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OBAMA PLAYS SANTA
Most adorable pool report ever after the cut…
04:56 PM
From: Talev, Margaret
Sent: Monday, December 21, 2009 4:50 PM
To: Finkenbinder, Benjamin N.; Hogan, Katherine J.
Subject: Pool Report #4 – more color from Boys and Girls Club readingUpon arrival, President Obama playfully asks kids, “Have you guys been good?” YES! they answer in unison, sing-songy. “Do you think you deserve cookies?” YES! “You sure, now?” YES!
POTUS was not wearing a Santa costume; just a suit and tie as earlier in the day.
Several of the kids already knew “Polar Express” in book or movie format. POTUS’ inflection and ad-libbing suggested that of an experienced bedtime-story-reading parent. (He even got into character during one passage where Santa says, “Ho, ho, ho” though POTUS’ imitation sounded more like “Huh, huh, huh.”) POTUS did not flinch when a sign fell off the wall and landed on the floor a couple feet behind him.
Later he told the kids he and his older daughter, Malia, had read all the “Harry Potter” books together.
He asked the kids what they wanted for Christmas but seemed surprised by their expensive and high-tech tastes, including iPods, cell phones and video games.
“Whatever happened to, like, asking for a bike?” POTUS asked. “Everbody has a bike,” one informed him and others agreed.
In another exchange, he asked a kid who wants a cell phone, “Who you gonna call?” Kid: “Everyone.” POTUS: “Like who?”
Later, one kid says Christmas celebrates “the birth of Baby Jesus” and POTUS said it also represents “the possibility of peace” and people treating one another respectfully. “It’s not just about getting a gift.”
They talked about the Three Wise Men, and how despite their status they came to a manger to pay respects to a baby.
POTUS tells kids to be kind to others and that “what’s important is the kind of spirit you have.”
Your pooler would note for those of you who haven’t seen the video yet that the children were all over POTUS, tugging on his arms, making small talk, trying to get him to stay. “I gotta leave now, I gotta go do some work,” he apologized to one girl.
The kids also were very respectful, saying “thank you” and even “thank you, Mr. President” as he stooped over them to pass around the cookies. “Go on and take a bite!” he prodded. He also did his standard speech on study your reading and math and you might be president.
He seemed to be enjoying himself very much.
At the end, Niko Letterbough, 7, gave him T-shirts for his daughters on behalf of the group, and asked if he’d come back and if he’d play him at Foosball.
“You know, I hate getting beat,” POTUS told him.”
“I’ll let ya win,” Niko said, and they fist-bumped. POTUS: “That’s what I’m talking about.”
No opportunity for questions.
Uneventful motorcade returned WH 4:13 pm
Margaret Talev
McClatchy Newspapers
I wonder if Chris Matthews would comment on this monochromatic crowd?
Bottom line: It’s an adorable story, custom-made for this holiday season. The kids were amazing and it is encouraging to see that they like the President. It’s hard to find a problem with any of this but that won’t stop some folks from searching for one. Maybe a Polar Express controversy? Nah, even that’s too milquetoast.
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Tags: Christmas, Pool Report, President Obama, White HouseOne Response to “OBAMA PLAYS SANTA”
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Wheres the white kids? Oh yeh I forgot its Obama. Check your genetics folks. He has more of his mothers genes than his fathers. So stop judging him by the color of his skin and start judging this guy by his actions. Ya know, this country was founded by people who were sick of an oppressife government which placed unjust taxes upon them. Now look what this country has become, the taxes and opression from this health snare crap is giving the government permission to regulate every aspect of our lives. Don't think so? Look at what these guys do with education and the highway funds. This country is in decline, falling the way of the Roman empire, our citizens are fat and lazy, our government is corrupt and evil. So long United States it was nice knowing you.