LAS VEGAS -- It may have been the small, echoing gym filled with 2,700 yelling people, but at today’s campaign event, President Barack Obama felt more “fired up, ready to go” than he’s seemed in a while.
Today’s focus, like the two events yesterday, was education. But the president allowed himself to get a bit more expressive when talking about the importance of teachers.

Isaac Brekken / AP
President Barack Obama speaks during a campaign stop, Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2012, in North Las Vegas, Nev.
And while the actual content of the last two days' education-driven speeches hasn’t been incredibly different, the president’s tone seemed affected by the raucous crowd responses, including a sustained “four more years” chant to overpower a heckler who ended up being ejected from the event by Secret Service.
And this crowd also ended up drowning the president himself out as he finished up his speech, almost yelling: “We've got more veterans we've got to help. We've got more doors of opportunity we've got to open up to every single American. That's why I'm asking for a second term."
The president has spoken about his fifth grade teacher in the past, but bringing her up today allowed him to also put a personal spin on painting presumptive GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney as extremist on the subject of education.
Speaking at campaign rally in Las Vegas, President Obama says Mitt Romney's spending cuts would cripple schools while his tax cuts shower more breaks on millionaires. Watch his entire speech.
“The right teacher can change a child's life forever. Look, I know this from personal experience. When I was in fifth grade, I had a teacher named Mabel Hefty. That was her name. And she was a great teacher," Obama started into the story. "I had just come back from living a few years overseas with my mom and wasn't sure how I'd fit in. And she noticed that, Ms. Hefty. And she took me under her wing, and she made me feel like I had something to say, and that I had some talent."
"Gov. Romney says we've got enough teachers, we don't need any more. You know, the way he talks about them, it seems as if he thinks these are a bunch of nameless government bureaucrats that we need to cut back on. Those are his words,” the president added.
The president's latest campaign jaunt took him to Ohio and Nevada -- two important swing states -- to press the case for education as many students get ready to head back to school. His campaign released complementary TV ads to additionally pummel Romney on education cuts.
"I've got a question for Governor Romney. How many teachers' jobs are worth another tax cut for millionaires and billionaires?" Obama said Wednesday, using more pointed language toward his Republican challenger. "How many kids in Head Start are worth a tax cut for somebody like me who doesn't need it?"
But according to NBC’s Garrett Haake, Romney was ready with an educational response during an event Wednesday in Iowa.
“If you want to invest in young people, let me tell you what you need to do, Mr. President," Romney said. "You need to make sure that our K-through-12 schools are getting better, all right, that's number one. Not just talk, but actually getting better."


Romney and the GOP wants America to move more towards servant based economy/workforce. Doesn't take as much education to train a butler, maid, gardener or caterer. A smaller, less educated middle class means less competition for an established upper class. There already is an oversupply of lackys and flunkies in the corporate world. Grow the peon class because the turnover is going to be high when they start dieing off at a younger age.
Lead sentence: more “fired up, ready to go then he’s seemed..." It's more THAN. I could not read any farther and yes, it's farther not further, and yes, it's it's not its. I hope the TWO writers are unpaid interns. I can't trust anything beyond that sentence.
Wow,just found out from another post that Romney while against abortion,he sure profited from it.
Go to www.renewamerica.com/article/120822.He profited from incineration of aborted fetuses !!
Good for him less Future Democrats is always a good thing to behold.
Actually, they were teapartiers, that's why romney picked ryan, he felt some remorse
Sorry Democrats support the killing of babies. Usually a family that is Democrat makes Democrat voters. So I strongly support a womens right to kill babies. I was thinking we should not stop there perhaps we should give Democrats more rights and allow them to kill off unwanted children to the age of 17. Whats the difference. It would help the poor by allowing them a way to save money.
The President is always about a month ahead of rumney hood, rumney is still telling the lie about ObamaCare, the President has moved on to education and hiring more teachers, rumney is still bringing up the rear. The rumney/ryan plan will cut 114 billion from public education, that mean more teachers will loose their job, mabe rumney will outsourse them to china somewhere, ryan is also behind the "forceable rape" bill, I guess he don't know that all rape is forceable, thats why it's called rape, talk about pete and re-peat, throw in that third stooge, atkin and you have the heart of the teapublican party.
Tony. Read what you just wrote. I hope you don't vote. You are an imbecile!
Sorry,meant: http://www.renewamerica.com/article/120822
It is so scary how so many people are SO STUPID on here.... but, that is how the democrats keep their people in line... keep them stupid, offer them every imaginable entitlement and keep their votes coming. Some posts talk about loss of women's rights.... NO ONE is taking away the rights.... REALLY HIPOCRITICAL though, these same people screaming about a women's right to choose, and what they do in the bedroom(or wherever) don't want the government to interefere,and the government shouldn't, BUT WANT the government to pay for what they do in the bedroom....... The parasitic microbes that support Obama are very much like him..... NONE of them will accdept personal responsibility!!!!
NO MO FO FOWTY FO. Get that communist out of America! Romney/Ryan will do just fine
obama could care less about the quality of education our children are getting. He is pushing to hire more
union teachers, period. And that is the problem with our education system, we have teachers that are told
to pass stupid Leroy or Jim no matter how stupid they are. It's all numbers for the school districts. Get the
worthless POS federal government out of education and it will fix itself! Romney wants people of all color
to work and pay taxes to help America. obama wants all to stay home, not work, breed trash and big Gov.
will be their daddy. What the idiots don't know is what will happen when we run out of money to
keep people on food stamps. Does Greece ring a bell?
Can MSNBC slob Obama's knob more please? You guys are a mockery of journalism and everyone knows it.
Romney was ready with an educational response during an event at LeClair Manufacturing on August 22, 2012 in Bettendorf, Iowa.
But Romney said…
—Mitt Romney at a campaign event in Council Bluffs, Iowa, June 8, 2012
Bruce What flip flop?
Can you even read?
Aunt Anna, I CAN READ, but quite obviously either YOU cannot read or you cannot think or unfortunately BOTH.
You have obviously had an intellectual lobotomy as required by your GOP Mullahs, so you are now incapable of posting anything but insults and pre-written Party Talking Points.
(You are most probably among the same folks who have also undergone humor-ectomies! Which would certainly explain how easy it is for The GOP Mullahs to control you all.)
Here, let me splain it to you...
In the first quote above Romney says that the president needs to IMPROVE K-12 Ed. But in the second quote from just last month, Romney said Obama needs to FIRE K-12 teachers. Obviously Romney FLIP FLOPPED because you just can't improve K-12 Ed by FIRING the teachers YOU STUPID MORON!
He did not say fire anyone MR IDIOT? You insinuate it. It seems to me your first in line for the lobotomy.
I also wish to point out to you that educational standards have declined every year since the wonderful Federal Government has gotten involved in local schools. Compared to the rest of the world.
I also wish to point out to you that we also spend per pupil more money then the rest of the world.
Maybe something in that dim lighted organ between your ears might consider that schools need to be run by the local tax payers. And that parents need to be involved in a child's education and not treat schools as a baby sitter as they are in many districts today. Higher paid teachers that are union have not resulted in the bang for the buck as your fairy dust world thinks it has.
So Aunt Anna please explain how Romney saying
means anything else but FIRE government workers, including "teachers", because Romney has also said...
Aunt Anna, you need to get some help if you're having trouble understanding the TRUTH!
Cut back doesn't mean fire. If you look at what actually happen in Wisconsin more kept there jobs. That I can not say to democrat controlled states. The teachers and police took a beating and they are laid off.
I quit watching the Obama loving MSNBC station years ago and am much happier. You all can believe their lies all you want, but just know a six year old can figure this campaigns position better than most bias people. This president and MSNBC are nothing but liars to draw votes. Anyone who says different is a liar and Obama fan. Figure it out.
That's really hitting where it counts there Mr. Obama Only 1 slight problem. Local governments pay the teachers not the federal government. So just keep on keeping on. I suppose we should hire more federal employees to manage a new school giveaway then after that money is spent the local taxpayers get stuck with the bill. This guy really has no clue how things are paid...
How many of the "FOLKS came to the rally" Next question How many were paid to attend?
Love the photos with Obama always having "FOLKS" behind him. Ever notice they never show shots of the crowd?
How fake is that.
By the way we are not "FOLKS" we are Americans. So President Obama as a rich fat cat yourself quit speaking down to us.
I think many of these events are staged to a certain degree. However, I would imagine that if your candidate (be it Obama or Tweedle-Dum and Tweedle-Dee for Republicans) is coming to town, you would be excited to be there.
Anyway, it is a known fact that Romney shipped in black sympathizers (there are a couple I guess) for his great NAACP speech. What do you think about that?
That tell's me he will be losing in a land slide come November.
Ok Genius...
I thought "Hope and Change" meant that something would change?
It appears Democrats are stuck in “Escalation of Commitment” land.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irrational_escalation
http://www.cato.org/publications/congressional-testimony/impact-federal-involvement-americas-classrooms
When will the Democrats admit a Centralized approach with the Federal Government in charge of Education isn’t working? Why Do the Democrats keep blocking charter schools, etc.?
Maybe we should ask Obama why Public education isn’t good enough for his children.
Why do the Democrats keep saying we need to spend more and more money on a system that isn't working when there are other options available that do work and cost less money?
Instead of “Hope and Change” all we got was “More of the Same”.
Just curious. Several comments that some of you hate NBC/MSNBC and President Obama. So, why are you posting here? Why aren't you posting on what you believe to be a more right leaning blog? Do you think you are going to change any votes by insulting people? Some of you have very well thought out comments and are polite about it. Others...both sides....terrible way to speak about fellow Americans. Have a good evening.
Semper Fi
We love doing battle with you left wing communist loving liberal extremist... Next question?
Patricia 48: are you a rouge marine or a wanna be, as to your ill advised comment: YOU had better spread the criticism fairly. IT is very frustrating to present hard facts and have people,such as yourself, ignore them, change topic, and act totally stupid, as if you haven't been in this country for the last three and a half years! IT IS THE ECONOMY STUPID!!! YOU and Obama and others from the same pod, can try and bring up everything including the kitchen sink for diversions, because this guy has FAILED MISERABLY at everything he has tried, and DOES NOT deserve 4 more years to see how much worse he can make it on our country.... WHY don't you people get it????? ...are you void of any neurological functions and brain wave pattern???
Mr. Romney,
Your proposals to cut spending to school districts, cut teacher benefits and cut supportive services, such as janitorial work, etc will not, repeat will not make K-12 better. Neither will teaching to testing, a concept born during the Bush administration. What is gained from good teachers are the tools to be successful and the encouragement to be creative. Simply learning basics of math and science won't do it, and frankly, has never been America's strength. Still the US is the seat of the most creative thinking in the modern world, and the attraction to many to come here to accomplish what they cannot in their countries. Even India and China, which have made strides in that direction, still can't boast of creative genius as America can. I don't care if they can add and subtract better. They can't THINK better.
Better you should propose rewarding creativity amongst students and teachers, by increasing federal spending tied to that, as well as increasing the pay of teachers to attract the type of teacher that the President described, than to criticize unfairly the beneficiary of a teacher's good grace and talent about something his administration is attempting to do.
As with many things you do and say, Sir, you have no viable solution. They are just a bunch of hackneyed and useless words.
They have a solution. Just because you don't want to admit it doesn't make it so. Studies have shown that giving parents the choice to send their children to private and charter schools through voucher and scholarship programs results in less expense and higher success rates.
Any one want to guess what happened to that bill in the Senate? It passed in the House of Representatives 364 to 64. Does that sound like a Partisan Bill?
Why didn't Reid bring it up for a Vote?
http://www.ruraledu.org/articles.php?id=2763
David
Your telling me you send your children to a public school? Is it a inner city public school? I'm sure you as a parent would not mind if we bus your suburban kids into Detroit school district. That is a great example of a Democrat controlled city school. I assume that your aware that Obama intends to widen the tax burden onto the burbs to fund inner city schools. That way you as an evil middle class burbanite can pay for those less fortunate then you.... Great plan isn't it?
Studies also show that the kids chosen for that study were particularly motivated, of higher IQ, etc. Biased samples by biased investigators to make their point. In addition, that would make the education process unaffordable for many students who did not qualify. It basically selects a group to be successful leaving most others behind.
And there is more. The voucher system would include Religious schools, which by their nature, influence their students religiously. That's why people like Romney and Ryan propose them. They would like their particular brand of religiosity taught.
If the Republicans spent as much creative effort on how to make the US truly better, more egalitarian, and more democratic, instead of using that energy to screw the other guy that has differing views, then they would be worth consideration of truly being a worthwhile opposition. But they aren't because they can't think outside their narrow and revengeful box.
In reply to Aunt Anna,
I sent my kids to public schools, not because I couldn't afford private schools, but because my kids are bright, like diversity, and the schools I sent them to we're well thought of. Those schools were well supported and had dedicated parents.
Those are the same qualities that make kids successful not only in school, but in life. Well supported public schools with dedicated teachers and parents enrich education. at those that aren't, even in white districts, don't.
You skipped to entire inner city school part David. That is what I want to hear about any thoughts?
Inner City schools are beset by other problems. Because a student goes to private school means much less if he is surrounded be privileged kids, which he may be shunned, and then goes home to his neighborhood and family problems. Mant caring parents who could afford in the past to leave these neighborhoods would. Now, few can.
So basically, one has kids locked in their neighborhoods during the majority of their day, and unless they play sports, are also often shunned by their peers. I hate to stereotype these areas, but data shows conditions getting better, not worse as you seem to believe. The cycle of poverty is hard to break, but it can occur, just not with vouchers. Better to invest in magnet schools and work hard to convince parents to work with and dedicate themselves toward their kids well being. I believe that it is working in more communities and that more underprivileged kids are breaking out. There was a nice segment on NPR about a new pride and community springing up in Detroit. All people need are the opportunity to change their communities and public schools.
We really need to concentrate our efforts to improve community life no matter where. again, however, vouchers are a trivial part of that effort and ignore the real issue that there are not enough good private schools to make a difference, and that many kids would not be comfortable there.
David 604380 The plans and ideas put forth,so far ARE VIABLE... what the hell has Obama done OR toproposed that is actuallt viable,workable and doesn't require burying us further into an already deeper abysis than he has put us in??? NPR? That really explains and confirms so much!
the highest paid people in the massachusetts retirement system are all from the state university system.........you want lower tuition, have elizabeth warren and friends to take a smaller salary.... WHAT in the name of god could cost so much that a student needs to pay over $40,000 for a year of college. they take in millions of 'tax free' dollars..and still cry for more money. i cry FOR the people who paid the tuition and can't find a job due to obama's failed administration. the worse in history.
You are not serious, are you? Worse than Bush's? You must be related to G.W..
Those college professors deserve to live the high life. They actually never want to mingle with us low life "FOLKS" Must be great to also have a lifetime guarantee of employment even when you do nothing.
I propose we lower the salary of all university professors so that universities will be affordable for all Americans. They do not deserve any more then what anyone else in this country has. They love Marxism so much It is high time universities live by that belief.
What do you think Romney is? A coal-miner?
Both Romney and Ryan budgets rob from the middle class to give massive tax cuts to the top 1%. And then they pull up the ladder to keep the majority in their place.
Take off the blinders and do some research.
Reading is Fundamental...
Patricia- They are here because they like to whine and cry, MSNBC likes the President waaaa waaaa, and when the story isn't a positive story or makes the President look bad in any way, they feign surprise and claim they have never seen that before.
And the #1 reason Fox doesn't let anyone post anymore, Now I don't know that to be a fact, I've read that here! I stay away from all faux noise outlet's, don't want to rot my brain, or raise my blood pressure!
HUMMBIRD. I could not agree more. These jokers whine incessantly about the "Liberal Media" and brush off every single story which is does not reflect well on the GOP. Conversely, when NBC does a piece which is less than flattering to Obama, they accept it at face value as the gospel and then exclaim that this must be the very first negative piece on Obama that they have ever posted.
Which begs the question, what the hell are these losers doing on here if it is such a biased atmosphere? It would be like me spending hours on The Hooters Channel/Faux Nuze and ranting all day about how grossly biased and unjournalistic they are.
It is much to hard to have to consider any viewpoints from anyone or anything that might confuse the belief system of your savior and lord Obama. If you remain ignorant you will be much easier to control once we as a Democrat destroy all opposing thought in this country.
Please do not worry and stay calm we will soon in our second term outlaw the following.
Any protest that are in any way not approved by government authority penalty Death
Any use of public air waves that are saying anything not approved by your loving Democrat party Penalty Death
All books and print media will only be allowed to print approved articles. Again Penalty Death
After we do that you will feel no need to worry and we will make sure that you will be provided with food heat and shelter as required to sustain your self.
You do know that because of the Global warming issue we will need to shelter you in wonderful 1 room apartment buildings that all things will be monitored for your protection.
Have a great day your government is only concerned that you and your thoughts remain pure and simple....
ANNE, What the hell are you ranting about??? Paranoid much??? Absurd.
Oh and listen sweetheart, it's not the "Democrat" party but rather "Democratic" party. But since you Righties insist on getting it wrong it leaves me little choice from this day forward referring to the GOP as the "Republic" party.
It's not absurd. They were complaining about those evil fox news folks... You know the ones that state evil things about Democrats. As a Democrat we will control all that. As we control you now.
By the way my above statement has occurred repeatedly.
Historically I'm 100% correct. Big government brings big control.
For example
Nazi Germany
Stalin
Lenin
Castro (one of you favorites)
I suggest you look into how big government controls the population in the past.
Now we have
Drones in the USA
Homeland Security
Purchase in 2 allotments by homeland security enough ammo to shoot every citizen 5 times.
Yea I'm just paranoid and your a good sheep.... BAHHH BAHHHHH
All the way to slaughter....
Aunt Anna (right!),
I have tried to reason with you, but I have found you to be composed of tired old non-sensual talking points and have no substance at all. But then, that is your point,isn't it: to throw as much old mud as you can over and over again, because maybe it will stick?
I'm sure you hated the Day an uppity Black Man won the Presidency. Well, you have your wish. Now you can trash him with the goal of putting two White guys from your whites only Party into power, so you can suppress the minorities again. You coud be a sick old fool, but I believe you have no shape, substance or heart, a typical Automaton
The Nation is heading in the right direction. The economy has grown every quarter for the past 3.5 years, employment is growing every month for 3 years straight, the wars are over, Bin Laden is dead, the Nation is secure and has been kept safe from foreign adversaries to name a few of the biggies. He has earned and the people deserve four more years of President Obama's leadership. The GOP I guess will continue to obstruct and lie like they always do. FDR faced a similar GOP and he broke it off in them and they didn't win a Presidential election for twenty years and the didn't control the house for 60 years after the GOP failed to thwart the Nation's recovery fully. Live by the sword; die by the sword, GOP.
Wow such growth
Unemployment is only 4.5 percent.. Thats 100 percent employment really..
I'm so happy you corrected my wrong thoughts with such pure enlightenment... I'm hoping for real change this November. One that is based on facts. Not wishes or faked out crap from left wing authority groups.
Romney has a point, if students don't have access to their trust funds, why shouldn't they ask their parents to cut a check from their hidden Swiss, or Cayman, bank accounts for college. Simple as that.
Or just take a bag of cash from a Panamanian.
THRUSTIN/THURSTON, You know, I had never thought of it quite that way, but thanks for putting everything into perspective to me. I can't thank you and Willard enough for sorting this all out for me. And how is your dear old dad? Did he ever get off that island???
Perhaps we could all write a book about fake girlfriends that never really existed and sell them all to the Federal government like someone in power.
I got an even better idea
Lets just print 1 million dollars for each American. No more worries at all.
That's the Democrat plan I was told that by Harry Reid I know he would never tell a lie...
Regardless of which side of this campaign you cheer for, good for you, keep up the great American tradition of vigorous political debate. Having wished the best to both sides and taking neither side myself (I don't care, it'll all work out somehow), I am concerned about the way MSN reported the story. It seemed like an endorsement, a commentary about the President being "fired up" sounds more like cheer leading than reporting. I'm one guy with my own opinion that is no more important than anyone else's, but even I can see through a poorly veiled insertion of the reporter's personal preference over even a modicum of objectivity. I read my share of history; I know the story about Ben Franklin penning his own letters to the Editor (see Isaacson's excellent Benjamin Franklin) to support his own opinions, so the notion that American journalism is founded in the granite of honest objectivity is a lie, a lie that goes as far back into American history one can find. Having said that, there's a line purported journalist shouldn't cross, and this article crosses that line. A shame really. If you think I'm wrong, I'd like to hear your opinion and reasons how.
Your 100% correct.
If the illegal wasn't smuggled out of kenya he'd be snacking on flys waiting for a visit from sally struthers
JACK, if I didn't know any better I'd almost interpret your offensive post as being blatantly racist and thus making you an ignorant, bigoted slob. But that can't be what you meant by your post, right???
I would concur it was racist.
But he did not say black you inferred that from his statement. So perhaps you may be the racist?
Some Kenyans are very good hard working people. I would never as a blanket statement compare them to Obama who has known nothing other then government funded jobs all his life.
Obama Is The Most Fiscally Responsible President In a Generation
Shove this down your ZOMG Obama spends spends spends… There is NO fiscal way ROMNEY can improve on what Obama has done or is doing, period.
Obama 2012!
Wow I never knew that. I didn't know that Obama paid off the national debt. What a man. You Democrats really should let us know all this wonderful stuff. Does Obama also wear a blue suit and jump over buildings in a single bound?
May I suggest that perhaps America is getting tired of the lies?
Time to grow up Democrats. Becoming an adult and being responsible for your self is never an easy matter...... Quit expecting government to do it all for you.
ANNA, we sure as hell don't need lectures from the Right in regards to fiscal responsibility.
Evidently you've chosen to forget what a shambles your boys Dubya and Draft Dodging Dick Cheney left this country in. Let's see, Bill Clinton who weathered 8 years of the Right trying to destroy him, hands off to Bush a healthy economy, balanced budget with a surplus no less and a nation at peace. 8 years later Dubya hands Obama the worst fiscal crisis since the Great Depression (coincidentally also brought to us courtesy of the GOP) and two unnecessary, unending and UNFUNDED wars. Add to that grossly irresponsible tax cuts, particularly for the rich and you wonder why our economy imploded?
And you've got the gaul to question the fiscal sanity of the Democrats? Now that's rich, I must say. And your lecture on personal responsibility is downright nauseating. Is it fiscally responsible when GOP congressman direct useless military procurment contracts to their district to build weapons systems that even the Pentagon says we don't need? How about nutcases like Michele Bachmann receiving well over a $100,000 in farm subsidies for doing absolutely nothing? How about the billions we give Big Oil, again for doing nothing, as if they needed a handout. They're already some of the most profitable corporations in the world and yet the GOP insists on giving them billions every single year. Evidently that's what passes for fiscal conservancy is beyond laughable
And let's not for the words of that great statesman, draft dodging Dick Cheney, "Deficits don't matter".
@ Aunt Anna
h t t p://tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/05/federal-deficit-barack-obama-spending-stimulus-budget-historic-trends.php?ref=fpnewsfeed
Reading comprehension for the win? And your post would make sense if republicans didn't start the last 10 wars driving up the deficit. I personally think you Aunt Anna owes me money, for driving up the deficit supporting IRAQ war by voting Bush in, which drove the value of the dollar down. So you personally Aunt Anna owe each and every American paying for the GOP wars money, I will be waiting for my check.
Democrats are always more fiscally responsible then GOP historically. Tax cuts do not generate money... Look it up.
Yes you do. YOU can post all your plans in the reply......
Please
Lets start with your budget.
You only have 3 and 1/2 years to make one?
Obama is a Chicago Democrat, the top Chicago Democrat! The Chicago Public School system is a mess! The teachers are about to strike. Their students graduate at a 50% rate! ACT scores of graduates indicate that they are not qualified for educated occupations. Math and science is what? Obama was an Illinois legislator, a Senator, and now President. Chicago kids are worse off!
Republicans are toast. End of story. No sense spending any time here arguing.