Obama's Inspirational Speech

Obama's Inspirational Speech since taking office to implore the graduates of Arizona State University to resist temptations of materialism and status, and instead choose a life of service and commitment to help rebuild the country.

Reference to "greed and irresponsibility" exhibited by some of America's leaders in recent years, he spoke in sober terms about the new direction the candidates and the country must now take.

"It is clear that we need to build a new foundation - a stronger foundation - for our economy and our prosperity, rethinking how we educate our children and caring for our sick and treat our environment," Obama told about nine thousand graduates dressed in maroon gowns on the school football field and thousands more in the stands the Sun Devil Stadium.

To encourage candidates away from a life of pure financial gain - what he called a "me-first approach to life" - he was that material success alone can not be the main thing. "

"Just ask Bernie Madoff," he said.

Together with the high numbers, and offers advice that is necessary for any college graduation ceremony, Obama also used a dose of humor to tackle head on the flap that threatened to cast a shadow over his appearance.

Precedent cited for failing to honor elected officials, ASU President Michael Crow said earlier this year that the school would not grant the President an honorary degree title. So, a university spokesman added to the awkwardness by saying that the school only honored "someone who's really outstanding, which have made outstanding contributions in their field."

Facing national embarrassment, Crow moved to expand a scholarship program and rename it after the president.

Obama began his speech by saying he wanted to "clear the air" on a "polemic."

"Now, before I begin, I just want to clean the air around the little controversy were all talking about a few weeks back," he said. "I have to tell you, I really thought it was much ado about nothing, but I think we all learned an important lesson.

"I learned never again to select another team during Sunday Devils in my NCAA brackets. It will not happen again."

And, Obama added with a smile and go back to them on stage, "President Crow and the Board of Regents will soon learn more about being audited by the IRS."

He said he did not deny that he had not yet achieved enough in life, noting that his wife reminds him of the same things.

Turning serious, he said he wanted "to confirm that a title, yet another title as President of the United States says very little about how your life has been conducted that no matter how much you have done, or how well you has been that there is always more to do, always more to learn, and always more to achieve. "