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Daily Video

August 17, 2009

11-year-old Interviews President Obama

Damon Weaver, a south Florida elementary school student reporter, landed his biggest interview yet: a sit-down talk with the President of the United States.

President Obama spoke with Weaver at the White House last week. Weaver became a mini-celebrity during the 2008 election when he interviewed then Vice Presidential candidate Joe Biden – who agreed to be Weaver’s homeboy.

In the Obama interview, Weaver asks substantial questions about improving education and school lunches, while also fitting in some basketball questions. Excerpts from the interview appeared on the NewsHour.

Quotes

“All across America, money is being cut from education. How can education be improved with all these cuts?” – Damon Weaver, reporter

“So we think it’s important to put more money into the schools, but money alone is not going to make the difference. We’ve also got to improve how the schools are operating.” – President Barack Obama

Warm Up Questions

1. Do you have a journalism program at your school?

2. What would you ask President Obama?

Discussion Questions

1. What did you think of Weaver’s interview? How was it similar or different from other interviews you have seen with President Obama?

2. Why would President Obama agree to be interviewed by a kid?

3. Should more young journalists be in the national spotlight? Why or why not? Would they be taken seriously?

Additional Resources

Watch the entire interview

Tags:

Government & CivicsinterviewJournalismPresident Barack ObamaPresident ObamaSchool