President Barack Obama delivers commencement address
President Barack Obama speaks to a crowd of more than 80,000 Saturday at University of Michigan commencement.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
President Barack Obama, speaking to more than 80,000 people at the University of Michigan's spring commencement ceremony today, sought to inspire graduates to embrace a broad worldview and proffered a pragmatic defense of the role of government in boosting the economy.
Obama called on citizens to recognize that government needs to play a role in boosting certain parts of the economy. His statements come as the White House is facing a groundswell of skepticism over the government's involvement in the health care, financial and auto industries.
"Sometimes regulations fail, sometimes their benefits don't justify their costs. But what troubles me is when someone says all of government is bad," Obama said.
The White House told the Associated Press that the crowd inside Michigan Stadium was Obama's largest audience since Inauguration Day 2009. The White House told Bloomberg the crowd numbered 92,000, but U-M said it was closer to 80,000 and 85,000.
Obama mostly stayed away from partisan issues, however, choosing to implore graduates to seek out a diverse range of viewpoints on various topics, mirroring their educational experience.
"Don't narrow that broad intellectual exposure just because you're leaving here," Obama said. "Instead, seek to expand it. Include people in your circle who have different backgrounds, different experiences."
Obama drew laughter several times with a variety of references.
"It is great to be here in the Big House, so may I say, 'Go Blue!" he said to great applause. He went on to acknowledge that it was a "cheap applause line."
In the inspirational spirit of most commencement addresses, the president said graduates must not take America's global dominance for granted. He said the students who sat in these seats many years ago weren't complacent.
"They made America possible through their toil, their endurance, their imagination and their faith. Their success and America's success was never a given," Obama said. "And there's no guarantee (future grads) will enjoy the same opportunities you do. You too will have to strive. You too will have to push the boundaries of what seems possible."
Obama largely avoided specific references to issues or people in Michigan, but he did acknowledge the presence of Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Ann Arbor Mayor John Hieftje. He said U-M, which spent $1 billion in research in 2009, more than 60 percent of it federal funding, is "a place that's doing life-saving research and catalyzing economic growth."
More than 8,500 students received U-M degrees today, as the university hosted a sitting U.S. president for the first time since George H.W. Bush delivered the commencement address in 1991.
The speech comes as the Obama administration is enduring an intense wave of criticism over its involvement in the economy. His successful push to pass health care reform legislation and his current campaign to reform the financial industry have drawn heat.
"As this nation works through an economic downturn, your contributions matter," Coleman said.
Granholm got more political, praising Obama for delivering more than $60 billion in emergency loans to distressed automakers General Motors and Chrysler to support their bankruptcy filings in 2009.
"Thank you for supporting our auto industry," Granholm said. "General Motors, Ford, Chrysler. They all have bright futures now, where one year ago much darker clouds than these moved over ahead."
Granholm also hailed the Obama administration's commitment of $1.35 billion in grants to support the production in Michigan of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles.
The university's student commencement speaker, Alex Marston, delivered a 4-minute crowd-pleasing speech, referencing Obama's 2008 presidential campaign that focused on introducing change to Washington.
But "there are some changes that cannot be spun in a positive light," he said. "After all, there is no deli in the world that can match the pastrami at Zingerman's. And no burger's grease is quite as delectable as the grease of a Blimpy Burger."
Contact AnnArbor.com's Nathan Bomey at (734) 623-2587 or nathanbomey@annarbor.com. You can also follow him on Twitter.
Comments
rahul
Thu, Jun 10, 2010 : 3:12 a.m.
Coleman is the fifth highest-paid public school president in the country, according to a 2009 article in Business Week that used survey data from 2009-2010, she was a hardly women. Any Car Finance Mike,hast
Cendra Lynn
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 3:16 p.m.
Nice reporting except for the specious "as the White House is facing a groundswell of skepticism over the government's involvement in the health care, financial and auto industries." What groundswell? This is no different than a politician saying, "The American people want..." Approval by the audience in the stadium was huge. Your report was local. Stick to local, because if you want to talk about this supposed groundswell, you'll have to do facts and figures and turn completely away from the local report. You have a good journalistic style. Remove that sentence and I'll raise your grade from a C to an A. :-)
belboz
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 1:51 p.m.
Perhaps, but when I see the camera's and cell phones and binnocullars that are allowed - but an apple sits on the table - I'm a bit skeptical. Still a fun event...
DagnyJ
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 1:27 p.m.
It was all so terrific. Seeing the crowd light up when Obama walked onto the platform. Hearing his speech. Feeling the energy of the graduates. Watching the presidential helicopters buzz the stadium as the flew back to DTW. Loved it. Thanks Mr. President.
48104
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 1:10 p.m.
belboz, I have brought food into Michigan sporting venues many times, most recently last night. I think this was not about the vendors but about the better safe than sorry mindset of the screeners.
belboz
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 12:35 p.m.
Not being a huge Obama supporter, it was still a great experience to attend a presidential speech and witness the emotions and events around it. Everything from the motorcade, helicopter flight, security efforts, and a packed big house with people listening intently and respectful. I enjoyed the focus and agree with many of his points. He certainly is an excellent speaker and is very effective at captivating a crowd. Waiting in line for an hour at the food court was a big dissapointment. After an hour in line, I walked up to be told they were out of all food, water, and most other items - having to settle for Sour Patch Kids and a coke. Perhaps the university got the big picture planning right - from seating to security. But, they certainly failed the people who attended the event, telling people to leave apples, granola bars, and other food / water items at the gate. If you are so keen on making a buck, then make sure you have something to sell to the 80,000 people before enforcing such a rhidiculous policy at the gate. But, despite the inconveniences, it turned out to be a great day for a once in a lifetime event. Hopefully, his speach can sink in to the graduating class and both sides of the political spectrum. Oh, and poor Rich Rod. Getting thrown under the bus once again. Hopefully he also has thick skin.
jayroo
Sat, May 1, 2010 : 12:14 p.m.
Just got back from the ceremony and it went pretty smoothly. They didn't do the greatest job with organizing the lines into the stadium. There were hardly any protesters that I saw aside from the obnoxious abortion protesters who had their graphic pictures every 200 yards around the stadium. I actually heard a kid start crying after seeing one. You could just barely hear people screaming outside the stadium but it was drowned out by the speaker system and they must have given up after about five minutes. Obama's speech was good although it probably won't cause many headlines unless Drudge can find some spin on it. It was a nice experience and there was a very positive mood among the crowd. Glad I had the opportunity to attend.