Do As I Say, Not As I Do

July 2008: It's irresponsible when my opponent suggests it for the masses...

On Sunday, Obama spoke to the American Federation of Teachers, via satellite, after the union of 1.4 million teachers and other public school staff endorsed the Illinois senator for president. Obama pledged he was against vouchers to send children to private schools.
 
“His only proposal seems to be recycling tired rhetoric about vouchers and school choice,” Obama said of McCain. “Now, I’ve been a proponent of public school choice throughout my career. … We know well-designed public charter schools have a lot to offer, and I’ve actually helped pass legislation to expand them.
 
“But what I do oppose is using public money for private school vouchers. We need to focus on fixing and improving our public schools, not throwing our hands up and walking away from them,” Obama added.

November 2008: ...but any reasonable person can see that important politicians deserve a wider range of options.

"A number of great schools were considered," said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, a spokeswoman for Michelle Obama. "In the end, the Obamas selected the school that was the best fit for what their daughters need right now."

She said Sidwell can provide the security and privacy that Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, will need as part of the new first family and Sidwell can help with that. She also said that Sasha and Malia had become good friends with Vice President-elect Joe Biden's grandchildren, who go to the school.

Having enjoyed the benefits of a good private school, I can only congratulate Obama's girls on escaping from the woeful DC public school system. I suppose it's just icing on the cake that they get to hang out with Joe Biden's kids, instead of whatever slum-dwelling troglodytes they might otherwise be forced to rub shoulders with. How fortunate for them that their father doesn't actually believe what he says in campaigns!