I'm a former teacher, and the problem here is that Obama's using the video as part of his campaign "literature", whether it is for fundraising or not, is using the students to further his campaign. To do that, he should have asked for permission, including the permission of the students' parents. It doesn't have to be a political campaign. The same rules would apply if say a science teacher had students make a video on the horrors of using animals for testing and allowed the antivivisectionists to send it out with one of their mailings. I applaud the teacher for getting his students involved in the campaign, and I understand why Senator Obama would be proud of what he saw, but how would you feel if a teacher had his students make a video with your child in it extolling the virtues of the McCain campaign? An angry parent would have grounds to go after the teacher. It was naive for the Obama campaign not to get permission first. Hopefully, the parents will support the use of their children based on the quality of their work and obvious joy in doing it. Without parental support, the school will have a valid complaint. With it, the school might let it pass.

Uh OH!!! He's gonna get detention !!!! He's gonna have to stay after school for a MONTH!!

Watch the video, he's not in trouble, unless the headline was attached to the wrong article. Obama should consider being the "Secretary of Education".

"In Trouble"???

"Obama In Trouble For Using NYC School In Fundraising Email" - This was the headline on the Politics Front Page.

I see nothing that shows he is in Trouble for anything.

Oh my God!!! The Messiah Obama has committed a misdeed. Let's keep propping him up.

What? Where is the beef? A none story!

From what I understood its not him thats in trouble its the school administration from where the tape came.

Carol

This is the dumbest BS argument yet. The video was wonderful and insightful from kid"s perspectives, Obama happens to inspire them. Where"s the rub?

Of course, this video could have just as easily been about how Hillary is inspiring as well.* dripping sarcasm*

This is an absolutely amazing video and I urge everybody to watch it. To see these kids in South Bronx - I'm a NYer and all NYCers know the South Bronx - come alive with this vital interest in the political arena and to see how the candidacy of Barack Obama has changed their lives is remarkable. Barack Obama as president of the United States would have such positive repercussions is the USA and in the world.

Would this be a problem if the Bronx school was not in New York? Hmmm, perhaps Hillary's people might be feeling a little upset that the students are not loving her. I hope the school realizes this - the students have been ignited to care about politics. This is a good thing. I guess the second lesson is that you want them to learn as Bill Clinton says, don't get involved in politics if you don't want to get tackle or risk an occasional clip.

The video wasn't made for the purpose of fund raising. The video wasn't filmed by Obama or his people. I think the issue might have been that the school did not make their policies known well to the teacher. However, considering how the students are speaking about being inspired, it would be unfortunate for the school to proceed to cause harm to the candidate that they support. It doesn't seem as though they were forced to make the video.

this story is false and should be amended or removed

the e-mail I got asked for no money at all

The email was just something to accompany the video. It was not a fundraiser email.
The video is one anyone would appreciate seeing. It was really one of the best of the campaign.
Watching it is a very heartwarming experience. The teacher and teens are just great!

I saw the video and I thought it was great. My daughters and I watched it and we all cried. I think everyone should watch it. It shows the positive impact Obama has on our youth. Nowhere did I see a link for donation,cause I would've definitely given my share.

oh please every single email they send out has a donate link at the bottom, it's part of the template. there was no specific appeal for donations in this email.

No money was ask in the e-mail. Is this another smear??

No where in the following email does Michelle as for money.
Here is the email if huffpo allows it:

My Name --
Today is the 40th anniversary of the tragic assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and I want to share a video that reveals how far we've come and how much this campaign owes to Dr. King's legacy.

Students at a high school in the Bronx, who had no real interest in their government, have found new hope. They were surprised by their own excitement and engagement, but to me, they embody so many reasons why Barack and I decided to get into this campaign.

It's truly moving to see young people inspired by a political leader -- someone who gives them hope and reminds them that they can be anything they want to be if they work hard.

In the words of our Vice President:

So?

Question to anyone who is signed up to get e-mails from the Clinton campaign:

Is there a standard "donate" button on those e-mails?

Are you serious? I got this email and it was the furthest thing from a cynical attempt to make money off King's death. Who the hell is posting this crap on here? Every day the sensationalized headlines and BS stories on this site get worse and worse, did you recently undergo some sort of personnel change or what? Is Ickes or Penn running the show now?

I'm very disappointed in this garbage. You should be ashamed.

I received this email ... I'm not sure why it is an issue ...

It had a very inspiring video of how high schoolers have been inspired by Obama's run for office and his speeches. I know HRC has had a bad week, are you guys just looking for something negative to run on Obama for appearance's sake? Cuz, really, I didn't find this at all inappropriate. I didn't donate because I recently gave him another $25 last month.

Guess he won't be doing the same over the tragic death of Matthew Shepard.

I linked to the Swamp article and it is complete BS. I have this email from Obama's campaign in my inbox and it talks about the video and the legacy of MLK. There's the standard "donate now" button that is in every email but in no way is this a "fund raising" email using MLK. In fact, I've received maybe at most handful of emails in the last several months that actually asked for money directly and I get usually one email or so a day from the Obama campaign. The Swamp article is disingenuous and incredibly misleading.