Pawlenty Latest Republican to hit Obama School Speech

(AP Photo/John Watson-Riley)

Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, a Republican seen as a potential 2012 presidential candidate, on Friday criticized President Obama's planned speech to schoolchildren, calling it "disruptive" for schools.

"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," he told reporters at the Minnesota state fair, according to CNN. "I don't think he needs to force it upon the nation's school children."

The president will speak about the importance of working hard and staying in school, according to the White House. He will not address policy or political issues. Some school districts, citing logistical concerns as the school year gets underway, are opting not to show the speech.

There has also been ideological opposition to the address, inflamed by an initial recommendation from the Department of Education that students write a letter to themselves on how they could help the president. That recommendation has since been removed and other language in the guidelines was also changed.

Pawlenty has been calling for conservatives to "stand up to President Obama" and has been speaking at key conservative gatherings in what some see as a signal that he is testing the waters for a possible run.

As CNN notes, another potential 2012 GOP presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, was less critical of the speech, saying that it is "appropriate" so long as Mr. Obama stays away from policy and politics.

Earlier Friday, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs derided critics of the speech, saying, "I think we've reached a little bit of the silly season when the president of the United States can't tell kids in school to study hard and stay in school."

Some Republicans have used outsize rhetoric to describe what they see as Mr. Obama's goals for the speech. Among them are Florida Republican Party chair Jim Greer, who alleged the president is seeking to "indoctrinate America's children to his socialist agenda."

[mauriciott]

How stupid can republicans be? This is a disrespect to the president of the United States and a discrminatory note that is tickling in most of their attacks. If the prsident was white they would surely forgive him for being a democrat. I am sick of hearing the derogatory comments by ignorants who accept all comments by the likes of the Minnesota governor. It is just plain stupid to suggest that to tell children to stay in school is political propaganda, socialism as they now call all of the presidents prgrams. Why didn't they cry their souls out when former president George Bush Sr. did the same thing, but of course he was Republican... AND WHITE!!

[jsilver2th]

Too bad he didn't have anything serious to discuss...

Like the way he is running Minnesota into the ground- it's tragic. According to the Univesity of Minnestoa that state has greatly benefited from the Obama stimulous package. All while the Governor neglects his duties running around the country making this type of childish criticism of the President and praising Sarah Palin.

[oldsoftee]

Minnesota goes 1 for three: +1 for electing Franken; -1 for re-electing Michele (duh) Bachmann; -1 for Tim Pawlenty on Obama's speech to students.

[ducdebrabant]

I never thought I?d see the day when parents would demand a President of the United States be barred from addressing their children. Because our current President is of another party (and, in some cases, because he is of African descent), he is now being treated as, immoral, villainous, toxic and alien. It will surely not be lost on African-Americans that a new precedent is being set for our first African-American President. Speaking as a Democrat, I have never in my life dreamed of treating any Republican President like a drug pusher or sex offender simply for offering to speak to schoolchildren. It is the height of impudence that any President?s remarks be ?screened? by parent-ideologues of the other party, by tendentious teachers or school administrators. That any teacher, principal, school board, municipality or state should take part in this outrage is nothing less than a scandal. I rarely use this term, but there is no other term for it: is un-American.

[babooph]

Pawlenty has co reason to worry -the students who will later be "conservatives" will have no idea what the talk is about.

[pasmalltown]

by babooph September 5, 2009 9:38 PM EDT
"Pawlenty has co(sic) reason to worry -the students who will later be "conservatives" will have no idea what the talk is about. "
_______________________________

If he's NOT worried, why talk about it at all? He obviously has some concern. Your smug comment on this post indicates you might have some as well....

[brian3656]

Once a fervent Republican, I have in recent years "changed ships." The reason is largely because of the laughable, ridiculous, and hateful language set forth by the party. Although there are hundreds of examples, the press release titled, "Greer Condemns Obama's Attempt to Indoctrinate Students," is just another perfect demonstration of why so many, like me, have been driven away from the Republican party. In short, regardless of color or ideology or whatever, the President of the United States, dem or pub, deserves respect, or at least to be freely heard. By suggesting that students not listen or be kept from listening to the President, whether you like him or not, is simply ludicrous. Pubs, just keep digging yourself deeper and deeper; just keep talking. As for my children and students, they'll listen to what the man has to say.

[nirak2-2009]

When do Rpublicans realize they are digging their hole deeper and deeper?

[giantrobot2]

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[HGOODGUY]

I would like to know when in our entire history has a presidents speech been "disruptive for schools"???
The GOP has become pathetic and laughable.
Pathetic because they are looking for "any port in a storm" and laughable because they have become absurd.
It's called "looking for flyshit in the pepper"!!!

[amerecua]

I did not vote for Obama, but the Republicans in my own party are making me furious. It's obvious that they are attempting to railroad the Obama administration any way possible. Using our children a political pawns is disgusting. Republican votors should be outraged and put aside partisanship for the good of the country. We need healthcare reform, and a the president of the USA should be able to address this nations youth without dealing with this nasty slander by ultra conservatives in the Republican party.