Kids (and Their Parents) Just Don't Dig Obama Anymore
Kids just aren't that into President Obama these days, according to a series of interviews Politico recently conducted with youngsters. Much of this has to do with the fact that kids are kids, and it's unusual and more than a little bit creepy for children to obsess over any politician, even one who boasts a "big smile, big ears, and bouncy personality."
But children's political opinions tend to mirror those held by their parents (and to a lesser extent, their teachers), so a loss of enthusiasm among youngsters points to the attitudes they're hearing expressed at home and in the classroom.
“I think that it was the excitement that he was running for president, that he is African-American … that was a really big deal for my son; he felt that was important,” said Aron’s mom, Amy Mondschein. Aron, like most of his peers, has since tuned out.
“If Obama were to set a new law that every boy 10 years old could have Legos, you know, for free, you’d be hearing about it. But right now, he’s kind of into his own things,” his mother said.
[...]
Ashley, 10, said she and her friends “don’t really” talk about Obama these days.
Ashley said the economy had affected her in a much more basic way: “Since the economy’s falling, I don’t get so much allowance anymore,” she said.
[...]
“Sometimes, [Obama] can’t always make what he wants happen,” said Adelabo, 10.
Kids, and their parents, are now discovering that President Obama isn't God, Superman, or Santa Claus. He has no magical powers, he hasn't solved all (or even some) of the world's problems, and he's even putting a dent in kids' allowances and Christmas gift stash. What a drag. I wonder what the kids will have to say about Obama next November.
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Re: Kids (and Their Parents) Just Don't Dig Obama Anymore
We've suspected our oldest had Obama sympathies since the beginning. When her father and I covered Obama's inauguration, she stayed with friends nearby and they claimed she clapped for Obama repeatedly. She also thinks his name is Santa Obama (this is how liberals get the young ones started ...).
But recently (OK, after a Washington Nationals game that features presidential mascots), she decided that her favorite president was George Washington (not a bad pick, right?). The bloom is off the rose as far as Obama is concerned.
I actually feel slightly bad for kids who were used or otherwise sold a bill of goods about any contemporary man being their savior. So cruel.
Re: Kids (and Their Parents) Just Don't Dig Obama Anymore
Wow, that must have been disconcerting for you and Mark. How do two conservative journalists end up with a little Obamabot?! The Politico piece mentioned a similar scenario with the son of a National Review writer totally falling for Obama.
My youngest brother, now a 6th grader, reported that his teacher played a video of the Obama inaugural in class (at a private Catholic school!) and all of his classmates clapped vigorously except for him and his little buddy who protested in silent anger.
Dec '10
Re: Kids (and Their Parents) Just Don't Dig Obama Anymore
Once you've lost the 5th graders it's all downhill.
Oct '10
Re: Kids (and Their Parents) Just Don't Dig Obama Anymore
One agrees that using children in politics is most cruel. If it were not for the fact that I enjoy The Grinch That Stole Christmas so much, cannot cast Obama that way.
As Dr. Suess did some impressive political cartoons in his day, wonder how it would be today if Suess had Obama to work with, Hmmmm.
Mar '11
Re: Kids (and Their Parents) Just Don't Dig Obama Anymore
I think the tide began to turn when Lemonade Stand owners began to contemplate the hassles of navigating the "SHOP Exchanges".
May '10
Re: Kids (and Their Parents) Just Don't Dig Obama Anymore
I'm pretty sure that law about the free legos for 10-year-olds is in the President's Jobs Bill. Maybe Aron's Mom needs to quit being so lazy!
Dec '10
Re: Kids (and Their Parents) Just Don't Dig Obama Anymore
Diane Ellis, Ed.
...
Oh, dear Lord, can we please stop giving the man ideas?! He's already promising kids they won't have to pay for their college education.
Nov '10
Re: Kids (and Their Parents) Just Don't Dig Obama Anymore
Diane Ellis, Ed.
My youngest brother, now a 6th grader, reported that his teacher played a video of the Obama inaugural in class (at a private Catholic school!) and all of his classmates clapped vigorously except for him and his little buddy who protested in silent anger. · Nov 14 at 11:40am
Maybe it has something to do with where your little brother's Catholic school is located. We have our two oldest kids going to a Catholic school here in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and I can pretty much guarantee you that my son's view of Obama is typical: he is an outspoken opponent of everything Obama. BTW, he's also nine years old, and just shot his first deer on opening day a week ago (a link to pictures is available upon request). But it's not just my son parroting my own beliefs; he reasoned for himself that taxing people is the same as taking their money, and that it is stealing to take money from some in order to give it to others.
"Give me the child for seven years, and I will give you the man."
Re: Kids (and Their Parents) Just Don't Dig Obama Anymore
Doug Lee
Diane Ellis, Ed.
My youngest brother, now a 6th grader, reported that his teacher played a video of the Obama inaugural in class (at a private Catholic school!) and all of his classmates clapped vigorously except for him and his little buddy who protested in silent anger. · Nov 14 at 11:40am
Maybe it has something to do with where your little brother's Catholic school is located.
Yep, Santa Cruz County. Just about as blue as they come.