A higher education in the 21st century cannot be a luxury; it is a vital necessity that every American should be able to afford. I want all these young people to be getting a higher education and I don't want them loaded up with tens of thousands of dollars in debt just to get an education. [*applause*] That's how we make America great. [*applause*] Of course that means all of yall have gotta hit the books. [*laughter*] I'm just saying. Don't cheer and then you didn't do your homework. [*laughter*] Because that's part of the bargain. That's part of the bargain. America says "We will give you opportunity but you've gotta earn your success." [*applause*] You're competing against young people in Beijing and Bangalore. You know, they're not hangin' out. [*laughter*] They're not gettin' over. [*laughter*] They're not playin' video games. They're not watching Real Housewives. [*laughter*] I'm just saying it's a two-way street. You've gotta earn success. [*applause*] That wasn't in my prepared remarks. [*laughter*] But I'm just saying. [*laughter*][*applause*]
QUESTIONS:
Your thoughts on the President's off-script message?
How does this speech square with the government hand-out caricature of Obama that conservatives often accuse him of being?
Does the federal government have a role to play in providing access to education?
Is our youth, in particular the Black youth, being distracted w/ Video Games/Real Houswives/etc.?
