Posted on 07/25/2009 5:38:23 AM PDT by mylife
Obama Calls Cambridge Police Officer, Invites him for a Beer with Gates at the White House
July 24, 2009 3:29 PM
ABC News' Yunji de Nies, Sunlen Miller and Sarah Tobianski report:
President Obama made his second surprise appearance before press in the briefing room to address what he called the “media frenzy” over his comments on the Skip Gates case.
“The fact that it has garnered so much attention, I think, is a testimony to the fact that these are issues that are still very sensitive here in America,” The President said, “And, you know, so to the extent that my choice of words didn't illuminate, but rather contributed to more media frenzy, I think that was unfortunate.”
At about 2:15 pm today the President spoke on the phone with Sergeant Jim Crowley.
“I have to tell you that, as I said yesterday, my impression of him was that he was a outstanding police officer and a good man, and that was confirmed in the phone conversation. And I told him that.”
Obama took partial blame for the media frenzy over the story, saying that he “helped to continue ratcheting it up” by saying that the Cambridge police “acted stupidly” comments at Wednesday night’s primetime press conference.
“I want to make clear that in my choice of words, I think, I unfortunately, I think, gave an impression that I was maligning the Cambridge police department or Sergeant Crowley specifically. And I could have calibrated those words differently. And I told this to Sergeant Crowley.”
Mr. Obama did not say if he offered Crowley a direct apology and held fast to the notion that there was an overreaction in Professor Gate’s arrest – but admitted that Gates had to take some of the responsibility for the overreaction.
“I continue to believe, based on what I have heard, that there was an overreaction in pulling Professor Gates out of his home to the station. I also continue to believe, based on what I heard, that Professor Gates probably overreacted as well.”
The President asked that everyone step back and recognize that these are “two decent” and “good people” in a circumstance in which both would have wanted to be resolved differently, but echoed sentiments in his press conference of the sensitivities that still exist over these issues.
“Be mindful of the fact that because of our history, because of the difficulties of the past, you know, African-Americans are sensitive to these issues,” Obama said, “And even when you've got a police officer who has a fine track record on racial sensitivity, interactions between police officers and the African-American community can sometimes be fraught with misunderstanding.”
President Obama said he hopes this can be a “teachable moment” – where “instead of pumping up the volume” American can focus on how to improve relations between police officers and minority communities.
“Whether I were black or white, I think that me commenting on this and hopefully contributing to constructive, as opposed to negative, understandings about the issue is part of my portfolio.”
Obama said at the end of his conversation with Crowley there was a discussion about Crowley and Professor Gates coming to the White House to have a beer together.
President Obama has not spoken to Gates yet and there is no time yet scheduled for their beer get together, although White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs indicated that the meeting would likely happen.
-- Yunji de Nies, Sunlen Miller and Sarah Tobianski
UPDATE: At 3:15 pm the president called and connected with Professor Gates. “They had a positive discussion during which the President told Gates about his call with Sgt. Crowley and statement to the media,” The White House says in a written statement.
The President invited Gates to join him with Sgt. Crowley at the White House “in the near future."
We need to smack down this warning.
I personally am sick of the double standard
The officer should hijack Obama’s stupid remark about how this is a ‘teachable moment’ and use it for his purpose.
The “Teachable Moment” here is that you shouldn’t pull the race card on a police officer for doing his job or on ANYONE that challenges you on something you did. And don’t try to use your connections to exact revenge on someone.
Obama’s version of the teachable moment will be to scold us all once again for persecuting non-whites and how we need to be sensitive and give special treatment to people of color. NONE of this ever happened so the cop cannot go to the white house and bow down to them!
LOL. . .and agree; he makes Clinton look like 'the 'good President' by comparison. At least Clinton, was 'home grown'. . .and while he would sell America to enrich his pockets; he was not into 'control'. We know Clinton was/is. . .inmature and still exhibits a needy narcissism; but it is not the totally malignant variety that Obama suffers from.
Obama thinks that when he puts his foot in his mouth he can solve everything with an invitation to the White House for a beer.
Obama’s apology to Officer Crowley: “I’m sorry you’re a racist.”
If I were Officer Crowley I would respectfully decline that offer. He does not have to go to the WH and have a beer or anything else. I think he should tell the President this incident is over and it should be left alone. Obama only wants him there so it can look like he apologized but...Obama put his foot in it the other night at that press conference and he showed the world his true self. Shame on him. The response was overwhelming to this whole incident and no amount of invites and beers is gonna erase it from the communities and the Police officers and their families. It’s out there now...Obama will see the results in the poll numbers dropping even more. He stepped on it BIG this time.
That’s about the size of it. Anybody who thinks that Obama or Gates are going to take responsibility for anything without Crowley reciprocating (what he didn’t do) is crazy. I’d make it perfectly clear that the parties need to take responsibility first, which will never happen. Racists don’t take responsibility, but sometimes, just to keep the peace, good people do burden themselves with that which they are not responsible. That’s what worries me....
Thank you for that. You are right. Discrimination by itself is a neutral and necessary skill—a part of human intelligence. Discrimination on the basis of religion, race, gender, orientation, etc. is where the problems arise.
The only thing that will come from this will be an elevation of the other side from the mayor, to the governor, to present and the erudite professor.
Whether or not Crowley goes there is no advantage. Each scenario will be played as a “teachable moment” and if we stop and think about it, anyone of us could come up with the narrative that will follow no matter what.
Why give these guys what “They” want at the expense of your pride?
LOL....best I’ve seen yet.
So Obama is admitting that he is a race baiting idiot?
Hi brushcop, do you think if someone took a saudi diplomat hostage and threatened to kill him unless the the terrorists in Afghanistan released their prisoner that he would be released.
I am not advocating this or any other unlawful means of course, but do you think it would work as the saudis are neck deep into terrorist involvement.
Same scenario with a Venezualan head of state or diplomat.
I don’t know, my head seems to be swimming with scenarios. I think what really makes me anxious is that we know what we have with this administration, I am totally flummoxed, I have no confidence in them, but I DO have confidence in the men on the ground (military).
Your scenario requires guts (and backing) beyond belief. Guts? Yeah, there again with the operatives, backing? No.
Think we should bombard the MSM/Nets and tell them; no matter how often they say it; this was not a 'case of racial profiling'; save, that of Professor Gates' who made his own case; by insulting not only Officer Crowley; but his Mother, as well.
Every time they offer 'racial profiling'; they themselves; indulge their worst instincts.
That they do this; with particular pleasure; can be duly noted as well.
It blows my mind that the president of the United States (and I use that term loosely) is even getting involved in this. This administration is an absolute joke. But then again its ALL about race with this idiot.
Gag. Crowley should've told him to cram it.
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