Damon Weaver Stuck In Inauguration Ticket Snafu

While the struggle over at the Purple Ticket Gate at inauguration is the stuff of legend, it should be mentioned that there were plenty of people who reported snafus over at the Blue Gate as well. And among the people denied at that entrance? Our favorite ten year-old cub reporter, Damon Weaver, still has not been able to score that coveted interview with President Barack Obama. Why won't Joe Biden, Vice President and Homeboy, help?

The Palm Beach Post has the news:

Damon has been vying for an interview since Obama was elected. There have been disappointments along the way, especially Tuesday, when his blue ticket failed to get him a spot on the National Mall for the inauguration after he had waited hours.

He was waylaid by a broken generator that powered one of the metal detectors, causing backups in the security line that Damon and his TV production coach, Brian Zimmerman, were in.

It's nice to know that the problems at the Blue Gate aren't shrouded in mystery. Other than that, Weaver seems to have had a great Inauguration Week, meeting Oprah and Colin Powell, hanging out with the people at ABC News and joking with Diane Sawyer. Best of all is this:

After the interview, King made a major faux pas, at least for anyone who lives in the Glades. He told a national audience that Damon is from Belle Glade. (Damon quickly corrected him, saying his home is in Pahokee.)

He also previewed a question he'd ask Obama: "Will you let Joe the Plumber fix the toilets in the White House bathrooms?" Hopefully, the answer's no!

Comments

[neesy08]

Aww Damon! I am sorry you were one of the ones that had a problem! A a reporter, yor reporters pass should have been sufficient. Keep trying to get your interview with Obama! Keep up the good work! You are also an inspiration to black kids everywhere who may already feel that they have no hope at such a tender age.

[ishok]

I'm gonna say it... Damon Weaver is not a very good kid reporter. He is also getting a little big for his britches as far as I'm concerned. I personally think that there are plenty of inner-city minority kids that could have done a better job. That being said, I applaud his entrepreneurial spirit in riding this "gravy-train" as far as it will carry him.

[dct1999]

When did 10 year olds begin making decisions for themselves?

The stupidity on this thread is comical.

[jean22]

I agree with you Ishok. There ARE plenty of inner-city minority kids that could have done a better job and those are the ones that I would love to see get this sort of exposure and support. While I appreciate Damon's spirit his performance in my opinion was substandard, so much so that I found myself a little annoyed.

[neesy08]

No, there a re not plenty of inner-city kids who could have done this. It would never occur to most of tem to go into journalism, as they do not know any journalist. Shame on both YOU and ISHOK for your comments. That is why people were c heering him to victory. This is a child!

[neesy08]

I hope you are saying this in jest?

[ckfan]

Are you rally slamming a 10 year old child for not being good at something?

[kottison]

I didn't hear anything when he called Joe Biden his homie.

[cxdurden]

Why such the condescending comments about this kid? As an African American man, I am delighted to see someone like him take initiative and do what he is doing. Its refreshing to see a young black kid get to do this, especially when so many don't even get the opportunity to leave their immediate surroundings [neighborhoods]. This is very rare and he is a pretty intelligent individual. Stop judging him just because he doesn't speak perfect white english.

[CindyKay]

"Will you let Joe the Plumber fix the toilets in the White House bathrooms?"

Answer :

Maybe When He Gets A License

[realt123]

Damon needs a little bit more practice with his interviewing skills to stand out before he can interview POTUS. Otherwise there are a ton of kids who are more deserving to interview O. But O has a lot more important things in his mind right now, so Damon's interview will have to wait at least a year.

[TrueThis]

You're so...ignorant! This is a child and a very smart one at that.

[dct1999]

Explain "more deserving". Who are these "more deserving" kids? Where are they? Who gets to determine who is and is not deserving?

[Goldennurse]

Why don't the teachers just teach him the proper way to address the president and vice president. The students at the http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/atlanta/stories/2009/01/13/ron_clark_inaugural.html speak very respectfully about President Obama...addressing adults not just the president as sir and ma'am not "Homeboy" these teachers need to do better by this child...teaching him respect. Maybe than he may get that coveted interview with President Obama.

[DinSea]

Damon is a diamond in the rough. He needs a little polishing, but he is delightful! He can command an audience; we like to listen to him!

[Rapid Ray]

Damon is just a kid, yes, but he's more involved in the political process more than all the people who love to sit around and bytch about issues they don't fully understand.

Would he ask the tough questions and force the President into a political corner? Probably not, but I see no reason to think a ten year old kid shouldn't have a chance to reach a goal he sets. If not for the malfunction, he would have been standing right where he wanted to be standing on January 20th.

If he's ever brought to the White House as a guest, I'm sure not going to condemn anyone who helps him make it there. Who knows...maybe someday, Damon won't need an invitation. He can become President, just like any other kid.

[Eurovision]

There is nothing at all impressive about this kid. His fifteen minutes are over. If he wants to be journalist he should focus on his studies. Can we pleassssse move on?

[YouDisgustMe]

Mean.....h­ilarious..­.......but mean nonetheless

[neesy08]

I would think if he wants to be a journalist, his studies would includie reading and writing, don't you think? English? Proper grammar? How to construct a sentence , and how to construct a paragraph? Is that not what you need to know to be a journalist?

[joeblow]

I cannot express the level of joy that this kid whose welcome was over loooooooooooooog ago did not get his "interview" with President Obama.
With the economy in a vegatative state, the Middle East sitting like a powder keg, terrorism on the front and back burners, and so many other things going in the tank, do you want YOUR PRESIDENT talking to some language challenged kid asking questions like, "What do you want for your birthday?" Or, do you like football?"
Kid, not that it's a vocation of high honor, but you are not a journalist. You are not even at the blogger stage. You're a kid with a voice recorder. Pure and simple.
Go play marbles or hide 'n' seek or whatever children play nowadays. But YOU ARE NOT A REPORTER. Now, get outta here! And don't come back until you're smart enough to exercise good taste and discretion.

[Mdazes]

Dont speak too fast. The teacher made it clear on the Larry King Show Damon will be in Washington DC until Sunday

[mt13]

wow, you are nasty. this is a 10 year old kids we're talking about, one that has a fantastic personality. give him a break.

[sherbug]

Why would you discourage someone who is trying. If he was in the streets gang banging then you would have something to say. At least he's trying. We need to encourage our youth. He is the future of this country, like it or not.

[YouDisgustMe]

exactly

[Veeve]

Symbolism is the prime currency of our Commander in Chief. Pushing our children to strive is symbolism of the highest order. Thankfully, this administration knows this. I will not be surprised if Damon does get his interview; if not with our president, than perhaps our vice president again. Symbolism like this reaches thousands of our children. It is invaluable.

It feels so good to know that we finally have responsible leadership again. :-)

[dct1999]

Joy at a ten year old's disappointment?

W...T...F is wrong with you? Seriously.

[JinMN]

I saw him interviewing VP Biden funny. "He's my homeboy now"

[conniedogs]

Malia is ten and very well spoken....Damon better bring it. : )

[YouDisgustMe]

malia is also the daughter of two harvard law graduates....

[Goldennurse]

I did see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akgYH6l9YYo I agree Damon is a personable child,but I wanted to set the record straight that "homeboy" was said many times during every interview prior to the Inaugural Address. Does not matter really if the president is black,whit­e,asian,la­tino,etc..­.a 10 year old should not call the president and vice president his homeboys...again save that for his classmates. I hope Damon goes on to do great things...but with anything in life, let's give kids the correct information first...than he will have a least a higher standard to start from.

[Mdazes]

I agree with you, But dont blame the kid. The adults in his life should have sense enough to explain to the child how to address and speak to his elderly.

[YouDisgustMe]

point taken

[dutchess2]

On the other hand, who does it hurt to give the kid an interview, a few minutes, a lifetime of
joy and accomplishment that might stand him in too stead in his life...

Who would it hurt?

Surely adults in this place can make a bit of an accommodation for a kid - right?