Julia Scharfstein, Campus and City Editor
January 4, 2012
Filed under Campus and City, Top Stories
President Barack Obama spoke about the steps he intends to take to protect consumers from “abusive financial practices” during a speech Jan. 4 in the North Gymnasium.
The visit was the president’s second appearance at the high school in the last two and a half years.
All seniors were invited to the speech, and a limited number of free, first-come-first-serve tickets were distributed to the public at 6 p.m. Jan. 3 at the administration building. Police and Secret Service efforts to ensure security were prevalent and affected the school community. Parking was prohibited around the Oval, and only the front parking lot was open for employee parking. Streets around the high school were blocked off, and police and Secret Service were stationed throughout the high school. Areas of the school, including the hallway and stairwell leading to the choir room, were closed to traffic.
Students and teachers claimed to have seen Secret Service display weapons around the high school.
Everyone who attended the speech was required to go through security checks similar those performed at airports. Members of the community were chosen to stand on stage behind Obama during the speech. The speech was broadcast in the Large Auditorium for students and teachers who were not able to get tickets.
Shaker was first notified of Obama’s visit Dec. 28, forcing a scramble to make all the necessary preparations.
“I thought it was great that Obama came to speak at Shaker a second time,” senior Nathan Immerman said. “The country is facing a difficult issue with the economy, and it is important for the president to discuss solutions with the American public.”
Tim Mitchell, IB coordinator, appeared on stage behind the president.
“Obama is one of the most naturally charismatic people I’ve seen up close. In that, the speech was very impressive,” Mitchell said. “But, I hoped to hear a speech that was more substantial and more specific with how to move forward with the economy.”
Obama first visited the high school in July 2009 when he took part in a town hall meeting about health care. Wednesday’s speech occurred the day after the Iowa GOP presidential caucuses, which Republican candidate Mitt Romney won by eight votes.
During the 19-minute speech, Obama praised former Ohio attorney general Richard Cordray, whom the president recently appointed director of the newly created Consumer Financial Protection Agency. “Richard is the right man for this job. If you’re a student, his job will be to protect you from dishonest lending practices and make sure you have all the information you need on student loans,” Obama said. “If you’re a veteran, he’ll help make sure you aren’t taken advantage of when you come home from serving our country. And if you’re a senior, he’ll help make sure you don’t lose your home or your retirement because someone saw you as an easy target.”
Obama said he would continue to help create “an America where hard work and responsibility pays off. An America where anyone who puts in the effort and plays by the rules can get ahead.”
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