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Giuliani falsely claims Trump disavowed birtherism 'years ago' – campaign live Giuliani falsely claims Trump disavowed birtherism 'years ago' – as it happened
(35 minutes later)
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Today in Campaign 2016
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In response to Rudy Giuliani’s claims about Donald Trump, circa 2012:
An 'extremely credible source' has called my office and told me that @BarackObama's birth certificate is a fraud.
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Rudy Giuliani falsely claims Donald Trump disavowed birtherism 'years ago'Rudy Giuliani falsely claims Donald Trump disavowed birtherism 'years ago'
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump made his first serious foray into American presidential politics in 2011, when he made himself the most public face of the so-called “birther” movement, conspiracists who believe the long-discredited theory that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States and is therefore constitutionally ineligible to serve as president.Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump made his first serious foray into American presidential politics in 2011, when he made himself the most public face of the so-called “birther” movement, conspiracists who believe the long-discredited theory that President Barack Obama was not born in the United States and is therefore constitutionally ineligible to serve as president.
Since deciding to become Obama’s successor, he has avoided answering questions as to whether he still believes that Obama was not born an American citizen, but that hasn’t kept members of the press from asking both the candidate and his surrogates whether Trump still subscribes to a conspiracy theory that many Americans see as racist.Since deciding to become Obama’s successor, he has avoided answering questions as to whether he still believes that Obama was not born an American citizen, but that hasn’t kept members of the press from asking both the candidate and his surrogates whether Trump still subscribes to a conspiracy theory that many Americans see as racist.
The latest surrogate: Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who told MSNBC’s Chris Matthews tonight that Trump had long ago dismissed the theory publicly.The latest surrogate: Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who told MSNBC’s Chris Matthews tonight that Trump had long ago dismissed the theory publicly.
This has never happened.This has never happened.
“I confirm that and Donald Trump now confirms that,” Giuliani said when Matthews asked him to confirm that Obama was born in the US. “He did that two years ago... two years ago. Three years ago.”“I confirm that and Donald Trump now confirms that,” Giuliani said when Matthews asked him to confirm that Obama was born in the US. “He did that two years ago... two years ago. Three years ago.”
Giuliani continued, blaming the fomenting of birtherism on Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign, due to some volunteers, later fired, who spread emails stirring the conspiracy.Giuliani continued, blaming the fomenting of birtherism on Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign, due to some volunteers, later fired, who spread emails stirring the conspiracy.
“The point is that Hillary Clinton’s campaign is the first one to do it because all she does is engage in negative campaigning against Barack Obama and against Donald Trump.”“The point is that Hillary Clinton’s campaign is the first one to do it because all she does is engage in negative campaigning against Barack Obama and against Donald Trump.”
“He is the one who got him to finally produce the birth certificate,” Giuliani said of Trump. “Hillary Clinton’s campaign first raised this issue.”“He is the one who got him to finally produce the birth certificate,” Giuliani said of Trump. “Hillary Clinton’s campaign first raised this issue.”
Matthews attempted to get Giuliani, as Trump’s surrogate, to commit Trump to declaring in public that Obama is a legitimate citizen of the United States within the next 24 hours, but Giuliani averred.Matthews attempted to get Giuliani, as Trump’s surrogate, to commit Trump to declaring in public that Obama is a legitimate citizen of the United States within the next 24 hours, but Giuliani averred.
“You are speaking for Donald Trump,” Matthews said, nearly shouting. “And we are ending this now because we are spending a lot of time on it but I think it is important. You say this president was legitimately elected president of the United States and you say your candidate agrees with you.”“You are speaking for Donald Trump,” Matthews said, nearly shouting. “And we are ending this now because we are spending a lot of time on it but I think it is important. You say this president was legitimately elected president of the United States and you say your candidate agrees with you.”
“I believe he was legitimately elected president,” Giuliani said. “And instead of talking about the fact that Hillary Clinton violated probably about 40 different federal laws, we are talking about this, which is ridiculous.”“I believe he was legitimately elected president,” Giuliani said. “And instead of talking about the fact that Hillary Clinton violated probably about 40 different federal laws, we are talking about this, which is ridiculous.”
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Speaking with Larry King on Kremlin-backed RT America, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump declared that he doesn’t want Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson to participate in upcoming presidential debates and criticized the candidate for revealing to MSNBC this morning that he did not know what Aleppo is.Speaking with Larry King on Kremlin-backed RT America, Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump declared that he doesn’t want Libertarian presidential nominee Gary Johnson to participate in upcoming presidential debates and criticized the candidate for revealing to MSNBC this morning that he did not know what Aleppo is.
“I don’t know that it’ll hurt him that much, frankly,” Trump said of Johnson’s comments this morning, in which he was asked how he would handle the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo, Syria.“I don’t know that it’ll hurt him that much, frankly,” Trump said of Johnson’s comments this morning, in which he was asked how he would handle the humanitarian crisis in Aleppo, Syria.
“But, you know, he didn’t know that. I saw that. And, you know, it maybe it’ll hurt him a little bit but I think he’ll scoot by. Look, he’s not too much of a factor. They seem to be going down. The other two, they seem to be going down a little bit - we’ll see what happens.”“But, you know, he didn’t know that. I saw that. And, you know, it maybe it’ll hurt him a little bit but I think he’ll scoot by. Look, he’s not too much of a factor. They seem to be going down. The other two, they seem to be going down a little bit - we’ll see what happens.”
Asked whether he would welcome Johnson to join himself and Hillary Clinton in the upcoming presidential debate at Hofstra University, Trump said no.Asked whether he would welcome Johnson to join himself and Hillary Clinton in the upcoming presidential debate at Hofstra University, Trump said no.
“I’d rather be Hillary and myself because we’re the only two with a chance of winning.”“I’d rather be Hillary and myself because we’re the only two with a chance of winning.”
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On “strength”:On “strength”:
USA stocks crushing Russian stocks last 5 years.5-year chart of S&P 500 v $RTSIUSA = Bluehttps://t.co/ZkwsiiqO1G pic.twitter.com/3oa8cnogs3USA stocks crushing Russian stocks last 5 years.5-year chart of S&P 500 v $RTSIUSA = Bluehttps://t.co/ZkwsiiqO1G pic.twitter.com/3oa8cnogs3
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Pool duty is hard work.Pool duty is hard work.
@HillaryClinton traveling press stills on the Tarmac in Kansas City. They tell me they are making "art." pic.twitter.com/8Uj514WIvq@HillaryClinton traveling press stills on the Tarmac in Kansas City. They tell me they are making "art." pic.twitter.com/8Uj514WIvq
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Hillary Clinton opens up about sexism in new Humans of New York postHillary Clinton opens up about sexism in new Humans of New York post
Lauren GambinoLauren Gambino
As a young woman applying to law school, Hillary Clinton learned a hard, everlasting lesson in gender dynamics that would help shape her public persona years later as a politician.As a young woman applying to law school, Hillary Clinton learned a hard, everlasting lesson in gender dynamics that would help shape her public persona years later as a politician.
In a rare and deeply personal interview on the popular blog Humans of New York, the Democratic nominee said the public’s view of her as “cold” and “walled off” is the result of having learned to “control” her emotions.In a rare and deeply personal interview on the popular blog Humans of New York, the Democratic nominee said the public’s view of her as “cold” and “walled off” is the result of having learned to “control” her emotions.
In the post, Clinton recalled sitting down to take a law school admissions test at Harvard. She realized looking around that room that she was one of just a handful of women taking the exam. As she waited for the exam to be administered, a group of men began to taunt the women, shouting insults like: “You don’t need to be here” and “There’s plenty else you can do.”In the post, Clinton recalled sitting down to take a law school admissions test at Harvard. She realized looking around that room that she was one of just a handful of women taking the exam. As she waited for the exam to be administered, a group of men began to taunt the women, shouting insults like: “You don’t need to be here” and “There’s plenty else you can do.”
“One of them even said: ‘If you take my spot, I’ll get drafted, and I’ll go to Vietnam, and I’ll die,’” Clinton said.“One of them even said: ‘If you take my spot, I’ll get drafted, and I’ll go to Vietnam, and I’ll die,’” Clinton said.
Clinton’s appearance on Humans of New York comes a day after the Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman, Reince Priebus, was roundly criticized for his musings on Clinton’s performance during the forum.Clinton’s appearance on Humans of New York comes a day after the Republican National Committee (RNC) chairman, Reince Priebus, was roundly criticized for his musings on Clinton’s performance during the forum.
@HillaryClinton was angry + defensive the entire time - no smile and uncomfortable - upset that she was caught wrongly sending our secrets.@HillaryClinton was angry + defensive the entire time - no smile and uncomfortable - upset that she was caught wrongly sending our secrets.
Clinton’s campaign fired back: “Actually, that’s just what taking the office of President seriously looks like.”Clinton’s campaign fired back: “Actually, that’s just what taking the office of President seriously looks like.”
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Sabrina SiddiquiSabrina Siddiqui
One day after Donald Trump reiterated his admiration for Vladimir Putin, saying the Russian president was a better leader than Barack Obama, Republicans on Capitol Hill struggled to explain why their party’s presidential nominee was enamored with a man they have long cast as one of America’s primary foes.One day after Donald Trump reiterated his admiration for Vladimir Putin, saying the Russian president was a better leader than Barack Obama, Republicans on Capitol Hill struggled to explain why their party’s presidential nominee was enamored with a man they have long cast as one of America’s primary foes.
Many Republicans who returned to Washington this week after the summer recess expressed confidence that Trump was improving as a candidate in both tone and message. But on Thursday, they found themselves in the familiar routine of distancing themselves from Trump’s comments – the latest being his praise for Putin in an NBC News national security forum held Wednesday.Many Republicans who returned to Washington this week after the summer recess expressed confidence that Trump was improving as a candidate in both tone and message. But on Thursday, they found themselves in the familiar routine of distancing themselves from Trump’s comments – the latest being his praise for Putin in an NBC News national security forum held Wednesday.
“If you’re running for leader of the free world and you’re expressing admiration for Putin, well then you’re losing me,” Lindsey Graham, a senator from South Carolina and former Republican presidential candidate, told reporters.“If you’re running for leader of the free world and you’re expressing admiration for Putin, well then you’re losing me,” Lindsey Graham, a senator from South Carolina and former Republican presidential candidate, told reporters.
“I think Vladimir Putin is a thug, a dictator, an autocratic ruler who has his opposition killed in the streets of Russia. He has dismembered his neighbor.”“I think Vladimir Putin is a thug, a dictator, an autocratic ruler who has his opposition killed in the streets of Russia. He has dismembered his neighbor.”
While Graham said he found Obama to be “weak”, “indecisive” and someone Putin had “walked all over”, the visibly frustrated senator added: “But no, I’m not going to say that Putin’s a better leader than a Democratic elected president of the United States even though I have differences with him.”While Graham said he found Obama to be “weak”, “indecisive” and someone Putin had “walked all over”, the visibly frustrated senator added: “But no, I’m not going to say that Putin’s a better leader than a Democratic elected president of the United States even though I have differences with him.”
It was just earlier this week that Graham, who has thus far declined to endorse Trump and has been among the candidate’s biggest critics, spoke positively for the first time of the direction his campaign had taken. After telling reporters on Monday that Trump would give Hillary Clinton “a hell of a race”, the senator hardly minced his words when reacting to Trump’s overtures toward Putin.It was just earlier this week that Graham, who has thus far declined to endorse Trump and has been among the candidate’s biggest critics, spoke positively for the first time of the direction his campaign had taken. After telling reporters on Monday that Trump would give Hillary Clinton “a hell of a race”, the senator hardly minced his words when reacting to Trump’s overtures toward Putin.
“This whole idea of admiring Putin is the biggest misunderstanding of a relationship in a person since Munich,” Graham said.“This whole idea of admiring Putin is the biggest misunderstanding of a relationship in a person since Munich,” Graham said.
Marco Rubio, the senator from Florida who made his opposition to Putin a central tenet of his own presidential campaign, similarly disagreed with Trump’s assertion that the Russian president was a better leader than Obama.Marco Rubio, the senator from Florida who made his opposition to Putin a central tenet of his own presidential campaign, similarly disagreed with Trump’s assertion that the Russian president was a better leader than Obama.
“Look, I have tremendous policy disagreements with President Obama, but Vladimir Putin is an authoritarian thug who is accountable to no one,” Rubio told the Guardian.“Look, I have tremendous policy disagreements with President Obama, but Vladimir Putin is an authoritarian thug who is accountable to no one,” Rubio told the Guardian.
“I don’t think what Vladimir Putin exhibits is leadership. I think what he exhibits is thuggery … and we should be clear-eyed about that,” he added, noting that Putin controlled the media, the military and often his political opponents were either imprisoned or found dead.“I don’t think what Vladimir Putin exhibits is leadership. I think what he exhibits is thuggery … and we should be clear-eyed about that,” he added, noting that Putin controlled the media, the military and often his political opponents were either imprisoned or found dead.
Asked by the Guardian if he was concerned that Trump had a penchant for commending Putin, despite those facts, Rubio said he was hopeful the candidate’s posture might evolve.Asked by the Guardian if he was concerned that Trump had a penchant for commending Putin, despite those facts, Rubio said he was hopeful the candidate’s posture might evolve.
“My sense is those views will probably change once he understands better who Vladimir Putin truly is – that’s my hope,” responded the senator, who is backing Trump.“My sense is those views will probably change once he understands better who Vladimir Putin truly is – that’s my hope,” responded the senator, who is backing Trump.
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Who could it be?Who could it be?
Kagan on social media: "I'm pretty confident none of us have Twitter accounts—or maybe one or two of us do and they're under a false name."Kagan on social media: "I'm pretty confident none of us have Twitter accounts—or maybe one or two of us do and they're under a false name."
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The Associated Press has deleted a two-week-old tweet in which it falsely characterized half of Hillary Clinton’s meetings during her tenure as secretary of state as having been held with donors to the Clinton Foundation:The Associated Press has deleted a two-week-old tweet in which it falsely characterized half of Hillary Clinton’s meetings during her tenure as secretary of state as having been held with donors to the Clinton Foundation:
AP deleted an 8/23 tweet on Clinton's meetings at State that omitted key context. Details: https://t.co/V2wfiijZqd pic.twitter.com/KweL8QrWefAP deleted an 8/23 tweet on Clinton's meetings at State that omitted key context. Details: https://t.co/V2wfiijZqd pic.twitter.com/KweL8QrWef
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Trump: Hillary Clinton believes in 'globalism, not Americanism'Trump: Hillary Clinton believes in 'globalism, not Americanism'
Tom KutschTom Kutsch
Donald Trump today attacked Hillary Clinton for espousing “trigger-happy” interventionist policies which he said has made the US less safe than ever before. The Republican presidential nominee also targeted the Democrat for what he said was her belief in “globalism” instead of “Americanism”.Donald Trump today attacked Hillary Clinton for espousing “trigger-happy” interventionist policies which he said has made the US less safe than ever before. The Republican presidential nominee also targeted the Democrat for what he said was her belief in “globalism” instead of “Americanism”.
Trump repeated his claim to have been opposed to the Iraq war for which Clinton voted “from the beginning”, a claim which has repeatedly been shown to be untrue.Trump repeated his claim to have been opposed to the Iraq war for which Clinton voted “from the beginning”, a claim which has repeatedly been shown to be untrue.
The Republican nominee was speaking in Cleveland, a day after taking part with Clinton in a “commander-in-chief forum”, hosted by NBC and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, in New York City. That event offered a preview of the forthcoming presidential debates and led to criticism of the host, Matt Lauer, over his questioning of the two candidates.The Republican nominee was speaking in Cleveland, a day after taking part with Clinton in a “commander-in-chief forum”, hosted by NBC and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, in New York City. That event offered a preview of the forthcoming presidential debates and led to criticism of the host, Matt Lauer, over his questioning of the two candidates.
“She believes in globalism, not Americanism,” Trump said. “On top of it all, Hillary Clinton is trigger happy.”“She believes in globalism, not Americanism,” Trump said. “On top of it all, Hillary Clinton is trigger happy.”
The Cleveland speech was ostensibly dedicated to education policy and school choice. But Trump devoted significant time to well-worn campaign themes, including a lengthy prelude about what he called Clinton’s “criminal cover-up” over her use of a private email server while secretary of state, her views on foreign policy and her record in office, and what he said were her frequent factual misrepresentations.The Cleveland speech was ostensibly dedicated to education policy and school choice. But Trump devoted significant time to well-worn campaign themes, including a lengthy prelude about what he called Clinton’s “criminal cover-up” over her use of a private email server while secretary of state, her views on foreign policy and her record in office, and what he said were her frequent factual misrepresentations.
Earlier, at a press conference on an airport tarmac in White Plains, New York, Clinton criticised Trump’s comments at the NBC forum about Russian president Vladimir Putin, of whom the Republican has often spoken favorably and who, he said on Wednesday, has “been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader”.Earlier, at a press conference on an airport tarmac in White Plains, New York, Clinton criticised Trump’s comments at the NBC forum about Russian president Vladimir Putin, of whom the Republican has often spoken favorably and who, he said on Wednesday, has “been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader”.
Clinton said: “Now that is not just unpatriotic and insulting to the people of our country as well as to our commander-in-chief. It is scary.”Clinton said: “Now that is not just unpatriotic and insulting to the people of our country as well as to our commander-in-chief. It is scary.”
Trump said: “She tried to make up for her horrible performance last night. So she went on the tarmac and told more lies.”Trump said: “She tried to make up for her horrible performance last night. So she went on the tarmac and told more lies.”
Trump chose again to highlight his own historic statements in opposition to the Iraq war and call out Clinton’s 2003 vote in support of it, when she was the junior senator from New York.Trump chose again to highlight his own historic statements in opposition to the Iraq war and call out Clinton’s 2003 vote in support of it, when she was the junior senator from New York.
“Iraq is one of the biggest differences in this race,” he said. “I was opposed to the war from the beginning.”“Iraq is one of the biggest differences in this race,” he said. “I was opposed to the war from the beginning.”
Trump read aloud statements he made to Esquire magazine in August 2004, more than a year after the start of the Iraq war, in which he was critical of US policies in the country.Trump read aloud statements he made to Esquire magazine in August 2004, more than a year after the start of the Iraq war, in which he was critical of US policies in the country.
“The media is so terribly dishonest, so I had to do this,” he said.“The media is so terribly dishonest, so I had to do this,” he said.
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Mike Pence: It is 'inarguable' that Vladimir Putin is superior to Barack ObamaMike Pence: It is 'inarguable' that Vladimir Putin is superior to Barack Obama
Indiana governor Mike Pence has defended running mate Donald Trump’s declaration that Russian president Vladimir Putin is a superior leader compared to US president Barack Obama, telling CNN’s Dana Bash that it is “inarguable” that the Russian strongman is better than Obama.Indiana governor Mike Pence has defended running mate Donald Trump’s declaration that Russian president Vladimir Putin is a superior leader compared to US president Barack Obama, telling CNN’s Dana Bash that it is “inarguable” that the Russian strongman is better than Obama.
“I think it’s inarguable that Vladimir Putin has been a stronger leader in his country than Barack Obama has been in this country. And that’s going to change the day that Donald Trump becomes president,” Pence said.“I think it’s inarguable that Vladimir Putin has been a stronger leader in his country than Barack Obama has been in this country. And that’s going to change the day that Donald Trump becomes president,” Pence said.
In NBC’s “Commander-in-Chief” forum last night, in which Trump and rival Hillary Clinton were separately questioned about matters relating to the military and national security, Trump told host Matt Lauer than Putin, who he has previously praised, has “been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader.”In NBC’s “Commander-in-Chief” forum last night, in which Trump and rival Hillary Clinton were separately questioned about matters relating to the military and national security, Trump told host Matt Lauer than Putin, who he has previously praised, has “been a leader, far more than our president has been a leader.”
Trump has been publicly enamored with the Russian strongman since the primaries, and is given to inaccurately repeating the anecdote that Putin once called him “brilliant.”Trump has been publicly enamored with the Russian strongman since the primaries, and is given to inaccurately repeating the anecdote that Putin once called him “brilliant.”
“I think when he calls me ‘brilliant,’ I’ll take the compliment,” Trump said last night about Putin. “If he says great things about me, I’m going to say great things about him.”“I think when he calls me ‘brilliant,’ I’ll take the compliment,” Trump said last night about Putin. “If he says great things about me, I’m going to say great things about him.”
The story refers to remarks Putin made in December 2015, in which the Russian president - who has been criticized internationally for the invasion and annexation of Crimea, the murder by poisoning of a Russian citizen and has been implicated in the death of an investigative journalist, although Trump has dismissed such claims as baseless - when Putin used the word “yarkii” (or яркий) to describe Trump.The story refers to remarks Putin made in December 2015, in which the Russian president - who has been criticized internationally for the invasion and annexation of Crimea, the murder by poisoning of a Russian citizen and has been implicated in the death of an investigative journalist, although Trump has dismissed such claims as baseless - when Putin used the word “yarkii” (or яркий) to describe Trump.
The word means “brilliant” or “bright,” but in the sense of spectacle or shininess - akin to “flashy” or “flamboyant.”The word means “brilliant” or “bright,” but in the sense of spectacle or shininess - akin to “flashy” or “flamboyant.”
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Indiana governor Mike Pence doesn’t speak Hebrew - not that that’s a prerequisite for the office of the vice president - but according to The Forward, it makes reaching out to Hebrew-speaking voters a little, well, tricky:Indiana governor Mike Pence doesn’t speak Hebrew - not that that’s a prerequisite for the office of the vice president - but according to The Forward, it makes reaching out to Hebrew-speaking voters a little, well, tricky:
The Republican vice presidential candidate was photographed holding a sign written in Hebrew that was supposed to read ‘Make America Great Again’ - but translates roughly as ‘To Reverse America to Great Once More.’ The first word on the bottom of the sign is a verb in its infinitive form, making it confusing to Hebrew speakers from the get go.The Republican vice presidential candidate was photographed holding a sign written in Hebrew that was supposed to read ‘Make America Great Again’ - but translates roughly as ‘To Reverse America to Great Once More.’ The first word on the bottom of the sign is a verb in its infinitive form, making it confusing to Hebrew speakers from the get go.
This sign translates as “To Reverse America to Great Once More.” Close enough, right? https://t.co/vjhulbhlNL pic.twitter.com/lv1PPbAGj7This sign translates as “To Reverse America to Great Once More.” Close enough, right? https://t.co/vjhulbhlNL pic.twitter.com/lv1PPbAGj7
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David SmithDavid Smith
As the election nears, the Obama swan song continues with ever growing poignancy. Today, first lady Michelle Obama hosted her fifth and final class of national student poets at the White House.As the election nears, the Obama swan song continues with ever growing poignancy. Today, first lady Michelle Obama hosted her fifth and final class of national student poets at the White House.
“Well, I have to say that this event - I’ve said this too many times, because we’re celebrating a lot of ‘last’ here this year - but this is the last time that we’re going to have the pleasure of welcoming a class of national student poets to the White House, at least under this administration,” Obama said. “So I’m feeling a little melancholy here, because this has truly been an honour and a privilege and a joy.”“Well, I have to say that this event - I’ve said this too many times, because we’re celebrating a lot of ‘last’ here this year - but this is the last time that we’re going to have the pleasure of welcoming a class of national student poets to the White House, at least under this administration,” Obama said. “So I’m feeling a little melancholy here, because this has truly been an honour and a privilege and a joy.”
The first lady condemned the “pretty devastating” cuts to art and music classes in schools across the country that preceded her husband’s administration. A recent Washington Post article suggested that arts communities feel let down by the president for not showing a greater interest.The first lady condemned the “pretty devastating” cuts to art and music classes in schools across the country that preceded her husband’s administration. A recent Washington Post article suggested that arts communities feel let down by the president for not showing a greater interest.
But Obama said: “Barack and I also happen to be pretty huge poetry fans ourselves. My husband considers himself kind of a poet, but we’ll see. We’ll see. Maybe when he’s done he’ll write one for me. You hear that, honey? So that’s kind of where the idea of the national student poet programme came from.”But Obama said: “Barack and I also happen to be pretty huge poetry fans ourselves. My husband considers himself kind of a poet, but we’ll see. We’ll see. Maybe when he’s done he’ll write one for me. You hear that, honey? So that’s kind of where the idea of the national student poet programme came from.”
Obama also recalled the first White House poetry jam in 2009 where Lin-Manuel Miranda rapped about Alexander Hamilton, soon to be expanded into the hit musical Hamilton, “one of the most extraordinary pieces of art that I - and probably so many others - have ever seen”.Obama also recalled the first White House poetry jam in 2009 where Lin-Manuel Miranda rapped about Alexander Hamilton, soon to be expanded into the hit musical Hamilton, “one of the most extraordinary pieces of art that I - and probably so many others - have ever seen”.
But it was a poetry medley by students past and present, beneath a portrait of Abraham Lincoln in the state dining room, that moved Obama to the brink of tears on Thursday. “If we ever wonder...” she began, sighing with emotion, “if what we do makes a difference, it does.”But it was a poetry medley by students past and present, beneath a portrait of Abraham Lincoln in the state dining room, that moved Obama to the brink of tears on Thursday. “If we ever wonder...” she began, sighing with emotion, “if what we do makes a difference, it does.”
Her voice still low and unsteady, Obama added: “Thank you everyone for all of this. Thank you, guys. I’m so proud of you. That was beautiful. You guys are awesome. Have a great year.”Her voice still low and unsteady, Obama added: “Thank you everyone for all of this. Thank you, guys. I’m so proud of you. That was beautiful. You guys are awesome. Have a great year.”