Did Obama Take a Shot at the Palins?

[RandySF]

Last night, the president said that those who drop out of high school fail not only themselves but their country. Todd and Sarah Palin has thus far allowed their two oldest children and their supposed future son-in-law to drop out. And, given how much school Piper missed during the campaign, she may follow in their footsteps. It's clearly a family that does not value formal education and training. Did Obama take a veiled shot at them?

[MineralMan]

1. No, I don't think so.

The dropout problem is real. It's huge. It's critical.

I'm sure he was not even thinking about Palin when he included that in his speech. Palin isn't really worth considering in any way.

[bluestateguy]

2. Perhaps, but he was also taking a shot at many of his own supporters

A whole lot of black and Hispanic kids drop out, and they and their parents are very likely to be Obama voters.

[SammyWinstonJack]

3. .

:thumbsup:

[global1]

8. He's Making Finishing High School Cool So Those Black & Hispanic Kids.....

that drop out might think twice about dropping out and finish. He really was putting it out there so all American kids (regardless of color) finish high school. It also provides the parents of kids with some ammunition to use with their kids. I'm glad he said it.

If it happens to resonate with the Palin's - that's a plus.

[Vickers]

4. He doesn't strike me as petty like that. I don't think he would use a

very real problem in this country to take pot shots at anyone.

It's a different political landscape than what we are accustomed to.

[CTyankee]

5. That line got the biggest response of the night from the audience and the reaction back home.

I find that interesting. This means that yet another "example" of Sarah Palin and her family is OUT OF STEP with the majority in this country. Most people know that having a 17 year old daughter quit school and become an unwed mother due to lack of accurate medical information about contraception is NOT a good thing for that family and it is NOT a good thing for America.

Obama laid it on the line. The people responded "Yes!"

[RandySF]

10. It's not just an issue of being pregnant at 17

There was no legitimate reason for her to drop out. High schools across the country graduate girls who are either pregnant or are already moms.

[Aristus]

14. My seventeen-year old step-daughter walked down the aisle and collected her diploma

while nine months pregnant. Dropping out was never an option.

Our anger at her getting pregnant at 17 was assuaged by the birth of our gloriously beautiful grandson. If she had dropped out, we would never have gotten over our anger...

[CTyankee]

15. Right. My point is that the American people know how irresponsible that was on her part.

In addition to her parents insistence on "abstinence only" sex ed.

[stillcool]

6. If the shoe fits..

Obama took a 'veiled shot' at millions of Americans who drop out of school. If you want to make it about the Palins, good luck.

[City of Mills]

12. +1

Agreed.

[peacetalksforall]

7. If I had been him, I would not even think a nano-second about the Palins - for now.

The Palins can be dismissed - for now.

Some Republican adults might end this total push to appeal to the Limbaugh followers who adore George Bush.

Republicans are going to have problems keeping their disparate voting bases together.

This folksy stuff we saw at their Convention is being ratcheted up? The plumber, Sarah, and the LA Governor reign? They must be really concerned about keeping that part of their hard core 27-37% voter bloc.

[Kahuna]

9. No. I doubt very seriously that the Palins were on Obama's mind. nt

[Obamanaut]

11. No, it was just something that needs to be said - a lot. My county

in N Fla has a 70% HS completion rate, so a lot of people need to listen and take action.

[Uzybone]

13. No.

Why would he? HS drop outs are a big issue across the country.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

16. I don't think he did at all but it certainly does apply.

[BurtWorm]

17. I didn't hear the word "pig" anywhere in that address.

:patriot:

[AlCzervik]

18. There is no way he would deliberately take a shot at them, that's not who he is.

that's not who i voted for.

[Bluerthanblue]

19. he's always promoted the value of EDUCATION- don't think this was

anything new. It's refreshing to hear the president talk about our responsibilities to one another in the context of making the best use of our own abilities and skills as individuals- pointing out how that impacts everyone of us collectively.

As for Palin- I don't think he looks for ways to dis them. They seem to do pretty well with that themselves.