KERRY CLAIMS: 53% OF CHILDREN DO NOT GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL

Drudge Report ^ | February 1, 2006 | Matt Drudge

[West Coast Conservative]

Sen. John Kerry claimed this morning on NBC TODAY that only 53% of America's children graduate from high school -- a claim that raised eyebrows in the NBC control room, sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT.

Kerry made the comments after host Katie Couric asked the former presidential candidate about the Bush's State of the Union call to train 70,000 additional teachers in math and science.

COURIC: He wanted to train 70,000 additional teachers in math and science.

KERRY: That's terrific. But 53 percent of our children don't graduate from high school. Kids don't have after-school programs... He didn't ask America to sacrifice anything to achieve great goals and the biggest example is making the tax cut permanent for the wealthiest people in America. The average American struggles to find time to take carry of families, working two or three jobs... It's a disgrace. He did not tell the real state of the union.

Kerry's 53% claim conflicts with a recent press release from the U.S. Census Bureau: "High School Graduation Rates Reach All-Time High"

And the Census Bureau's own website states: 85.9 Percent Of Americans Aged 20-24 Are High School Graduates. (U.S. Census Bureau Website, www.census.gov , Accessed 2/1/06)

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

I think their numbers (68% nationwide, 53% for Blacks) are for kids who graduate "with their class" It said that these were the graduation rates for the class of 2001. The census data (~84%) is percent of Americans 20-24 who are high school graduates, which might include late graduates and GEDs, so the numbers are not inconsistent, prima facie

They are inconsistent with Kerry's 53% "don't graduate" no matter how you look at it.

[1Old Pro]

53% of Kerry's brain is empty.

[Erasmus]

Yeah, but she cant help it. Brain donors like her just dont have a prayer.

I heard that Christiane Amanpour was the recipient.

[buffyt]

Only 53%? That must be a conservative estimate! LOL

[siunevada]

Perhaps John Filibluster al-Kerry has discovered a Parallel Universe. (One that ONLY he knows about. Shhhh!)

[Wasanother]

Of course with Couric being a commy bitch she probably didn't challenge his assertion the same way that she let Dean slide when he claimed they did not receive Abramoff money.

[ElkGroveDan]

The average American struggles to find time to take carry of families

Eh?

[Little Ray]

Sounds like BS, but does it matter what the drop out rate is? Whether they graduate HS or not, their education may not be worth much.

[Allison_Wonderland]

This man is truly out of touch with reality.

Last month, he insults our troops by saying they are "terrorizing" Iraqi citizens and this month, he insults teachers by saying only 47% of high school students graduate.

Praise you Lord, that Kerry is NOT our President.

[siunevada]

The average American struggles...working two or three jobs... It's a disgrace.

Well, John, I guess that's true if you consider listening you speak a "job". That's why the majority of average Americans didn't vote for you. Sure hope you run in 2008.

[Petronski]

89.43% of all statistics are made up right on the spot.

[Republican Wildcat]

Kerry Claims: Only 53% of Children Graduate from High School

According to the transcript provided, he said only 47% do. (he actually said 53% DON'T)

[Recovering_Democrat]

Kerry is an idiot.

[YaYa123]

Proof positive, fact checking John Kerry should be required whenever he opens his mouth.

[YaYa123]

Waaaa laaaa! The headline is corrected courtesy of our great magic moderator. Thanks

[VOA]

bump

[t2buckeye]

This guy continues to say things like this, and all the media can do is talk about how President Bush is stupid..inarticulate...blah blah blah!
Idiot is too tame of a word to describe John F'in Kerry

[I'm ALL Right!]

Don't you know? Facts are irrelevant.

[texassizednightcrawler]

MY sister-in-law didn't finish home schooling. Then again she is kind of dumb.

[UglyinLA]

According to John Kerry, 53% dont graduate?? Sounds to me like an argument for school vouchers.