Small Talk:Smiles for Prepubescent Political Pundits - Ron Clark Academy Raps

As Election Day looms closer, negative campaigning and stress over the fate of your favorite candidate may have you feeling a bit anxious. Luckily an adorably uplifting (and refreshingly bi-partisan) message from a group of politically savvy youngsters might improve your disposition.

A group of seventh grade students have been the center of much attention for their spin on this years presidential election. Approximately 30 students worked together to write and perform "You Can Vote However You Like," a wildly catchy remake of rapper T.I.'s hit song "Whatever You Like," that transforms an informed battle of political ideologies into hip hop with a message.

The good-natured and well informed students were discovered on YouTube after their initial performance video received Internet celebrity status with 300,000 hits. Since then the group has been featured by TIME and solicited by CNN and ABC - both wishing to witness the students' political enthusiasm first hand.

The "prepubescent pundits" attend The Ron Clark Academy, an educational institute with it's very own Cinderella Story. The school was founded by Ron Clark a teacher and educational innovator who dedicated his career to improving the academic lives of disadvantaged students. For his efforts, he has been met with great success, including accolades for his work by Oprah Winfrey who distinguished Clark as "Phenomenal Man".

Clark's teaching career has spanned across North Carolina, Harlem (NY), and most recently Atlanta, home of his school. He consistently advocates making connections with students, and his approach is routinely described as "unorthodox." Clark recently delivered the keynote address at the University of Oklahoma's Fall Forum on Local Excellence. During his speech he hopped, skipped, jumped, sang and rapped with enthusiasm to make his point, saying "school should be about energy and passion."

Clark is an ardent believer in challenging students, and states critically that "No Child Left Behind hasn't helped," pointing out that "in some instances it has caused us to 'dumb down' education. By doing that we're doing a disservice to the brightest kids in the country."

So, what is our best recourse? According to Clark: "We need to set our expectations high. And if we do, our students will respond."

If the following video is any indication of how Clark's innovative thoughts on education translates into the classroom - let us hope the broader national education system starts to listen. These students, articulate and learned, show a surprising depth in understanding the issues that far surpasses their age. The clips are entertaining in a priceless nature and are sure to leave you feeling good and proud!

CNN Interview with the Ron Clark Academy Students
(Special thanks to sonofthenile on YouTube for the video)


CNN Ron Clark Academy Students Perform "Vote However You Like"

(Special thanks to sonofthenile on Youtube for the video)

Lyrics - “You Can Vote However You Like”

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night, and
You can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can
vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

(McCain supporters)
McCain is the man
Fought for us in Vietnam
You know if anyone can
Help our country he can
Taxes dropping low
Don't you know oils gonna flow
Drill it low
I’m sure our economy will grow
McCain’s the best candidate
With Palin as his running mate
They’ll fight for gun rights, pro life,
The conservative right
Our future is bright
Better economy in sight
And all the world will feel our military might

(Obama supporters)
But McCain and Bush are real close right?
They vote alike and keep it tight
Obama’s new, he’s younger too
The Middle Class he will help you
He’ll bring a change, he’s got the brains
McCain and Bush are just the same
You are to blame, Iraq’s a shame
Four more years would be insane

Lower your Taxes - you know Obama Won’t
PROTECT THE LOWER CLASS - You
know McCain won’t!
Have enough experience - you know that they don’t
STOP GLOBAL WARMING - you know that you won’t

I want Obama
FORGET OBAMA
Stick with McCain and you’re going to
have some drama
We need it
HE’LL BRING IT
He’ll be it
YOU’LL SEE IT
We’ll do it
GET TO IT
Let’s move it
DO IT!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide, and
You can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

I’m talking big pipe lines, and low gas prices
Below $2.00 that would be nice
But to do it right, we gotta start today
Finding renewable, ways that are here to stay

I want Obama
FORGET OBAMA,
Stick with McCain you gone have some drama
MORE WAR IN IRAQ
Iran he will attack
CAN’T BRING OUR TROOPS BACK
We gotta vote Barack!

Obama on the left
McCain on the right
We can talk politics all night
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

Democratic left
Republican right
November 4th we decide
And you can vote however you like, I said
You can vote however you like, yeah

CNN - Ron Clark Academy Student Lone McCain Supporter
(Special Thanks to RadioVice on Youtube for the clip)


Sources & More Information:

• Ron Clark Academy Website
• You Can Vote However You Like | Alex Altman | Time
• Phenomenal Man: Mr. Clark's Opus | Oprah.com
• Ron Clark Stresses Passion For Education... | M. Scott Carter | The Norman Transcript
• Ron Clark on Energizer Keep Going Hall of Fame