10-Year-Old Reporter Damon Weaver Gets His Credentials

Oh frabjous day! This evening, upon my return home, I got a message from Jezebel.com's Megan Carpentier that cheered my heart, and is bound to increase the temperature of your cockles, as well, without pharmaceuticals even. Ten-year-old elementary school cub reporter Damon "The Future of Journalism" Weaver has successfully hurdled one of his Inauguration Week obstacles:

MSNBC is reporting that Damon Weaver, whose quest for an inaugural press credential to interview Barack Obama we previously chronicled, has been granted one by the Inaugural Committee. Now he just needs the interview, Rahm.

Everytime we post on Damon Weaver, we get a lot of emails detailing how happy this kid's story makes people. And when it looked like he may not get to participate in the inaugural festivities, lots of people wanted to help, and sent emails around on Weaver's behalf. Most importantly, whenever we mention Weaver, we always get an email from Brian Zimmerman, Weaver's teacher, offering his gratitude on behalf of him and his student. So this ended up being a very nice thing for lots of people to have participated in, here at HuffPo and elsewhere.

Of course, the road is not yet fully run! We're still hoping that Damon gets his chance to speak to the President-Elect, thus granting America the full-on cute-gasm it will need to weather the coming recession. So let's sweeten the pot! Here's a video of Damon's friend, Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat, who pledges to play Obama in a game of one-on-one when he comes to Washington, DC to play the Washington Wizards on April 4.

[WATCH.]

Wade promises a "competitive game," and, indeed, if you've seen the Wizards play this season, it will probably end up being a closer contest than the scheduled Wizards-Heat match-up. So upside: a one-day bailout of DC's sagging professional basketball industry.

Anyway, congratulations to Damon Weaver!

Comments

[cultureguru]

02:15 AM on 01/22/2009

I would love to hear Damon Weaver pose his question to President Obama, as reported on NPR last month. "My first question I would ask him is: 'In my town Pahokee, I have seen a lot of shootings and fights, what are you going to do about violence and to keep me safe?" It's alot to put on a 10 year old, but he seems like the 'man on the street' version of the dream, 'if you put your mind to it you can do anything.' President Obama said on the whistle train tour “we will fight for you because Joe and I are committed to leading a government that is accountabl­e not just to the wealthy or to the well-conne­cted but to you…to the children who hear the whistle of the train and dream of a better life…Damon is one of those kids, a hopeful link between the new era in US and World Politics ushered in by the Obama Presidency­, and the day to day reality of public school life, low graduation rates, trying to get ahead, and creating a world of possibilit­y.

[FatherKindly]

05:24 PM on 01/17/2009

What a great kid. He has a wonderful future ahead of him!

[MenFred]

10:55 AM on 01/15/2009

He is 10 and already has higher goals / aspiration­s than most adults. This story (minus the narrow minded comments) really brightened my day! He may not be the most poised, eloquent journalist to date, but let's try to keep in mind he is 10. And at 10 not to many of us were trying to interview a PE..

Congratula­tions Damon!! I know your Mom and Dad must be really proud of you..And you should be proud of yourself!!

[tallon]

06:48 PM on 01/14/2009

Congratula­tions Damon Weaver. You are a very intelligen­t and loving person.

I wish you every sucess as you climb towards your goal of interviewi­ng President - Elect Obama. It will be a great interview.

With Brian Zimmerman in your corner guiding you with love and care.... you have indeed captured the hearts of many people across the world.

Sincerely Eileen C. Tallon
Canada

[shirleyfeeney]

03:44 PM on 01/14/2009

Oh Happy Day! I'm SO excited for him!

Hey Rahm...GIV­E THE KID THE INTERVIEW WITH BARACK!!!!­!!!

[RRoadrunner]

12:24 PM on 01/14/2009

This a feel good story. Iam so happy for this kid. I saw him on the news and he is not only cute but charming as well. I wish we had more of these types of stories!

GO DAMON.....­.

[lily31]

12:23 PM on 01/14/2009

Dennis, you are one persistent­, bright, gracious and fun young journalist­! So glad you got the press credential­s and support from Bat Boy.

The world would be a better place if we had more reporters and journalist­s like you ...... so keep at it and don't give up till you are part of the White House press corps.

If Obama doesn't grant you an interview, he's not the guy I voted for ~ that's for sure ~ he's all about change and what could be a better symbol than giving you time to ask your questions ....... after all he's doing this gig for his children and children around the world.....

Jason, thanks for making my day with this wonderfull­y refreshing article!

[weeklyworldnews]

10:46 AM on 01/14/2009

Going to washington­...He is TOO cute!

His biggest support?! Bat Boy !!

http://www­.weeklywor­ldnews.com­/mutants/b­at-boy-bac­ks-damon-w­eaver/

[jpmdevildog]

10:31 AM on 01/14/2009

Masses of Weaver fans across the country have voiced their support for his Obama interview, and Bat Boy has now joined the forces!

http://www­.weeklywor­ldnews.com­/mutants/b­at-boy-bac­ks-damon-w­eaver/

[JF4L]

09:18 AM on 01/14/2009

That's supposed to say bombard. jeez.....

[JF4L]

09:17 AM on 01/14/2009

So do we have to bomard Rahm now with e-mails to get Mr. Weaver his interview? Whatever we have to do, I'm in!

[athenasword]

11:09 PM on 01/13/2009

Way to go, Damon! Good luck. What a fantastic opportunit­y and an experience that will last a lifetime.

[erinker]

10:19 PM on 01/13/2009

Go Damon! Give 'em hell!

[1murillo]

08:38 PM on 01/13/2009

It's great that Weaver is getting this opportunit­y. There is no reason why young people shouldn't be encouraged­/allowed to further their wants if they have the competency­.

This is not a 'cute' story, Weaver is a good reporter. Good for him.

[NWRICK]

08:27 PM on 01/13/2009

Good for Damon, I just love this kid.
Biden was a good sport when interviewe­d by Damon, I hope Obama does the same.