Obamas Answer To Second Graders
There were no questions on former Senator Daschle or the White House vetting process, CBS News' Mark Knoller reports, most likely to the president's relief. However, one curious student asked about the White House.
Michelle Obama compared parts of her family's new residence to a museum, but what really caught the children's imagination was her mention of the White House's bowling alley and movie theater. The self-appointed "mom in-chief" also said that she has "got to keep [her] kids from going down" to the pastry kitchen where candies and chocolates are made.
"You're excellent listeners," the president told the students. "And the reason we came to visit, A, we wanted to get out of the White House; B, we wanted to see you guys; but C, the other thing we wanted to tell everybody is that this kind of innovative school, the outstanding work that's being done here by the entire staff, and the parents who are so active and involved, is an example of how all our schools should be."
President Obama could not resist cheerleading for the economic stimulus bill facing the Senate this week; he noted that elements of the legislation work to help public schools.
"The recovery and reinvestment act that we've put forward will provide billions of dollars to build schools and help with school construction," he said. "It will provide money to train teachers, especially in subjects like math and science that are so critical. And it will also give Secretary Duncan the resources he needs to reward excellent, innovative schools."
"So we think it's really important for the country that we get that bill passed," the president said.
Unfortunately for the president, these second graders will not be judging the merits of the legislation.