyone who wants to justify our current public education system.
The hypocrisy of where rich liberals send their kids never surprises me but the average person is clueless about this.
Censored Global Warming Videos
Street kid
November 22, 2008 - 01:27 ET by iveseenitallMichelle went to public schools on Chicago's South Side, the AP reports. What it doesn't report is that Michelle has a huge chip on her shoulder against "whitey". No doubt her public school "education" had alot to do with it. Moreover, her sending her kids to a "private" school, as did the Clintons, is simply a demonstration of "liberal" hypocrisy. But as George and Weezy would say, "We're movin' on up, to the East Side....").
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
How's that for "Change"?
November 22, 2008 - 01:28 ET by CrashNow the private schools tuition is gonna go up to pay for metal detectors; whereas the public school already has them.
Michelle Obama went to
November 22, 2008 - 01:48 ET by bigtimerMichelle Obama went to public schools on Chicago's South Side, and understands the importance of strong public schools, Lelyveld said, and the administration plans to work hard on that issue.
The typical leftist for the NEA and their support....no vouchers, no choice for the rest of you mindless lemmings...do as I say...but heck, "Michelle Remembers" coming out in hard-back at an Amazon Store list near you for the Easter collections...
In the mean time back at the WH O is working hard on the issue.
Trust him, as you all will, vote 'D' again, stay uneducated, just the way they want you, room temp., lemmings always are, decade after decade.
Past sad what has happened in this country in my lifetime/
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
How long
November 22, 2008 - 01:53 ET by ToddonCapeCodHow long until their school is renamed after their father, a la, Long Island?
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jiOvEhrMtixXjrBEshNB3EzurROwD94JEU0O6
School daze
November 22, 2008 - 01:57 ET by Michael M. BatesIn Chicago, they'll probably just name ALL the public schools after BO, with a numeric designation after. The problem is many teachers' union members get confused once they hit double digits.
Working hard, BT
November 22, 2008 - 01:54 ET by Michael M. BatesWell, as long as he's working hard on public education, it proves his commitment. In LibWorld, it's what you intend that matters, not what you accomplish.
A private, Quaker school?
November 22, 2008 - 02:02 ET by riff_raffWhat about the liberal's sacred mantra of "separation of church and state"? Isn't this both a de-facto condemnation of the public school system and at the same time an endorsement of what liberals would usually condemn as a lunatic, fringe, Christian religious cult (ie. Quakers). Remember what the MSM said about Romney's Mormonism during the primaries?
An endorsement by this country's chief executive officer, essentially saying he trusts a minority fringe religion more than the public school system, with something as important as his two children's education? This makes all of the public school teachers that blindly supported his campaign look like nothing more than a bunch of CHUMPS.
To paraphrase the good Rev. Wright, "Obama did the school teachers just like Bill Clinton did Monica Lewinsky!"
Chumps
November 22, 2008 - 02:05 ET by Michael M. BatesThis makes all of the public school teachers that blindly supported his campaign look like nothing more than a bunch of CHUMPS.
There's a good reason for that. . .
Man, that's going to take a bite out of his salary.
November 22, 2008 - 02:10 ET by Mike BrattonTwo kids at SFS is going to run, after all the fees, over $60,000 a year. Yeah, Obama's going to be pulling down $400,000 a year, but after that school bill, that's roughly $28,333 a month--or $6,500 a week.
Yeah, you sacrifice when education is a priority, and especially when you have to relocate to a town where the schools aren't so good. Barack and Michelle, it may be beans and rice, rice and beans for awhile, but you hang in there...
Oh, wait. What was I thinking?
--Mike
www.thebrattonreport...
Mike.... ROFLMAO! Good
November 22, 2008 - 02:16 ET by bigtimerMike....
ROFLMAO!
Good one...livened me up there...hehehee...
Thanks...I needed that.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Biting
November 22, 2008 - 02:17 ET by Michael M. BatesThank heaven the Obamas finally paid off their student loans. Otherwise, it would really be rough on 'em now.
You have got to quit
November 22, 2008 - 02:31 ET by bigtimerYou have got to quit Mike...I am cracking up laughing here...I am not joking either....
You are on some roll...
Speaking of rolls...O's debts were bought off long ago...he's paying for them now...like a good Empty-Suited Soros/Chigaco Machine...and just think, we now get to hear long after we go to our maker all the places/destinations/ect named after Obama..Martin Luther King has been replaced, so has the Kennedy name ect ect..on and on it goes....I thought it was bad long before with all the constant documentaries to this day...we ain't seen nothing yet, I turned it to some channel and they already were showing his bio...he isn't even President yet...this was a channel like History or some such, not the typical msnbc/CNN nightly tripe.
For me this is almost unbelievable, but it was like I asked Noel long ago...have you ever seen anything like this? We were debating about McC back then I think it was, and the lemmings at the tent- revival meetings going bonkers like the good little sheeple they are... guided by the msm minute by minute.
I knew then it was bad news...oh well.
"America isn't the problem...America is the solution." ~ Rush Limbaugh
Good point, BT.
November 22, 2008 - 02:40 ET by Mike BrattonWe're not dealing with a standard political movement, but with a cult.
There's a difference.
--Mike
www.thebrattonreport...
Mean streets of Obama, BT
November 22, 2008 - 12:55 ET by Michael M. BatesI think it was Chris Rock who advised anyone finding himself on a street named for Martin Luther King to run. The same will be true for anyone finding himself on a street named after his messiahship.
Possible telephone prank
November 22, 2008 - 04:10 ET by stratmanPossible telephone prank call to Obama:
Prankin' Barry
November 22, 2008 - 12:58 ET by Michael M. BatesSome fun, but you'd just better hope MaBelle doesn't answer when you try calling B. Hussein. She wears the pants in that family.
MMB -- is it any wonder the
November 22, 2008 - 07:49 ET by Jack BauerMMB -- is it any wonder the Obamas had so many "student" loans.
Did you know that between them they racked up FIFTEEN (15) STUDENT years in education AFTER High School?
Why do you think a man soon reaching 50, and his first wife, 45 in January, have two kids under 10?
Their lives are at least a DECADE behind most Americans their age.
I didn't realize I was such a late bloomer!
November 22, 2008 - 10:45 ET by Mike BrattonI'm 45 (46 on Monday).
My lovely bride is in her late thirties.
Our two children are 10 and under.
No student loans, though. But am I really that far behind the curve?
--Mike
www.thebrattonreport...
Similarly, I am 45. My
November 22, 2008 - 11:21 ET by BDSimilarly, I am 45.
My daughter just turned five.
I never had to take out a student loan, gaining my education the hard way....
BD and Mike
November 22, 2008 - 13:23 ET by Jack BauerBD and Mike
I hope you didn't take me to be denigrating older parents, such as yourselves.
I was just thinking that while the Obamas are bitching about their paying for their decision to almost quadruple the normal collge education length into their 30s... ordinary folks were getting on with their lives, marrying in their twenties, having kids.
Fine young men and women (in their 20s) are serving Iraq. married with young children.
By the the time they are the age of the Obamas now, their children may already be serving in the military.
Jack: No offense. I
November 22, 2008 - 15:16 ET by BDJack:
No offense. I completed my BA at 22 and joined the army and have been continuously "educated" ever since.
Didn't get a life stable enough to have kids until recently.
No, no offense, Jack.
November 22, 2008 - 20:27 ET by Mike BrattonIn some areas I developed early, and in some areas I was a late bloomer. Upon consideration, 35 is a little later than the average to be a first-time father.
Hey, it was all in God's good timing--no offense taken, and I know there was none offered. As the young people say, it's all good.
--Mike
www.thebrattonreport...
Young people
November 22, 2008 - 20:42 ET by Michael M. BatesAs the young people say, it's all good.
I thought what they said - with a look of disgust - is "whatever." At least that's what they say to me.
Mike BD-- I was---
November 22, 2008 - 20:43 ET by misterbillI was--- 53 when my youngest son was born. His Mom was 38.
It was that Ole Debbil Moon that made me do it!!!
Mr. Bill... You da
November 22, 2008 - 20:50 ET by Clear thinkerMr. Bill...
You da man!
Gun Sales Will Skyrocket Again
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
School loans, Jack
November 22, 2008 - 13:01 ET by Michael M. BatesDid you know that between them they racked up FIFTEEN (15) STUDENT years in education AFTER High School?
That must explain why they're both geniuses, maybe even smarter than the previous world's smartest woman.
I think we're going about
November 22, 2008 - 02:57 ET by ConservativeRexI think we're going about this the wrong way. I would not want my kids in a private school with any Presidents kids.
Why put my kids in the line of fire? You never know what could happen. These idiots are saying what school they are going to...duh...that is one school my kids would not be within 1000' of.
But hell, they're not my kids, so have at it for all I care.
Do as the messiah says...
November 22, 2008 - 10:51 ET by mizflame98...not as he do. I guess it's fabulous that his kids gets to go to private school while the rest of America has to put up with failing public schools. I guess only the Obama Monarchy are allowed school choice.
Perfect Demotivator for the Obama Administration
http://www.despair.com/government.html
Michelle says:
November 22, 2008 - 11:31 ET by ahusser"Let them eat cake" (I heard somewhere that 'cake' was a polite reference to horse manure. If that is the case then it makes more sense :) )
"...no civilization, no matter how rich, no matter how refined, can long survive once it loses the power to meet force with equal or superior force." - Bernard Knox
He's not opposed at all to
November 22, 2008 - 11:20 ET by GrannyGrump42He's not opposed at all to school choice. He just wants OTHER PEOPLE to choose your kids' school.
There had been speculation
November 22, 2008 - 11:39 ET by R D HelmThere had been speculation that Barack Obama, who has long championed public education while opposing vouchers allowing for parental choice, might send his children to public schools.
Speculation on the part of who? Idiot NEA members?
What parent in their right mind would ever pack off the most precious thing in their life and turn him/her over to the government five days a week?
That is nothing short of child abuse.
-Dave
Did this country just elect Obama/Biden, or was it Soros/Ayers?
Especially in the DC
November 22, 2008 - 14:33 ET by mizflame98Especially in the DC public school system.
Perfect Demotivator for the Obama Administration
http://www.despair.com/government.html
It's even more hypocritical
November 22, 2008 - 15:28 ET by trak65It's even more hypocritical because it's not like they would be making social experiments of their kids. There actually are very good public elementary schools in DC, including many charter schools and regular schools -- all free.
→ No trak
November 22, 2008 - 15:39 ET by Cool ArrowAccording to Joe Biden, the DC Public School system would be that much more stupid if two more Black Children were placed in it.
Obama may be choosing private school to protect the Public School rather than his own children.
it goes back to what you
November 22, 2008 - 16:34 ET by motherbeltit goes back to what you start off with, what you're dealing with."
I still can't believe Biden actually said that and not only got away with it but got on the ticket as VP!
Unbelievable!
November 22, 2008 - 16:49 ET by mizflame98I just can't figure out what Obama was thinking to pick Biden as a running mate.
Perfect Demotivator for the Obama Administration
http://www.despair.com/government.html
what he was thinking with Biden
November 22, 2008 - 20:44 ET by Michael M. BatesI just can't figure out what Obama was thinking to pick Biden as a running mate.
Maybe. . . "Love those plugs!"
hypocracy
November 22, 2008 - 13:04 ET by brerolThe hypocracy of the left continues. The Obamas send there children to a private school because they can afford the tuition. But those of us in the working/middle class wondering whether or not we will still have a job tomarrow cannot afford the cost of a private education. Of course if there were some kind of voucher system in place then the burden of cost would be reduced. A voucher system the Obamas and the democratic party opposses. They do so on the ignorant argument the voucher takes $$ away from public schools. Which of course is a flat out lie perpetuated by the NEA. Who by the way have given tons of $$ to the democratic party so as to ensure our children are stuck in lousy schools. Remember, the larger the public school population, the larger need for more public teachers. The more public teachers as members of the NEA equates to more money in the NEA coffers. And $$ = power.
Hypocrites!!
November 22, 2008 - 15:38 ET by natgoldieDisgusting hypocrites! I can understand why the Obamas would want their children to go to a good school, but then why are they preventing other families from making similar choices by not supporting school vouchers!?! It is sooo wrong.
Of course the Obamas' chose
November 22, 2008 - 16:01 ET by Rush FanOf course the Obamas' chose a private school. No teachers union to get in the way of merit pay, accountability of teachers including discharging poor teachers, and the ability to focus on core subjects, such as math and english.
Kudos to President-elect Obama. He realizes the critical importance of a good education for the future success of our children (scratch that, it should read HIS CHILDREN).
-------------------------------------------------------------
Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn. ~ Benjamin Franklin
How the media will play it
November 22, 2008 - 16:06 ET by ArminiusThe MSM will report that the Obamas' decision was based on security concerns for their daughters, and not on the quality of private versus government schools. Don't buy it. The Secret Service--and not the school--will provide the security regardless of where the girls go to school.
Given D.C.'s majority African-American population, this decision essentially says, hey, we'll take your votes, but you don't really expect our kids to associate with your kids, do you?
That's a little simplistic.
November 22, 2008 - 16:20 ET by balboaThat's a little simplistic. If they're going to send their kids to private school, they should seek ways to make public schools better. Absolutely.
But I don'tt hink it has anything to do with "associating" with other kinds of kids.
Bal, I don't often agree
November 22, 2008 - 16:28 ET by motherbeltBal, I don't often agree with you, but I do here.
They want the best education possible for their daughters, like all parents.
But in typical liberal fashion, they procure it for themselves while depriving others of a chance to make the same choice.
Now I'm not saying governmtent should pay for all kids to go to a sxhool as expensive as Sidwell Friends, but there are plenty of smaller private and parochial schools around DC that do a much better job than the public schools.
→ Simplistic?
November 22, 2008 - 16:33 ET by Cool ArrowSimplistic? Maybe.
But the hypocrisy of any Democrat sending his/her children to private school is simple hypocrisy.
But then, Obama did admit to driving a Volvo, didn't he?
Are you saying they're
November 22, 2008 - 16:49 ET by balboaAre you saying they're hypocrites because they believe public schools can be good, while sending their kids to private school?
Whereas Republicans don't believe in public schools so it's OK for them to send their kids to private schools?
what is hypocritical is
November 22, 2008 - 17:01 ET by katainkentwhat is hypocritical is that they (liberals) are major opponents to school vouchers so they can support the public school system but they turn around and put their children into private school anyway.
Third Presidential Debate :
If you want to read more about Obama and his platform on education - go here
member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008
hypocrisy
November 22, 2008 - 20:12 ET by brerol"Are you saying they're hyprocrites because they believe public schools CAN be good, while sending their kids to private schools?" The word can is the key word here. As long as our public schools are strongly influenced by groups like the NEA then there is strong doubt our public schools can reach their maximum potentional. The NEA has one and only one solution to our education system. Throw a butt load of money at it and all problems will disappear. Considering we have done that for some time now without any noticable results and one has to wonder when we will wise up and stop this nonesense.
hypocrisy
November 22, 2008 - 20:36 ET by brerol"Whereas Republicans don't believe in public schools so it's OK for them to send their kids to private schools?" Not sure how a Republican would answer this question but I know conservatives are not against public schools but rather opposed to terrible public schools. Conservatives are also for empowering parents by giving them more options in there educational decisions. Parents have a far better idea what is best for their children than some faceless bureaucrat in a school system And if the nearby public school or the public school a child is bused across town in the name of equity is rife with inept teachers then, YES, it is okay to send a child to a private school. That is of course if parents can afford the tuition. For many parents a modest voucher would be enough for them to get them over the financial hump. With Obama now president that hump has morphed into a huge wall. But, hey, the Obama children will now be tucked away at a school of their parents choice. Too bad thousands of other deserving children of D.C. do not have the same option. Way to go B.O. Just throw them under the school bus.
I would imagine trying to
November 22, 2008 - 16:17 ET by katainkentI would imagine trying to maintain a Secret Service presense at a Public school campus would be nearly impossible or at best, impractical and very expensive. Have any President's children attended Public School? I would be curious to know.
member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008
I read somewhere that Amy
November 22, 2008 - 16:31 ET by motherbeltI read somewhere that Amy Carter did.
I don't know how many other Presidents had school-age kids while in the White House.
BTW why would it be nearly impossible and/or impractical?
well I researched this a
November 22, 2008 - 16:35 ET by katainkentwell I researched this a bit and I looked at the size of the private school and pictures of the grounds.
Versus those of the major public schools in the DC area from a strategic viewpoint I would rather stick with the small school. I couldnt look up every school in the DC area but... think in terms of dogs & bomb searches, maintaining proximity to the children, maintaining security for each of their classrooms, maintaining watch on all exits, weapons security... and the list goes on. Also, private schools screen their applicants.
member of the Conservative Independant Witness Protection Program since Nov. 5, 2008
Yes, Amy did go to a government school
November 22, 2008 - 18:14 ET by ArminiusSo it's not impossible to provide security at a government school. In fact, I believe it would be easier. Sidwell Friends families have more say at what goes on at their school since they are paying big bucks for their children to go there. It's not difficult to imagine situations in which the Secret Service would have to make some compromises in order to keep those families from feeling oppressed by the added security. Government school families would not have as much say concerning increased security measures, hence compromises would be unlikely. (If they had any say, those schools probably wouldn't be amongst the worse in the country.)
Of course, Obama pays a lot of lip service to government schools, but the only government school he every attended was the one where he received Koranic studies in Indonesia. The man-boy is a hypocrite, but what else would you expect from a Democrat?
More of the Same
November 22, 2008 - 16:25 ET by Lee BoggsSend the kids to the Clintons' school of choice is more of the same, not change.
Did the article mention which school Barry attended as a kid?
Does anybody know?
Wouldn't Bill Ayers be
November 24, 2008 - 05:57 ET by semolina_filcherWouldn't Bill Ayers be pissed at BO...so much for the Anneneberg Project where the unrepentant terrorist and the future pretend president wasted 100 millions dollars for "improving" the Chicago public schools (all for naught). Now the first daughters to be get to spend some quality time at a private school, all paid for by taxpayers money. Must be what Obummer had in mind when he said "spread the wealth"....