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When Obama made five-year-olds cry... |
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By: Agencies |
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Date:
2009-05-23 |
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Place: Washington DC |
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A group of American parents are outraged after their children were snubbed by the White House for turning up late to meet President Barack Obama.
More than 100 five-year-olds woke up early on Thursday morning to travel from Stafford County, Virginia to travel on chartered buses to meet the president. But they reached 1,600 Pensylvania Avenue late and were firmly turned away.
"We were going to the White House, but we couldn't get in so I felt sad," said five-year-old Cameron Stine.
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All Smiles: Obama could not meet the kids as he had a luncheon with the Pittsburgh Steelers. | The person who headed this White House trip came out and said: I'm sorry, the White House tour's off. "There were a lot of crying kids," said a parent Barbara Stine.
The furious parents insisted they were just ten minutes late to meet the president.
They thought they were supposed to arrive by 10.15 am, and showed up at 10.25 am.
But the White House took a different stance. A spokesperson said the group had been told to arrive at 9.30 am.
The president had to rush to prepare for a luncheon with Superbowl champions the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"We have the President saying, 'Here we are for the common people,' and he is not letting 150 kids into the White House because he's throwing a lunch for grown-up millionaires," one parent said.
The White House released a statement: "The President and First Lady are dedicated to opening the doors of the White House to the public, and it is unfortunate to see young people miss a tour." |
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