How to be president

Posted: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:21 PM by Domenico Montanaro

From NBC/NJ's Aswini Anburajan
At a town hall today, a second-grader asked Obama how exactly one gets the opportunity to run for president.

"Here's what you gotta do," the presidential hopeful told the boy, boiling the process down to few simple steps.

1. "You have to work really hard in school and get really good grades."
2. "Who is this your grandma?" Obama asked the boy. "You have to do everything that grandma tells you to do."
3. "When you get out of school, then you gotta go to college."
4. "After you go to college, you have to hopefully find a job that's helping other people, so that people appreciate that you're helping them, and they'll say that Michael will make a good president some day."

"If you do all those things, then you just might be a president some day," Obama told young Michael. The audience seemed to agree with the recipe, cheering wildly.

Obama, pointing to the boy's grandmother, said he and Michael's grandmother would wait and see if he could pull it off.

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Comments

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
He forgot the part about being connected to rich and powerfull people and if you're not already related to them you need to let them know that you are for sale.

twocanpete (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:29 PM)

Yes he can!

John Mehan, San Francisco, CA (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:32 PM)

Ask yourself who the terrorists would like to see become president. It's a real easy question ... and
an easier answer.

Full Moon (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:33 PM)

Obama is such a great guy. I know the Hillary supporters are going to be screaming "THIS IS NEWS??!". But seriously, take a look at Obama. He has 2 young girls who look up to him. I dunno about you, but people tend to be more moral and ethical when they have younger kids who look up to them. I wish people could see Obama for who he is. People argue that Obama is bad based on EVERYONE else around him but never attacking Obama himself. Maybe there is something to Obama after all.

Johnson, New Orleans, LA (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:35 PM)

Too cute. My kids would love to meet him!

Obama 08

Lisa, New Britain, CT CT for Obama (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:35 PM)

Sweet. I never thought I'd say that about something a politician said.

Adriana, NY (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:36 PM)

Way to go Obama! Second graders need goals in "words" that they understand. My son had a grandma that used "words" to give ideas for their goals. I used "words" because Hillary has said that Obama is only "words", but to this day my son, who is almost 40 still remembers the "words" that my mother used in telling him how to achieve his goals. Thank you Obama.

Carmen Colorado (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:37 PM)

Yes WE can!!!
Obama '08

JohnnyU, WA State (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:38 PM)

Obama is wonderful.

Kelly M (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:38 PM)

Hillary or McCain, wouldn't know any of these steps. They were well connected.

sozzi, mamaroneck, ny (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:39 PM)

Yeah, OK Full Moon. I'm going to try and anticipate who the terrorists want to be President and then let them inform my vote. Yeah, I'm going to give them that power.

Get real.

Obama 08
YES WE CAN!

Lisa, New Britain, CT CT for Obama (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:42 PM)

The Clinton campaign responded by saying only someone as inexperienced as Obama could mistake this as a "recipe for one day becoming president" and insisted that the boy should instead live his life as though he were already elected. Sen. Clinton continued, "Having a plan to become president is the silliest thing I've ever heard. An announcement that you'll be running should suffice!" Noting that her campaign had taken this approach and has since come under pressure to abondon her presidential bid Sen. Clinton followed with, "Well you know, just wait and see, I will be the next president of the United States, mark my words!" She took no follow up questions. One can only wonder what she meant.

T (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:42 PM)

Ask yourself who the terrorists would like to see become president. It's a real easy question ... and
an easier answer.

The answer is;

I could care less what terrorists think.

adam/Brooklyn New York City (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:45 PM)

Was the boys grandmother "A typical white person?"

HP Boston (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:45 PM)

Full Moon - You're right. I'm not voting for McCain either.

Howard, NY, NY (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:46 PM)

This poor boy's political career is doomed. We know his opponent will dig up this video and release it as a negative ad in 2052 to tell voters that he had been planning to be President since 2008.

Memo to HRC Supporters, who are now boycotting MoveOn, Fox, MSNBC, CNN, and any other outlet that tells them the reality of defeat: The reason this story is news because it shows their pettiness for bringing up Obama's kindergarden essay.

Gary, Cleveland, OH (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:47 PM)

ya nObama has tow young girls he put in the pews of Pastor Wright with his hate spewing at them teaching them racist words about those bad white folks. Than if they get in trouble he doesnt want them punished with a child.Man Father of the yr.

Obama father of the year. (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:48 PM)

Ask yourself who the terrorists would like to see become president. It's a real easy question ... and
an easier answer.

Full Moon (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:33 PM)
******************************************************

Umm... I don't know. Osama bin Laden?

That's a REALLY relevant argument. Duh.

http://thepajamapundit.com/

the Pajama Pundit (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:48 PM)

Or you could always have your dad buy you a baseball team. One way or another really.

Glenn, Chicago, IL (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:54 PM)

This is a Clinton supporter/ superdelegate toeing the company line:

"If I had to make a prediction right now, I'd say Barack Obama is going to be the next president," he said just after 18:00. "I will be stunned if he's not the next president of the United States."

asked about the race going all the way to the convention.

"If I do the party line, I'm supposed to say -- and maybe I'll say just so if anybody hears it they can say well, 'Cleaver did the party line before he told the truth,' -- we believe that a contest going all the way to the convention is good for America," he said. In fact, he continued, it would be the "tragedy of tragedies."

T (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:55 PM)

You do realize that Obama also has a Kenyan Grandmother. Most kids abandoned by their Dads, would not continue an association with the Dads' family. Obama embraced his roots, and his Kenyan Grandmother, who I am sure is anything but ordinary by our standards. You give him little credit for being the gracious caring man that he is. Someone did a great job with this man. I think his White Grandmom, and his Kenyan Grandmom had some input, but the more I learn about his Mother, the more I wish she was here to see this. She sounds extraordinary, and outstanding. I think she shaped the man we admire today.

Pat Hammond, Indiana (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:57 PM)

Wonderful
This is why I love OBAMA

What would Hill say???
Marry into a political family and when your partner cheats on you let it go so he or she can try to help you be prez.
You also need to LIE, cheat, not do your taxes, dont pay your bills and most inportantly, make up a HUGE lie about yourself to look good

Nj (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:57 PM)

Obama father of the year. (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:48 PM)

And children having children out of ignorance is a blessing?

Full Moon (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:33 PM)

OBL wants McCain to be President because he'll continue to send America's most valuable resources to fight and die for oil. And while we are doing that, OBL will continue to laugh at the stupid Americans who did not vote for their economic best interests, but voted to continue fighting in the Police Action/quagmire that is Iraq.

Vote for the Democrats in 2008

Carol, Long Valley NJ (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:58 PM)

First Read- how about the news on Obama picking up another superdelegate- the youngest councilman to ever be elected in West Virginia? the numbers keep rising. Yes we can!

Keith (Wayne, NJ) (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:58 PM)

If we elect Obama, our energy crisis will end, because the light that shines from his soul could light the world. *Swoon*

Give me a break.

Jill F., Tulsa, OK (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:59 PM)

Speaking of grandmothers, of which I am one - if Barack Obama becomes our next president - I am bringing my 10 & 12 yr. old granddaughters to see him sworn in.

What a wonderful day that will be in DC. I hope you all think about heading there in January 2009.

We will certainly have cold hands - but that's okay; our hearts will be warm with thoughts of a brighter future for the next generation.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 4:00 PM)

He should have told the boy to throw his white grandma who raised him under the bus while loving that racist preacher...

Thank goodness Obama won't ever be president, but of course this post won't be shown because msnbc is the Obama network.

The Truth Hurts (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 4:04 PM)

I hope John McCain will come out and endorse Senator Obama, today, when he reads this account. I know, I know, that's delusional. But, in comparing the differences in their school visits, and what they had to proffer, it's astonishing

However, I hope McCain will do the honorable thing, and at the very least decide to run an honorable campaign against Barack should he gain the nomination. Afterall, honor, is his platform. We'll see.

We just love the Junior Senator from Illinois!

Pulling for Obama '08

donna, pgh., pa. (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 4:05 PM)

Ask yourself who the terrorists would like to see become president. It's a real easy question ... and
an easier answer.

Full Moon (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 3:33 PM)
--------------------------------------------------
Yea the simple answer is George W. Bush. This is the only guy dumb enough to keep spending billions in Iraq and forget all about the guy that was really behind 9-11.

In case you forgot it was bin Laden.

Bin Laden, 7 years, 7 months, and 20 days worth of freedom he shouldn't have.

Do you're job Mr. Bush, get bin Laden!

Tim, Reading, PA (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 4:05 PM)

The terrorist leaders would prefer to keep America in Irag so that they have a rallying point of killing the infidels who have invaded Islam. Bring the soldiers home, less violation of Muslim sensibilities.

Michael, Silver Spring, MD (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 4:08 PM)

Nice Truth hurts. You Hill people are really showing how CLASSLESS you are just like Hill

Nj (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 4:10 PM)

Forgive us Truth Hurts for we are just typical white people who must be taught by the great Obama. Does Msnbc post anything other than hillary bashing. God I am getting tingles all up and dowm my legs like Chris Matthews who has his head so far up Obamas butt he cant even breathe

Richd (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 8:37 PM)

It is amazing how stupid people can take something so special as a child's questions and turn it into a mockery, like some on this blog.

It was very nice and I can't beleive that Hillary would make such a comment on this story. Please tell me where to find that story, I really want to read it for myself.

Angelene, Pompano Beach, Fl (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 9:29 PM)

Guys did you check out the comments at Fox News? I cant believe that this is the America I live in. It is filled with Racist.

I hope our America is better than this.

JSmith (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 9:30 PM)

Obama is right on. We need new blood with a new vision to take this country in a new direction. As to the drum beaters speaking of terrorists - the terrorists have us where they never dreamed of getting us thanks to an administration and congress that that was/is so focused politically and financially on the "War on Terror" that they have seemed to forgotten about the "Homeland" politically and financially. While spending billions overseas the infrastructure of the US collapses. While focused on business external to the country the economy collapses. I call that "Homeland Insecurity". I believe Obama can lead this country, united, to a better future. He can do this because he will focus on the 80% that brings people together, not the 20% that divides.

Poacat, Tonasket, WA (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 10:41 PM)

THAT LITTLE BOY WILL NEVER FORGET HE GOT TO ASK OUR NEXT PRESIDENT HOW TO BECOME ONE!

Hillary is a disgrace to us Americans. She has totally lost it...April fool's bowling statement made me sick!!! Get her out of there.

Rita - Washington (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 10:52 PM)

>>>If we elect Obama, our energy crisis will end, because the light that shines from his soul could light the world. *Swoon* Give me a break.<<<

Why does it bother some people so much that one of our leaders might be motivating and far-sighted? People look at me with these dull eyes and regurgitate a line about needing "a fighter." Well, I'm tired of fighters. The fighters have fought me out of a job, and they've fought my cousin into a coffin. They've fought my neighbors into hating each other over stupid superficial details, and they've fought themselves into bags of money.

If I'm presented with the opportunity right now to elect somebody who shines even a little light, you can damn well bet I'm going to take it. Give me a break is right, Jill in Tulsa. I could use one.

Joe, Darby, Montana (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 11:27 PM)

As is often the case, those voicing the vitriol against Obama give no reasons, just baseless words. "He is going to lose" (no reasons given); "his pastor this or that" (=I am mindless and never took a look at the real man), on and on. The words "SPEW HATE" are used as if it refers to someone other than themselves.

On the other hand, those in favor of Barack tend to give reasons. Maybe that is why "HOPE" (vs. HATE) makes some sense to them - they think, consider, no knee-jerk primitive baseness (all too easily supplied by the Clintons for those who prefer to substitute crude emotion for thought.)

And, To WOMEN OVER 40 (and I have many in my family)- Please consider that you are being used. Yes, there is a logjam of frustration you feel, rightly; but don't let yourselves be duped through that. Hillary's campaign knows this is a weakness that can be exploited. If she would ever win, don't expect her to look to you again.

Jim B (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 11:39 PM)

Senator Obama,this will my message for you:"Either you become the nominee/president or not, you represent from the beginning of this race and through the history of our nation a real sample of leader we need to be,trying to unite a divided nation even though it will not be easy than dividing." God Bless You!

Eziani Adake, Charlotte, North Carolina. (Sent Tuesday, April 01, 2008 11:50 PM)

McCain should also just give up and concede the general election to Obama. After that we should revoke term limits.... Obama 08! Obama 2012! Obama....FOREVER!!!!

We are so fortunate to be blessed with such an amazing individual. Obama: what distant star did you come from?! My eyes fill with tears at the thought that one day he might leave us to continue his good works on another planet.

NE (Sent Wednesday, April 02, 2008 2:39 AM)

Clinton as president would promote woman power (which America has a lot). Obama as president would promote the power of Blacks (which is gracious and abundant).

Conrad See (Sent Wednesday, April 02, 2008 3:29 AM)

Good Advice Senator Obama...
The clouds may just open up again
and send down another ANGEL like you.

As for KILLARY'S comment... she's sick
and can't help her retarded @%S.
And KILLARY don't forget to testify this year
under OATH in the PETER F. PAUL CASE!!

peter f. paul.com

Will B. phoenix, az. (Sent Wednesday, April 02, 2008 7:21 AM)

Will B. phoenix, az. (Sent Wednesday, April 02, 2008 7:23 AM)

Obama is someone kids can look up to! That´s why young folks and the young at heart are rooting for him!And that´s good for the future of America!
Obama 08

hotstuff , Berlin, Germany (Sent Wednesday, April 02, 2008 7:51 AM)

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