www.whitehouse.gov/live
The President jumped into to the press room to make a statement about Gates. My liveblog below.
I'm sure a you tube will be available shortly.
quotes from politico (http://www.politico.com/politico44)
"I actually just had a conversation with Sergeant James Crowley," Obama said, "and I have to tell you that, as I said yesterday, my impression of him is that he was an outstanding police officer...and that was confirmed in the phone conversation.
"Because this has been ratcheting up, and I helped to contribute to the ratcheting up...in my choice of words, I unfortunately gave the impression that I was maligning the Cambridge Police Department or Sergeant Crowley specifically," he continued. "I continue to believe, based on what I have heard, that there was an overreaction in pulling Prof. Gates out of his home and to the station. I also continue to believe, based on what I heard, that Prof. Gates probably overreacted as well."
"Because of our history...African Americans are sensitive to these issues." (2:35 p.m.)
- Talked to police officer
- Says his (Obama) choice of words was not correct. It ratched it up the situation which is not helpful.
- Asks everyone to step back
- Two decent people in a bad situation
- Be mindful of the fact because of our history African Americans sensitive to issues
- Teachable moment
- Lord knows we need unity
- President says that it is a big issue is indictive of the fact that race is troubling in our society
- Asks press to leave the sarge alone.
- Invited Gates and Officer to whitehouse talk.
And that's a wrap.
Good statement. Held his ground, but asked everyone to step back and talk like adults.
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IMHO it was good to set this to bed. "Stupid" was not a stupid choice of words, and that what caused this problem. The President knew this, and manned up to correct it.