Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Analysis: Furor over speech typifies polarization
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Search
Search:
Analysis: Furor over speech typifies polarization
By STEVEN R. HURST,Associated Press Writer AP - Tuesday, September 8
WASHINGTON - The furor over President Barack Obama's start-of-school speech to the nation's students _ challenging them to work hard, earn good grades and stay in school _ typifies the country's widening rift over politics and social issues.
ADVERTISEMENT
It's certainly an unwelcome distraction as the president prepares to address both houses of Congress and the nation Wednesday about his embattled attempt to overhaul the health care system, which has taken a hammering from Republicans and some middle-of-the-road Democrats.
Dating back to his campaign for president, some Obama opponents have tried to paint him as a "socialist." Since winning the White House, the attacks have continued over his attempts to invigorate the tumbling economy with a $787 billion stimulus.
Far-right critics now charge that Obama would use his back-to-school remarks Tuesday to indoctrinate youngsters into his alleged "socialist" agenda.
Fox News Channel commentators Michelle Malkin and Glenn Beck have been prominent in attacking the speech. Florida Republican party chairman Jim Greer said he was "absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology."
Even Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, a moderate and potential presidential contender in 2012, said Obama's speech was "uninvited" and raises questions of content and motive.
Many school districts have decided not to show Obama's speech, partly in response to concerns from parents.
Education Secretary Arne Duncan called that "just silly" during a Sunday television interview. He said the text of the speech would be on the White House Web site Monday and that watching the address was voluntary.
Opponents to the president's school message latched onto a lesson plan, since amended, the department sent out asking students to write letters "about what they can do to help the president." Duncan said that referred to Obama's "goal of having the highest percent of college graduates by 2020."
The secretary noted: "We just clarified that to say 'write a letter about your own goals and what you're going to do to achieve those goals.' So again it's really about personal responsibility and being accountable, setting real goals and having the work ethic to see them through."
While the White House dealt with that controversy, Obama's environmental adviser resigned under fire for inflammatory statements made before he joined the administration.
Van Jones "understood that he was going to get in the way" of Obama's agenda, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said Sunday.
Jones, who specialized in environmentally friendly "green jobs" with the White House Council on Environmental Quality, was linked to efforts suggesting a government role in the Sept. 11 attacks and to derogatory comments about Republicans. Fox's Beck was one of Jones' leading detractors.
Some Obama critics are sparing no efforts to diminish his presidency _ piling on such distractions as he prepares for the critical health care address _ hoping that a defeat of the overhaul, a signature campaign promise, will tarnish his administration. That, the thinking goes, could open the way for Republicans to make a comeback in next year's midterm elections after their shattering defeat by the Obama juggernaut in 2008.
Obama took office vowing to change the tenor in Washington, to seek bipartisanship as he worked through his reform agenda. So far he's had no success with that course.
Switching tactics at the eight-month mark in his four-year term would mark a turning point for a president elected by an unusually wide margin. But Obama has seen public opinion poll numbers shrink considerably among independents and those who have been turned against his legislative agenda by the relentless criticism from the conservative right.
___
EDITOR'S NOTE _ Steven R. Hurst reports from the White House for The Associated Press.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: World
Three guilty of transatlantic jet bombing plotAFP - 59 minutes ago
Deadly Afghan air strike turns up heat on MerkelAFP - 1 hour 1 minute ago
UK court convicts 3 of plot to blow up airlinersAP - 1 hour 10 minutes ago
VP Joe Biden pledges to back workers in Pa. stopAP - 1 hour 21 minutes ago
Libya to resist compensation claims by IRA victimsAFP - 1 hour 25 minutes ago
Most Popular – World
Viewed
Appetite spells three wolves' doom in Switzerland
RBS close to selling off Asian assets: report
Brazil, France in advanced talks on fighter jet deal: Lula
Poignant final farewell as Jackson laid to rest
Kuwait to keep Citigroup, Merrill Lynch stakes: report
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Monday, 7 September 2009 Palestinian-Israeli prisoner swap in early stages: Meshaal
French economy seen as stabilising
Iraq presses for tribunal for Syria bomb suspects
ISAF denies 'damning' air strike report
Iran's Khatami hits back at hardline foes
| International
|
Iran says develops stealth missile interceptor system
Irish minister in Sudan to press for hostage release
Brazil's Lula rejects Iran sanctions, urges talks
| International
|
No date for Afghan vote results: officials
Ariana, Afghanistan's only way to fly?
Mass. lawmakers prep for Kennedy successor hearing
Sri Lanka expels UN official over reported comment
Controversy over fiery remarks fells Obama adviser
9 dead, 926 people rescued from Philippine ferry
Crack could keep Bay Bridge closed 1 more workday
China Xinjiang chief survives political firestorm
2-year-old, 3 others dead in La. murder-suicide
Ohio pickup hits Amish buggy, killing 3 siblings
Karzai edges closer to 50 percent in Afghan vote
Duncan says furor over Obama speech 'silly'
Edward Kennedy's son thanks public for condolences
4th acid attack in busy Hong Kong area injures 11
Water main break causes flooding in Los Angeles
Vietnam police release detained writers
Votes thrown out at 447 Afghan polling sites
With more labor inspectors, enforcement expected
Ex-Australian PM Howard hospitalised: report
Drought-stricken streams threaten Calif. salmon
New Zealand house prices recover further
Final Destination retains lead at box office
| Entertainment
|
French film has Huppert as coffee planter in Africa
French film has Huppert as coffee planter in Africa
| Entertainment
|
Taiwan may show China anniversary film -- but late: officials
'Final Destination' sustains fear factor with $12M
South Africa worries of World Cup immigrant boom
Lasseter sees more chance for animation at Oscars
Sudan could owe south millions in oil revenue
Top 'terrorism suspect' freed in Britain: report
Japan's Democrats to sign off on key cabinet picks
| International
|
Google gives ground to Europe over digital books deal: report
RBS close to selling off Asian assets: report
Iran nuclear work in spotlight as IAEA begins meet
Gene trawl boosts hope in fight against Alzheimer's
Vietnamese blogger says he has been released
Ahmadinejad holds first meeting of new government
Top central banks agree to tougher bank regulation: BIS
Key Merkel ally accused of racism
Venezuela plans gasoline exports to Iran
Brazil, France in advanced talks on fighter jet deal: Lula
South Korea complains to North over deadly river surge
| International
|
Israel approving new West Bank construction
China threatens punishment for rumor-mongering
| International
|
Israel to approve 500 new settler homes
Car bomb in west Iraq kills 7, wounds 16
| International
|
Pakistani troops kill 33 militants in Khyber
| International
|
Karzai inches toward Afghan poll win
| International
|
Zimbabwe's neighbors to seek end to sanctions
| International
|
Sudan could owe south millions in oil revenue: report
| International
|
Japan's next PM vows ambitious greenhouse gas cut
Seoul protests to North Korea over deadly flood
AP: Layoffs toughest on workers young, older
AP NewsAlert
INSIDE WASHINGTON: Labor board in gridlock
Crew rescued after second ship sinks in Philippines
Nepalese police arrest alleged militant leader
1 dead, others injured in Miss. prisoner van crash
South Korea complains to North over deadly river surge
US expands sales of arms: report
Former nuclear pariah India seeks uranium stocks
NYC church that housed notorious club to convert
Astronauts pack trash, surplus gear for ride home
Cargo ship reported it was sinking off Philippines
Former Lt. Gov. Healey decides against Senate race
Authorities find pot plants strewn on Okla. road
Ten years on, no justice for ETimor's Suai massacre victims
Obama to address union, name manufacturing adviser
U.S. leads world in foreign weapons sales
Cantwell: US, China must cooperate on clean energy
SCENARIOS-NZ central bank to hold rate, eyes on policy stance
S.Korea Aug dept store sales growth at 1-yr high
Seoul shares slip as banks fall; Hynix gains
Barclays closes on Korean nat resource investment-FT
Korea Hot Stocks
S.Korean T-bond futures steady, G20 reaction muted
Seoul shares lifted by techs, online game issues
New Zealand wholesale sales fall 0.9 pct in Q2
Race to lead UNESCO set to kick off
Capitalism is evil, says new Michael Moore film
| Entertainment
|
Jamaican dancehall innovator dies in NY at 47
Sex Pistols frontman reforms PiL: report
Dr. Oz leaving Oprah Winfrey for his own talk show
Moore premieres new documentary in Venice
Chavez the un-demon comes to Venice in Stone film
Film suspended on complaint by Mussolini granddaughter
Vera Lynn storms British charts again at 92
Lady Gaga tops British all-time download chart
Pixar wins lifetime award at Venice Film Festival
Karzai says United States wants to manipulate him
| International
|
Google restored in China after porn row: ex-chief
Economy outlook "better" than expected: bankers
Anti-Israel remarks harm Egypt bid to lead UNESCO
iCub the robot helps scientists understand humans
Israel authorizes new settler homes in West Bank
| International
|
Suicide bomber in west Iraq kills nine
Iran rules out talks on its nuclear rights
| International
|
Kraft Foods makes £10.2 bln bid for Cadbury
Spotify launches on Apple's iPhone
Israel authorises 455 new settlement units
Lebanon opposition rejects Hariri government move: source
| International
|
Sudanese women, Islamists scuffle over trouser case
Ahmadinejad: Iran won't halt nuclear work
Sri Lanka says proves execution video was faked
| International
|
Eight killed in suicide car bomb in western Iraq
Afghan rights body: dozens of civilians died in NATO strike
| International
|
US soldier killed by IED in Afghanistan: ISAF
Afghan journalist jailed for blasphemy goes free
| International
|
At least 20 die as bus plunges into gorge in India
Malaysia Muslims to be charged over temple protest
Charity: US troops stormed through Afghan hospital
20 die as bus plunges into gorge in India
Indonesian military plane crashes with 9 aboard
President speaks to union members on Labor Day
Timor's release of wanted militant sparks anger
Cambodian PM opposes more Khmer Rouge arrests
Beatles re-master, game drag band into digital age
| Technology
|
The Nation's weather
iCub the robot helps scientists understand humans
| Technology
|
Analysis: Furor over speech typifies polarization
Japan coalition talks stall cabinet pick unveiling
Google tells EU online books make Web democratic
| Technology
|
Samoan drivers set for shift to the left
Obama gets conflicting tips on health care speech
Facebook for 50-somethings woos India's Web-savvy seniors
| Technology
|
Crews work to hold Calif. wildfire's eastern edge
Celebrity designer out to conquer his native France
S.Korea to cut 2010 budget from enlarged 2009 plan
Pakistani stocks retreat 2009 record close
S.Korea to extend public works projects into 2010
Japan shares up on easing US job losses
McDonald's faces McCurry Malaysia legal decision
At least 100 likely dead in Indonesia quake: official
Seoul shares end flat; exporters rise, banks fall =2
Taiwan seeks China insurance deal increase: report
StanChart expects Taiwan private banking assets to double
Celebrity designer out to conquer his native France
Chinatrust bids $2.4 billion for AIG Taiwan unit: source
'South of the Border' to make Venice fest premiere
China firms may sue over derivatives: regulator
Robbie Williams to entertain Aussie awards show
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Record by Japan's next leader hot on net auction
Beatles re-master, game drag band into digital age
| Entertainment
|
NY graffiti underworld writes its future
Damon turns corporate whistleblower in dark comedy
| Entertainment
|
Vietnam racing faces big problem over small jockeys
Sex Pistol singer John Lydon to reform Public Image
| Entertainment
|
Record by Japan's next leader hot on net auction
| Entertainment
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights