Frankly, I don't think it has to do with public schools not being good enough and has everything to do with his children's safety. If you have the money that will allow your children to go to a school that is located outside of a neighborhood that is rife with drug dealers, crackheads, and violence, then you get your kids to that safe school. Sure, public schools in Chicago desperately need to be fixed and the city is working on that through its Renaissance 2010 initiative. Even at some of its best public schools where students perform well above the state average and probably could compete on a national level, there is insane neighborhood violence those schoolyards. My company was recently prepping for a press conference with the mayor at one such high performing Chicago Public School and there were two separate shootings within two blocks of the school for the two days leading up to the event. There are children who are playing outside, children who have to walk to and from school in that area. Tell me, would you send your kids to a school that was located in an area where they risked being shot or seeing their classmate shot - even if it was the best school in the nation?

Rachel, I agree that "guvment" schools are not safe, but guess where Obama wants us sending our kids? And as for safety of his daughters, well let's just say that with a secret service detail everywhere they go, I don't think they will worry about shootings or schoolyard beatdowns. This is not limited to the Obamas, as it is a political hypocrisy. It is rare that politicians live as they would have us live. I believe Obama will take this hypocrisy to a whole new level.

Yes, Mr.O speaks out of both sides of his mouth--it is good enough for you yet not me. So, what famous politicians practices what she preaches--Palin! She puts her children IN public school while working how to change and improve the system. First hand knowledge is a big driver of getting something accomplished.

If you are concerned about the state public education in the U.S., you might be interested in what Chicago is doing to reform its public schools. In 2004 Mayor Daley along with Chicago Public Schools CEO, Arne Duncan, launched Renaissance 2010 (Ren10), a bold initiative to create 100 schools of exceptional quality by 2010 in the city's most underserved communities. The new schools luanched through Ren10 are granted greater autnonomy from the district and its policies in exchange for higher accountability standards.

One such Ren10 school, Urban Prep Academy for Young Men Charter School - Englewood Campus, is a great example of what public education can be when educators and school leaders are freer to innovate. You can learn more about the school here:
http://www.urbanprep.org/

If you are interested in the initiative, you can also learn more about Renaissance 2010 here:
http://www.rsfchicago.org

As a side note, President-elect Barack Obama has on many occasions said that he has taken lessons from the Chicago model of school reform. That model, Ren10, allows parents to choose which public school they send their children to. They don't have to send their kids to the traditional neighborhood school. This notion of school choice is contrary to the notion of many of Obama's critics who say he wants to limit our choices. In a sense, Renaissance 2010 is creating a new market of public education in Chicago. You can read the NYT article about Obama's stance on education here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/us/politics/10educate.html

Rachel, I like that you are lucid in your comments. You appear to be an Obama fan. And though he may be "making strides" in his change for Chicago schools, I still see the hypocrisy of where his daughters are going. Obama had ample time to make a difference in Chicago. He was too busy sponsoring or co-sponsoring over 800+ bills that went nowhere, whereas had he focused on education, perhaps Chicago would have a more reasonable solution to their dismal schools. Is he and Daley alone in this, no! This same dual-standard is in practically ALL our large cities, bastions of liberal virtue. But if there is one candidate who claimed to be the candidate of change, then prove it. Hat tip to Jean who points out that Palin's kids attended public school, and she was a governor, not a lowly jr senator.

Final point. Do you know that it is practically impossible to get into the school where Obama's daughters attend?

Again, great response, and I applaud all real efforts to get people educated properly. But I still see them as hypocrite, though they are taking baby steps to right their wrongs.

Kevin, I am so glad to have made your aquaintance. I appreciate the humor and the substance of your posts. Good stuff all around! -Rob

Thanks for the "shout out" Rob. I liked your last post as well.

You tell ‘em the truth, Kevin! The Chicago school system is a mess and has been for years! Obama sent his girls to private schools there and did not allow those folks that wanted vouchers to have the same opportunity that he and the Mrs. wanted for their children. In regards, to Secret Service, they can be where ever necessary. Jimmy Carter had Amy Carter in public school and the world was dangerous then.

Give the People back their money, shut down the public school system (it is a huge failure) and let schools compete for my child!

Lisa, I agree, let's take the schools private!