-----Original Message-----
From: Mark Benjamin [mailto:******@salon.com]
Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 2:33 PM
To: Finkenbinder, Benjamin N.; Singh, Priya; Hogan, Katherine J.
Cc: Mike Madden
Subject: Pool report
The president made brief remarks on Friday about his administration's
efforts to improve access to higher education.
He entered the Diplomatic Room (yet another oval room in the White
House) at approximately 1:45 p.m. Behind the podium is a painting of
George Washington. The oval walls are covered in scenes depicting
frolicking Native Americans and the bucolic life of early American
settlers. Roughly 25 writers, photo folks and camera people in the
pool attended.
Stephanie Stevenson, an African American Junior at the University of
Maryland who hopes to get her graduate degree in public policy,
introduced Obama. Stevenson is a first-generation college student.
Obama looked on from Stephanie's right while she read her
introduction. She emphasized the importance of higher education. Her
mother stood to her left.
Obama wore a dark suit, light blue shirt and slightly darker blue tie
with a pattern and, of course, his American flag lapel pin. Stephanie
wore a black skirt and a brown patterned blouse. Stephanie's mother
wore a brilliant pink skirt suit in a Jackie O style.
Stephanie's introduction lasted approximately two minutes. She then
stood to Obama's right.
Stephanie delivered her introduction smoothly. Obama, when he took the
podium, remarked, "She might have to run for something some day. That
was terrific."
Obama spoke with the assistance of two Teleprompters. He discussed his
administration's efforts to boost financial assistance for higher
education, which he called "sweeping steps" during his first months of
office. He called his administration's efforts the most significant
"to open the doors of college to middle class Americans since the GI
Bill."
Obama emphasized White House efforts to increase the dollar amounts of
Pell Grants and eliminate private lenders from their role as the
"middleman" in the process of providing loans to college students. He
said he would fight the "special interests" that would fight to keep
their role in that process. "They are gearing up for battle. So am I,"
he pledged.
Obama spoke for approximately nine minutes.
Mark Benjamin
Salon National Correspondent
Desk: 202 333-5696
Cell: 202 302-3769