Obama Meeting Costs High School Class President His Office
It’s a controversy involving a president and a would-be commander in chief.
But the president, in this case, is an 18-year-old Pennsylvania high school student who claims he was forced to resign as head of his senior class because he skipped gym and left school to see Democratic presidential would-be Barack Obama.
Colin Saltry, a Scranton High School senior, and fellow classmate Joey Daniel reportedly bolted school on Monday to catch a glimpse of the Illinois senator during a campaign stop at “The Glider” restaurant, just minutes away from their school.
Saltry and Daniel say they met Obama, snapped photos with him, and even had the candidate sign excuse slips to present to their teachers.
But their decision to skip out did not sit well with school administrators, who said the students broke the rules by leaving school without permission.
Both Saltry and Daniel were issued one-day suspensions. Saltry also claims school principal Brian McGraw told him to “start writing his resignation letter,” according to the Scranton Times-Tribune Web site.
McGraw reportedly denied the claim and said Saltry voluntarily withdrew as class president.
The Obama campaign declined to comment on the controversy. McGraw was not immediately available for comment.
Meanwhile, students at Scranton High School expressed outrage over Saltry’s resignation, posting online messages of support on his Facebook.com Web page.
The group site, which claims to be the official site for Saltry’s future presidential campaign — “sometime in the next 40 years” — was inundated with postings Wednesday by students angered over their classmate’s punishment.
“Help keep Saltry in office,” one statement read. ” Voice your support here on the wall or on his wall…Thanks for sticking by him and let’s rock 2008 right to the very bitter end!!!”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
LOL! It looks like the future Democratic president needs to learn to follow the rules. I wonder if he runs in 30 or 40 years this issue will be brought up. I can see it now: “He skipped school when he was 18 to go to a political rally. Do we want a president who runs away from his obligations?” Don’t laugh. It’s not a stretch, considering the way politics are going lately.
Oh Please…. At least they weren’t out partying. They owned up to it, didn’t do anything illegal and they are serving 1 day suspension. Give the kid a break.
The student’s response is typical with Liberal Democrats. The school has rules and these two students broke them and do not want to pay the price. Liberals have been doing this for a long time! I applaud the school for enforcing the rules.
Well, I guess this young man’s actions did not conform to the public schools definition of a good “citizen”. How dare he try to further his education with some hands on experience, he did not get permission from big brother to do a “once in a lifetime” event. Shame on him
Public schooling at its best.
Society today and parents wonder what is wrong with young adults. Bottom line, it is a rule not to leave campus without and OK, but these students leave and everyone comes to their aid stating they have been wronged. Now if these students left campus and disappeared, there would be heck to pay. Everyone would wonder how the little darlings left and why nobody saw it happen. I’m sure lawsuits would take place, etc. When you are told not to do something and you do it anyway, you made an adult decision and should be willing to pay the price for your actions.
If Obama wins the White House he can give the students his first presidential pardon!
break the rules…pay the consequences. a typical democrat “president” expecting to not be held accountable for their actions while in office and “on duty”.
That is very unfortunate this young man was forced “asked” to resign. Why would he voluntarily resign? I am not at all condoning the young man or any of his counterparts to leave school without permission as the schools are responsible to a certain extent when youngsters are in their care. The young man in office should have received permission from his parent or guardian to either miss school or early dismissal to attend the once in a lifetime event. I do believe the school is acting rather harshly.
Where does Senator Obama get the nerve (or authority) to sign excuse slips for two high school students?!? If I was their parent…I’d be furious. He really does think a lot of himself! I guess I know his views on education and the role parents play. He’s the one that preaches that parents need to be involved and do more and he goes and undermines their authority. Shame on you Senator Obama.
Why the heck is this even ‘news’?!? The kid broke the rules - PERIOD. Is he supposed to get preferential treatment because he’s the class president?!? Or is it because he’s an Obama supporter?!? Bull!!! Rules are rules - no one is above them. NO ONE!