A serpentine line of people waiting to see President Barack Obama at UT today stretched over a mile. A couple thousand were lucky enough to get inside the Gregory Gym to see the President during his afternoon visit to Austin. KUT News and the Texas Tribune's Ben Philpott reports on Mr. Obama's remarks on the Forty Acres.
August 9, 2010 · The President stayed away from this fall's elections during his 27-minute speech. After welcoming a number of elected officials, the only person mentioned specifically in the speech was Austin Congressman Lloyd Doggett. Instead he focused on policy goals for the country's colleges and universities, specifically talking about ways to make the financial burden of college a little more palatable.
Obama: "So, college affordability is the first part of the strategy we’re pursuing. The second part is making sure the education that’s being offered to our college students – and in particular, our community college students – is preparing them to graduate ready for a career. Institutions like the University of Texas are essential to our future. But so, too are our community colleges – a great, under-appreciated asset that we should value and support."
The President pointed to a new college tax credit of up to $10,000 over four years that he'll push Congress to make permanent. He also said that universities will also need to tackle increasing costs to keep tuition costs in line. Mr. Obama added that there will also be work for students to make sure they finish what they start.
Obama: "Over a third of America’s college students, and over half our minority students, don’t earn a degree, even after six years. So, we don’t just need to open the doors of college to more Americans; we need to make sure they stick with it through graduation."
Before his speech at UT, the President spoke to supporters at a luncheon fundraiser sponsored by the Democratic National Committee. The DNC says about $1,000,000 was raised. The President now flies to Dallas and another fundraiser, this one for Democratic Senate races.
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