WH withdraws call for students to 'help' Obama
By Matthew Mosk (Contact)
Originally published 08:03 p.m., September 2, 2009, updated 11:58 p.m., September 2, 2009
President Obama's plan to inspire the nation's schoolchildren with a video address next week erupted into controversy Wednesday, forcing the White House to pull out its eraser and rewrite a government recommendation that teachers nationwide assign students a paper on how to "help the president."
Presidential aides acknowledged the White House helped the U.S. Education Department craft the proposal, which immediately was met by fierce criticism from Republicans and conservative organizations who accused Mr. Obama of trying to politicize the education system.
White House aides said the language was an honest misunderstanding in what was supposed to be a inspirational, pro-education message to America's youths.
Yeah, this WH is known for its "honesty".
Among the activities the government initially suggested for prekindergarten to sixth-grade students: that they " write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president."
Another task recommended for students immediately after listening to the speech: to engage in a discussion about what "the president wants us to do."
The novel curriculum plan brought sharp criticism from conservatives, including some who complained that classrooms were being used to spread political propaganda.
In response, the White House last night confirmed they were revising the lesson plan that was distributed last week by the U.S. Department of Education.
"We're clarifying that language," White House spokesman Tommy Vietor said.
By Wednesday evening, the sentence asking children to think about how they can "help the president" had been replaced.
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