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Obama’s beer fails to cool fiery race row
Sunday Times (UK) ^

Posted on 07/25/2009 7:33:08 PM PDT by Chet 99

THEY are calling it bar-stool diplomacy – a novel attempt by President Barack Obama to cool a heated racial controversy by inviting the offended parties to settle their differences over a beer at the White House.

Yet the president’s efforts to limit the fallout from a row over the arrest last week of Henry Louis Gates Jr, a black Harvard professor, may serve to extend a furore that has shaken the White House and raised questions about Obama’s vaunted leadership skills.

The row showed no sign of diminishing yesterday as Massachusetts media pressed for the release of police tapes that could shed new light on the angry exchanges between Gates and Sergeant James Crowley, a white officer who arrived at the professor’s Cambridge home to investigate a report of a break-in.

The incident led to a rare breakdown of Obama’s previously impressive political judgment. Having spent much of the past two years steering clear of racial controversy and nurturing an image of so-called “postracial” conciliation, the president plunged unexpectedly into the Gates affair.

He declared on Wednesday, when it was still far from clear what had happened, that the Massachusetts police had “acted stupidly” by arresting Gates, whom Obama described as a personal friend.

By Friday evening, Obama was back-pedalling furiously and his invitation to Gates and Crowley to join him for a beer was interpreted as an acknowledgment by the president that he had spoken too hastily in “maligning” the police. “I could have calibrated those words differently,” he said.

Yet the move also ensured that a story he desperately wants to go away will continue to overshadow his domestic political agenda. No beer-drinkers are likely to make as many headlines as the president, the professor and the policeman.

(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: bho44; henrygates; mrskippy
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1 posted on 07/25/2009 7:33:08 PM PDT by Chet 99
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To: Chet 99

President Sotero really stepped in this one. The cops are not going to forget his racism.


2 posted on 07/25/2009 7:34:37 PM PDT by EagleUSA
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To: Chet 99

Maybe they will roll a joint and Crowley can bust they ass...


3 posted on 07/25/2009 7:34:46 PM PDT by jessduntno ("Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction." - Ronald Reagan)
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To: Chet 99

Well beer and cards go together so well.

How about the police officer agrees to the beer if Zero and his ilk put away the race card permanently?

Deal?


4 posted on 07/25/2009 7:35:54 PM PDT by EyeGuy
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To: Chet 99
This man has the “football” with the nuclear button.

No, I do not think he would ever use it, even if under attack. Neither do our enemies.

However, Obama is supposed to make peace around the world, and get all of mankind singing Kumbaya, but he does not have the diplomacy, or common sense, to avoid situations like this?

5 posted on 07/25/2009 7:36:28 PM PDT by Kansas58
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To: Chet 99
Didn't they get the Obama memo: It's a teaching moment and Obama said what he said to help us poor stupid white folks to focus on race. And Dr. Gate was chosen by God or Mr. Potato Head to help bring this issue to the forefront of America.
6 posted on 07/25/2009 7:37:34 PM PDT by possumdawg (There are three types of people- those that can count and those who cannot)
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To: Chet 99

I’ll say this about Hillary...back during the PA Primary (that she won!!!) she was seen campaigning in alot of little, local establishments. I’ll give girlfriend credit, she could knock back a brew (or two) and keep talking. Barry...I think I ask for a straw.

The Metrosexual in Chief...pandering to the white guy...inviting him ‘over’ for a beer. No doubt the Resident of 1600 will have a low carb, reduced alcohol, microbrew on tap. I feel for Sgt. Crowley...what an icky situation to be in...


7 posted on 07/25/2009 7:37:48 PM PDT by PennsylvaniaMom (7-27-09 Sarah Palin Independence Day!)
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To: Chet 99
“I could have calibrated those words differently,” he said.

"Man, that is just so cool. Ah wish Ah had thought of it. 'Calibrated.' Whooo-wie!"

8 posted on 07/25/2009 7:38:11 PM PDT by Yaelle
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To: EyeGuy

Sean Hannity said he was still waiting for his beer, although the invitation should have gone to “hard core fans of Sean Hannity.”


9 posted on 07/25/2009 7:38:30 PM PDT by scrabblehack
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To: EyeGuy

Sean Hannity said he was still waiting for his beer, although the invitation should have gone to “hard core fans of Sean Hannity.”


10 posted on 07/25/2009 7:38:33 PM PDT by scrabblehack
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To: Chet 99
I would have a beer with Obama but I am not sure if he would start sniffing cocaine.
11 posted on 07/25/2009 7:41:09 PM PDT by Berlin_Freeper (...and never forget that!)
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To: Chet 99

“vaunted leadership skills”?

LOL


12 posted on 07/25/2009 7:42:55 PM PDT by A_Former_Democrat
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To: Kansas58

Maybe,just maybe,he’s beginning to realize he’s way in over his head.

What an a** !


13 posted on 07/25/2009 7:43:39 PM PDT by Mears
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To: Chet 99

14 posted on 07/25/2009 7:44:15 PM PDT by buccaneer81 (Bob Taft has soiled the family name for the next century. I AM JIM THOMPSON!)
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To: Chet 99; All

Great thread/humor BUMP!

Being a beer drinker, I think it’s a good idea on BO’s part. I still don’t care for the lightweight-socialist, propagandists-created, con-man...but I think it’s a good idea. I would still buy him a beer for challenging and knocking out Hillary Clinton.


15 posted on 07/25/2009 7:44:16 PM PDT by PGalt
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To: Chet 99

Sounds more like Hops and Change to me...


16 posted on 07/25/2009 7:44:29 PM PDT by green pastures (Soylent green? More like solvent green: health care reform to kill folks and 'save' social security.)
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To: Chet 99

Tell you what, I’ll buy my own beer, you keep the Change.


17 posted on 07/25/2009 7:45:01 PM PDT by wrench
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To: Chet 99

Gee, I should’ve read further before posting:

The incident led to a rare breakdown of Obama’s previously impressive political judgment. Having spent much of the past two years steering clear of racial controversy and nurturing an image of so-called “postracial” conciliation,

Really? As in sitting in Rev. Wright’s church? Hanging out with nieghbors Billy and Bernie and Calypso Louie?

Boy, I’m impressed. How bout the rest of you?


18 posted on 07/25/2009 7:45:31 PM PDT by A_Former_Democrat
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To: Chet 99
re: Obama’s vaunted leadership skills

I beg your pardon? There was never any indication that he had any sort of ability whatsoever, just the fawning of the MSM. I could never understand how they could make all those claims about what he would accomplish when his record was absolutely zero. Other than being elected POTUS the man has accomplished absolutely nothing of note.

He's an empty suit unless you count he racism and socialist tendencies.

It's going to be an interesting few years!

19 posted on 07/25/2009 7:46:23 PM PDT by jwparkerjr (God Bless America!)
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To: PGalt

The way I understand it, the beer angle was initially Crowley’s idea...


20 posted on 07/25/2009 7:46:36 PM PDT by green pastures (Soylent green? More like solvent green: health care reform to kill folks and 'save' social security.)
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