Michelle Obama addresses weight of student vote
By Zack Colman (Last updated: 09/22/08 10:43pm)Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has focused on the youth vote during his campaign, and his wife, Michelle, is doing the same.
Michelle Obama talked to college journalists Monday via a conference call about issues that concern young voters, such as health care, the economy and energy.
On student debt and jobs:
The average college student is weighed down by almost $22,000 in student loans. That’s on average. Barack and I have experienced that as well because we just paid down our student loans. We were in debt to that tune even greater. Our country is facing high unemployment rates on top of it. And the bad news on the economy keeps coming. It’s getting harder for recent graduates to find jobs that pay a good enough wage to help cover the debt that they’re all coming out with.
On young voter impact:
No matter who your readers support, I said in this race we need folks to register to vote, to make their voices heard. Young people have already made a huge difference in this election and they can determine the outcome on Nov. 4, but only if they speak out, only if they get involved, only if they register to vote.
On the middle class:
As many of you know, if you’ve been following the campaign, that Barack’s stance really focused on the middle class. People need money in their pockets because of home foreclosures and health care and education costs going up. You’ve got folks who can’t put gas in their tanks. Seniors are also in that position as well so we’ve got to get the economic structure so that it’s balanced toward the folks that are hurting most.
On health care:
Even families who are getting up and going to work every day often find that they are uninsured or underinsured. In the midst of being sick and finding that they can’t get insurance because they have diabetes or diagnosed with cancer or the insurance can’t cover you because you had a pre-existing condition. We have to fix this health care system because it’s costing this nation millions of dollars for people who are fighting diseases and they let it get out of control because they don’t have access.
On the nation’s future:
The next president can lead us in a different direction. Or the next president could not. So this is a crucial moment in our nation’s history. The consequences of this election will play out for years to come.
The next president is going to have a mess to deal with on so many fronts, and I think that’s something young people have to understand. The next president is going to be dealing with crises here and abroad that’s going to impact the way they think about this job, and what they can get done.
Originally Published: 09/22/08 10:37pm
Michelle Obama is an idiot
09/23/08 7:30amDid she remember to say how much she hates America?
andy
09/23/08 8:53amThe change in “direction” she is referring to has been made crystal clear by her husband and running mate Biden: they will literally “take money” from some citizens and “give” it to others. They are not hiding that fact at all, but are shouting it loud and clear in their speeches. If you want to go further in the direction of pure socialism, if you want a government that will, under penalty of jail, “take” the money you earn from your own hard work, sacrifices, and creativity and “give” it to others who have done nothing to earn it…then vote for Socialist Obama.
SoCal Spartan
09/23/08 10:04amDid she ever say she hates America? If so please provide a reference. Socialism is not evil, by the way. Additionally, would you rather have your tax money go to somebody who is having hard times OR a big company which screwed a LOT OF PEOPLE OVER, and make sure their people are paid. Thereby taking on more responsibilities for the government, wait…isn’t that socialistic/communistic?
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JP
09/23/08 10:50amto the first post:
first off, the quote revolved around a comment saying she was proud of this country for the first time in her adult life.. which George W. Bush, Laura Bush, John McCain, and Cindy McCain all dismissed and said was blown out of proportion and the media needed to let it be because of the ridiculous media coverage on the clip. as always, people changed the words around to make it sound worse.. sound familiar? maybe instead of using slander and fear tactics, you could discuss the issues. don’t tell me why other people are wrong when your party has failed to explain actual plans for change.
Freaking out!
09/23/08 12:20pmI am deeply concerned that a deceitful prune and an ignorant dolt will hold the highest chairs of our political system. McCain has been called out more than a few times to have flip-flopped and has blatantly lied on so many issues ranging from the war in Iraq, to drilling, to his stance on health-care. And Palin, well. . . sheâs just a special case ainât she now? That ignorant dolt couldnât tell you what sheâs running for more than she could tell you what 2+2 equals.
Yay, American bipartisan politics.
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Dan
09/23/08 12:26pmTo SoCal Spartan:
Socialism is absolutely EVIL! Would I rather have my tax dollars go to someone on “hard times” or a big evil corporation? Neither! I want my tax money to stay in my pocket where it belongs. And I’m not falling for the line about my tax money going to people who have fallen on “hard times.” The majority of those people have just made poor decisions with their lives and are using the government as a crutch. I don’t need to pay for their idiocy.
SoCal Spartan
09/23/08 12:45pmDan,
I agree there is DRASTIC reform needed to the way we coddle idiots out there, undoubtedly. I think a socialist/capitalist economy is one that’s good. We all live in a nation that needs upkeep, such as roads and more things. This should just get delapidated? Additionally, providing assurance of our bucks coming back in elder years, that’s a nice savings program.
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Joe
09/23/08 1:21pmThe thought of America becoming socialist is truly terrifying!
Imagine an America with guaranteed pensions for the elderly! With subsidized loans for college students! Where the government buys enormous shares of the private financial market in times of crisis!
Vote conservative so this nightmare MAY NEVER COME TO PASS !
SoCal Spartan
09/23/08 1:25pmJoe,
Everything but the last one sounds good to me! I hope you’re joking about that one! I don’t understand how some elders retire, but have to work at BS jobs to take care of rising costs. It is simply sad that the American dream is impossible to accomplish for a HUGE percentage of Americans.
Go Red!
Go White!
Go Blue
Go America!
Freaking out!
09/23/08 3:40pmDid she happen to say how much she hates America?
...Did she happen to say how mean we are as a country?
Did she happen to say that the 1st time she was proud of her country was when her empty-suit rabble rousing, racist husband was stole the Dem nomination?
Did she happen to say that she really never paid attention to the black-separatist, racist Rev Wright while she attended his church for twenty years, or that she had him perform her marriage to Barak Hussein Obama, or how she had him baptize her children?
Did she evr mention how much she admired self-admitted and non-repentant terrosists William Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn?
Did she happen to mention that she PW’d her street agitator husband into voting for infacticide and supports with all her might the righteousness of partial-birth abortion?
Did she …? Michelle is evil.
Did she …? Michelle is Angela
Did she …? Why do only “folks” need to register?
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Dan
09/23/08 3:56pmTo SoCal Spartan:
...No, I don’t think we should punish people who are successful and redistribute the wealth. Currently the upper 1% of wage earners are paying 70% of the taxes. That is just not fair at all. How about we all pay an equal percentage? Isn’t that fair? As it is now, the more successful you are the greater percentage of your income you pay. Lets say everyone pays 20% of their income.
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Dan is wise
09/23/08 4:11pmDan;
Well said … EXCEPT your last line. You’ve read this ultra-left wing, tree-hugging, environmental-whacko drool on about his love of socialism for a long time now. What makes you think he can improve himself? He is convinced of the constant pap he posts here & nothing can change the outlook of a liberal. They don’t even believe the ARE liberal, they’ll claim to be “independents” every time. Read Travel & Leisure’s rating this month that puts Southern California DEAD LAST in rank for both friendly people and intelligent people and you may begin to appreciate where this guy gets his tripe.
grant
09/23/08 4:16pmJP:
does that stand for just pathetic? Do you call SoCal before you write a post? What a complete idiot!
Be very afraid!
09/23/08 4:18pmPatty Hearst
Angela Davis
Squeky Fromm
Bernadine Dohrn
Michelle Obama
die Valkyrie
Be very afraid!
09/23/08 4:18pmPatty Hearst
Angela Davis
Squeaky Fromm
Bernadine Dohrn
Michelle Obama
die Valkyrie
SoCal Spartan
09/23/08 5:02pmHey now,
The birth of the conservative movement and mega-churches began in SoCal. Orange County (OC) to be exact, and that’s where I live. Right by where Nixon was born. Out here to work at McDonalds you have to be latino, no crackers like me allowed.
Graduated taxation makes sense to me, the flat rate would devastate people. Getting $24,000 as opposed to $27,000 is significant when you’re pulling in $30,000.
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Sigh
09/23/08 5:49pmWhy does it seem like “conservatives” can’t seem to talk about Obama without constantly mentioning his middle name to try to spark negative thoughts, calling him a Muslim (which isn’t true, but if it was, so what?), or otherwise resorting to unintelligent, ignorant ad hominem attacks?
The Champ
09/23/08 6:52pmSigh: we have a saying in this country, if it looks like a duck, if it walks like a duck, if it sounds like a duck, then it’s probably a duck.
Sigh
09/23/08 7:06pmReferring to…?
SoCal Spartan
09/23/08 10:30pmSigh: I think the champ is talking about ignorant idiots, that’s what the Champ is sound like to me.
Mike
09/24/08 6:49amSoCal:“I grew up in money and have money, and I don’t mind.” You fit the mold of a limousine liberal so nicely. I have a lot of money so I should force others to give it to the poor, right? Charity should be a choice, not forced by the government.
grant
09/24/08 8:45amMike:
You can dress ‘em up, but you can’t take ‘em out!
Didn’t I tell you So(viet)Cal Spartan would deny it?! the flaming liberals as so used to lying that it comes natural -they can’t even admit that Hussein IS Barak Hussein Obama’s middle name. They still maintain, though Obama admitted to and referenced his “Muslim Faith” in a TV interview with George Stephanopoulos in St. Louis as recently as two weeks ago. I know dems … it never happened. Bush was never elected president either …
SoCal Spartan
09/24/08 11:21amMike: The point is my colleagues here say that Republicans are rich. This is coming from dedicated Republicans. How about all the money going into faulty national defense contracts to the VPs old company, etc. Barack’s middle name is Hussein, but what’s McCain’s, George’s, Sarah’s? Who CARES about the damn middle name.
Additionally, since when is it bad to have faith in Allah?
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SoCal Spartan
09/24/08 11:34amPlus, I think we should legalize 100% of drugs and tax them well. The deficit would disappear quickly! Also, I’m 100% sober so it’s not for my interest, just knowledgeable taxing methods.
grant
09/24/08 2:22pmMike:
He’s like the Energizer Bunny, he just keeps going and going and going … Here is So(cialist)Cal’s quote of the year! “I’m not liberal, I’m moderate” followed up by “I think we should legalize 100% of drugs”. So(viet)CAL, I care about the middle name you dolt! Barak Hussein Obama is not a terrorist, and you are not a liberal. RRRRIGHTTT!!!!