Obama, speaking to the American Federation of Teachers, July 13:
But there is no program and no policy that can substitute for a parent who is involved in their child’s education from day one, who makes sure that child is in school on time, helps them with their homework, and attends those parent-teacher conferences; who is willing to turn off the TV once in awhile, put away the video games, and read to their child. Responsibility for our children’s education starts at home. We have to set high standards for them, and spend time with them, and love them. We have to hold ourselves accountable.
Obama, to Glamour magazine, today:
Everybody who knows Michelle knows how extraordinary she is. She’s ironically the most quintessentially American woman I know. She grew up in a “Leave it to Beaver” family. She is the best mother I know. And our kids are a testimony to that, because she’s really had to raise them, oftentimes without me being there.
When Obama says, “we have to hold ourselves accountable,” he means, “you guys have to hold yourselves accountable.”