Posted on 07/25/2009 8:16:17 AM PDT by lex33
July 24, 2009
BY LYNN SWEET Sun-Times Columnist WASHINGTON -- I asked President Obama what turned out to be a provocative question at his press conference on Wednesday night -- well, it was his answer that was really provocative -- about the arrest of noted Harvard African-American studies Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. at his home in Cambridge, Mass.
I asked,"What does that incident say to you? And what does it say about race relations in America?"
Obama's answer included a sound bite picked up by scores of outlets, whether print, TV, radio or on the Web. Said Obama, "the Cambridge police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home."
Obama's answer also triggered a storm of questions to me -- by other reporters, readers e-mailing me and commenting on my blog about how and why I came to ask about Gates.
No conspiracy, folks.
When President Obama called on me, he had no idea what I would be asking. I had not written or blogged about the Gates incident, so no one in the White House had any clue that I was particularly interested in Obama's reaction.
I got a call from the White House press office about 6:30 p.m. confirming I was indeed going to show up at the 8 p.m. press conference. I was told I "may" get a question from the president. No one asked me -- directly or indirectly -- about what I may be asking. No one from the White House tried to plant any question.
By calling a prime time news conference, Obama got a chance to read a statement at the beginning pushing Congress to pass his health-care reform proposals.
But the White House did not set this up as a health-care-only press conference. There was no mandate on reporters who attended to ask questions about health care.
Ten journalists asked questions, including me; seven had health-care questions, three asked about other topics. The Sun-Times and Tribune Co. reporters both got questions -- the pairing of the rivals was by White House design.
Obama gave me the last question. I had no control over the timing. There was no chance for a follow-up. If I was called on earlier in the press conference, I may have asked about health care. I thought it was appropriate at the end to bring up another matter in the news--the Gates arrest. I would have posed the same question to President Bush.
Some saw a plot because I read my question. I do write them down for a White House press conference. No plot. I want to be concise.
“Heres the facts.
A Black Celebrity Professor tried to destroy the life and career of a well respected white cop.
The black mayor of Cambridge joined in.
The black governor of Massachusetts tried as well.
And then the black president of the United States went in for the kill.
Unfortauntely a little thing like the truth got in the way.
This really is a teachable moment. These black leaders are the racists. They are disgraceful and should be punished. Period.”
I copied this and forwarded it to everyone on my email list. You did a great job of summing it up very well. Glad that Obama is caught and America is viewing racist behavior on White America!!!!
Me thinks she protests too much!
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I thought the same thing.
It is utterly ridiculous to believe that the Whitehouse did not know in advance what she was going to ask. They choreographed everything else for her. The question was supposed to deflect attention off of his horrible health care bill - but the most brilliant orator weve ever had for a President blew the answer & took more heat for it. Still going down in the polls, theyre going to have to pull something else out of their hats to get peoples attention focused somewhere else.
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YEP!
First time, I have seen the presser. He appears to be referring to notes in front of him.
It has the appearance of being staged. But in retrospect, when one compares what actually happened, to Obama’s characterization of it, it is an absolutely stupefying response. The President basically said “Hey watch THIS magic act. Not only am I going to put one foot in my mouth, I’m going to both of them in, all the way up to my knees!”
There were no "um's" or "uh's." There wasn't a joke about how this was supposed to be a press conference about health care.
There was hardly a second between her finishing asking the question and Obama beginning his answer. Doesn't he usually take a pregnant pause before beginning his answers?
-PJ
OdumbO didn’t do his usual um, er, hem and hawing that goes with an unexpected question. He acted prepared and as I said, he also appeared to be looking at notes.
Gates said”you don’t know who you are messing with”. Gates has a direct line to O’s blackberry.The reporter is from Illinois. End of story.
I know Im recognized as the Obama specialist because I am an Obama specialist, she said. I mean, just to make sure, when I was in Chicago, I made sure I drove past his house. I was in Chicago last week just to see what there is to see. I didnt have to go, I just wanted to go. I just wanted to have more facts at my disposal. I realized I hadnt seen the house he used to live in, so I went by and drove by there.”
DRIVE BY MEDIA!!
ROTFLOL!!
LOL ..
No doubt he was reading from notes. Speaking of notes - I think this press conference notes the peak of Obama. It’s all down hill from here. As time goes by, if he could have one day back, and change one thing, he would not have had that press conference.
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