Damon Weaver, Junior journalist at the White House
EmailABC News' Vija Udenans reports: Damon Weaver, an 11-year old journalist from Florida followed his dream to get an interview with Pres Obama at the White House yesterday. The student from Kathryn E. Cunningham/Canal Point Elementary school in western Palm Beach County Florida had interviewed Vice-President Biden on the campaign trail. Today he told ABC News that “President Obama is not much long-winded as Biden”. He compared both men favorably saying, “Both are nice, both give good on details” and he likes to “hang around with both of them.” He had specifically wanted to know if the president “had the power to improve school lunches”, because they “have a bad taste.” If Damon had his wish, school lunches would include “mangoes and French fries” but the president encouraged the young man to “eat his lunch to grow big and strong”. Damon got the big scoop that the President will give a back-to-school address to kids on Sept 8 and stress the importance of education. If there were any other politician to interview, the young journalist wants to find someone to talk to him about education. Damon would like to see “single gender classes” because “some kids in class focus on boys and girls.” Damon’s face lit up as he described meeting with the First Dog. “Bo is a pretty dog. I like his 2 front feet. He listens to some of his commands. I told him to sit, but he laid down. When the pictures were done, they told him to get up, but he put his head down!” Now that Damon has interviewed the leaders of the free world, politicians hold no more allure for him. He says politicians are “fun” but ” I got what I wanted.” He wants to interview football players next. He readily admits that he does not plan on becoming a fulltime journalist; he wants to be an astronaut. After the whirlwind White House visit, Damon Weaver’s words of advice to other kids, “Think positive, go to school, do your homework, and if you have a dream, go for it.” (PHOTO CREDIT – Steve Joya) –Vija Udenans
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i think this was nice to see young people incourage to do things they want to become it help him and others that follow your dreams stay away from drugs do to others like you want done to you that working hard is the way and god fristyou can go all the way
Posted by: lou starkey | August 14, 2009, 11:25 am 11:25 am
Jake, was this “power, pop or probings?”
Good job Damon. Remember that in a free society you can be anything you want to be.
Posted by: Thank a vet today | August 14, 2009, 11:54 am 11:54 am
Maybe this was more real than the Fake little girl at the NH town hall meeting that Obama planted and gave her a question to ask…HOw stupid is Gibbs and company to think that they could plant someone in the audience, and people not find out that her mother works for and met with Obama LMAO
Posted by: stardate: 2730.9 | August 14, 2009, 12:06 pm 12:06 pm
Another Presidential photo-op?
Really, we all know this stuff is totally orchestrated, for serving up to the public.
Now, can we get back to the serious stuff?
Posted by: Rick McDaniel | August 14, 2009, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm
“the president encouraged the young man to “eat his lunch to grow big and strong”.”
Any youngster of an age to be told such a thing is TOO young to be used as a publicity prop. Every time Oblabla’s in trouble, the White House pops out performing children.
It is rather disgusting exploitation of children.
Posted by: Bet Noir | August 14, 2009, 12:43 pm 12:43 pm
Obama: “Damon, uh, um, uhhh, let me be clear. Those bad-tasting lunches? They are left-overs from the Bush administration. I have appointed a School Lunch Czar, so expect better lunches with plenty of baloney and pork, but nothing fishy.”
Posted by: Boogey Man | August 14, 2009, 1:09 pm 1:09 pm
The Democrats continuing war on Americans is astonishing.
Obama, Pelosi and Reid actually believe that lying, berating, belittling, dismissing and name calling against ordinary Americans is the best strategy.
This country is sinking fast unless we get control out of Obama’s hands. It starts with taking Congress away from the Democrats in 2010.
Wake up, folks.
Posted by: Tom | August 14, 2009, 1:35 pm 1:35 pm
Innocuous photo-op?
Cue the right wing screeching.
Posted by: Ryan C | August 14, 2009, 1:38 pm 1:38 pm
Jake I guess they got you to do the light stuff to keep away from the tough questions you usually ask…I feel for Major garrett at FOX gibbs won’t be calling on him anymore after he asked the press secretary how is the white house getting emails when none was solicited
Posted by: phillysmart | August 14, 2009, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
Harmless photo op to distract from the harm being done by this president.
Apparently, the left is running out of Kool-aid. Might it have something to do with the sugar shortage I’ve been reading about?
Posted by: Left wing is the new right wing | August 14, 2009, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
I love this country and I would like to say that I was surprised how little people who run education system in this country understand the basics and reality. In America people think that all problems can be solved by throwing money at them. I disagree.
Guess what ? I am from a so called “Third World” country , my school and my teachers were nothing like the facilities provided to kids in schools here in America, but I worked hard on my education and today I am working for American companies. I went to school in the states , did research , my GPA is 3.97/ 4.0 , I worked as a TA and I think I know more than most fresh American college graduates in America.
If only kids over here were taught the value of working hard and parents paid little more attention to kids, took away their stupid video games…this country will no longer have to sponsor work visas for foreigners like me..but I am not complaining…Thank you USA!!
Posted by: Ankur | August 14, 2009, 1:57 pm 1:57 pm
No one is hating America here!!
I love this country , it has given me so much. Education , well being and good friends. American people are very generous people.
What is wrong with your head ? This is another problem here, if someone criticizes just a little bit you get all defensive. And a lot of my friends here agree this is a real problem.
I feel sorry for you buddy.
Posted by: Ankur | August 14, 2009, 2:26 pm 2:26 pm
I enjoy when presidents do this sort of thing. I’m glad to see that Damon got to meet Bo– what a treat. The young man’s advice to other kids was spot on and I’m glad he got this platform to spread the word. Cute story, Vija. (pay attention, folks, Jake did not write this one)
Moderates weren’t required to screech, were we, Ryan? As I recall the protocol, it’s conservatives screech about Obama photo ops, liberals screech about Bush photo ops, moderates are permitted to skip the screeching.
Posted by: moderate | August 14, 2009, 3:01 pm 3:01 pm
Wonder if Obama still needed to use a teleprompter for this interview.
Posted by: Jimmy | August 14, 2009, 3:05 pm 3:05 pm
Cue the left-wing whining..LOL..
Posted by: Parallex View | August 14, 2009, 4:08 pm 4:08 pm
I remember Damon:) I love this, and I love his advice to other kids. Good for you Damon!!!
Posted by: Alyson | August 14, 2009, 5:27 pm 5:27 pm
Glad you manifested your “Dream Big Dreams” Next year come by The White House to Celebrate Barack Obama’s Birthday and help ALL THE CHILDREN “Dream Big Dreams”.
Posted by: Makiah Miller | August 14, 2009, 6:47 pm 6:47 pm
People this kid back in November said he wanted to interview the President. This is just something Obama is doing to help the kid fulfill his dream. Nothing political about this.
Posted by: They Call Me Mr. Tibbs! | August 14, 2009, 8:50 pm 8:50 pm
Jimmy | Aug 14, 2009 3:05:47 PM– You know when you say that, it show’s you’ve got nothing! I’m glad this young man finally got the interview! I think we will be hearing great things about him in the future!
Posted by: Try the truth | August 15, 2009, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm
Nice for him to do this for this kid, but I really am bothered by the idea that the POTUS is going to stop a school day to address children like he’s some tin pot dictator.
Excuse me, but make a speech and have a press conference if you want to talk education. Get out of the classroom, you’re the President not a King.
My kids might be sick that day.
Posted by: JR | September 1, 2009, 3:32 pm 3:32 pm