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."
“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.”
hunh?
obama’s attempt at sounding “presidential”? LOL
He is a disaster.
I have not heard one replay of her comments. Guess why? (sound of sleeping giant awakening)!
I agree whole heartedly
This Kenyan finds more ways to distract people. 2ndClassCitizen brought up his apparent disregard for the captive soldier in Terrorist’s hands in Afghanistan. Very valid point.
When things get heated over race (which he aggravated) he invites the officer for a beer but our soldier is off the radar? What a worthless POS this would-be RULER is. God bless and protect our soldier.
Amen brother, way too easy to set him up...
I think Crowley should go and bring his mother. Walk in and face Gates and say,
“did you say you wanted to do something with/to my mother?”
It is NOT part of his job.
He CAN, in fact, "turn it down".
He should NOT go... PERIOD.
If it were me, there is NO WAY I'd go to D.C. to be USED by this arrogant, Narcissistic, racist, media-whore-of-a-president.
I'd ignore the racist POS now occupying the White House and continue to serve the people of my community.
If my department tried to REQUIRE me to go (which, due to union rules, they likely can't, especially in MA), I'd resign and find a department that puts me and my fellow officers above such petty political posturing.
And I don't see the point in having Barack Obama apologize. Nobody who was offended by his remark would believe it anyway.
Wright, Obama, Gates, Sotomayer...What a bunch of arrogant racists!!
Perhaps
See a pattern do ya?
He probably has to go, poor guy. Hope he doesn’t take one swallow of the beer, just say “I don’t drink nor smoke” with a very superior tone...and heavy emphasis on the smoke.
The whole thing makes me sick, what a disgusting person we have living in the people’s house.
Do you have any enemys?(yes!)
Then we will go forth and slay them!
All you need do brother is give us free reign.
*then blammo! ya find that you have given over free will*
*divide and conquer*
What a pretentious ASS.
Almost as bad as "At the end of the day..."
Blah, blah, Blah.
SOMEBODY...
PLEASE end the horror.
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