Obama says cops acted stupidly in Gates incident

aldiboronti · July 23, 2009, 2:37pm

OK, fair enough, we’re all entitled to our opinion, even Presidents.

But then comes this.

Say what? Without all the facts how the hell can he come to a judgment that the police acted stupidly? Presidents should be more careful with their pronouncements.

CarnalK · July 23, 2009, 2:44pm

Maybe he thinks that even though there are some known unknowns, there are enough known knowns to form an opinion.

John_Mace · July 23, 2009, 2:59pm

As I said in the other thread, Obama needs to just STFU about this, since there is a good chance there will be a court case coming up. He’s a smart guy, and could very well be right, but there are sometimes when “No comment” is the appropriate response. This is one of those times. I’m sure it’s flattering to have people ask your opinion about all sorts of things, but you don’t always have to give it.

Jack_Batty · July 23, 2009, 3:11pm

If I recall correctly from the CNN article I read, he said he didn’t know if it was a *racial *thing, not knowing all the facts, but on the surface of it the police acted stupidly.

It was fair comment. If he’s said, “No comment,” he’d be in just as much dutch.

Here’s the quote I was referring to from CNN:

John_Mace · July 23, 2009, 3:14pm

I don’t know how much “dutch” he’d be in, but I hope he’s more concerned about doing the right thing than in being in X amount of “dutch”. Not commenting is the right thing to do. Let them sort it out in Cambridge, Mass, not in DC. If Gates wants to press charges in federal court, then the justice department (not the president) gets involved.

athelas · July 23, 2009, 3:14pm

Well, it looks like our postracial President demonstrated once again how he transcends race at a news conference, on some kind of health bill or some other minor matter. But Obama felt it necessary to devote 445 words to what really gets under his skin.

It’s kind of funny how Obama’s formerly fairly plain-spoken Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor, was instructed to stonewall the U.S. Senate at her hearings, but the President feels compelled to interject himself, disingenuously, into a police blotter matter.

Syntropy · July 23, 2009, 3:17pm

I said it last night: after saying ‘stupid,’ it doesn’t matter if the rest of his point was perfectly valid. Everyone is going to focus on ‘stupid’ and he’s going to be forced to address the comment.

athelas, he was asked for an opinion on the matter. He gave one. To say he ‘interjected himself’ is a little misleading.

C3 · July 23, 2009, 3:20pm

Here’s a (Huffington Post)link that has a video of the entire question and response, if anyone wants to see the whole thing.

C3 · July 23, 2009, 3:21pm

Huh? He was asked to comment on how the incident reflects race relations in the U.S. He answered the question. There was no “interjection” and he wasn’t the one to bring up race.

ElvisL1ves · July 23, 2009, 3:22pm

At least try to understand what exactly you’re criticizing, folks. Here’s the quote that none of you has bothered to look up:

Do note that racism is not included under “stupidly”.

John_Mace · July 23, 2009, 3:22pm

It’s a shame he ruined an otherwise good performance at the press conference. I was just thinking how nice it was to have a president who comes across so thoughtfully and sincerely. I’m guessing he just let himself get away with the moment, and wanted to weigh in like he’s just a regular guy, which of course he isn’t. And just to be clear, I don’t think this is a huge deal, and I fully expect him to learn from this mistake. I’m sure we’d all slip up from time to time when everything we say in public is on camera.

Carmady · July 23, 2009, 3:25pm

Bad move by Obama.

It would have been a good post on an anonymous message board, but not a good thing to say in public, without the facts, as the President.

Sam_Stone · July 23, 2009, 3:27pm

The proper answer:

“There is an ongoing police investigation, and it would be inappropriate for the President of the United States to weigh in until the local authorities have done their job. Ask me again when all the facts are in.”

He could even have followed up by making some comment in general about the importance of justice being colorblind or something.

That said, I’m not sure it’s really that big of a deal.

Sinaijon · July 23, 2009, 3:27pm

I think it’s fair to say that racism was implied, since he singled out the police for ‘stupidity’, when there was plenty of ‘stupidity’ to go around for all people involved.

John_Mace · July 23, 2009, 3:27pm

Did anyone else notice how he was careful to put “and Latinos” in there (twice, I think). What about the Native Americans!! I’m outraged!!!

John_Mace · July 23, 2009, 3:36pm

Just for completeness, here’s the FULL quote:

Q Thank you, Mr. President. Recently Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. was arrested at his home in Cambridge. What does that incident say to you and what does it say about race relations in America?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I should say at the outset that “Skip” Gates is a friend, so I may be a little biased here. I don’t know all the facts. What’s been reported, though, is that the guy forgot his keys, jimmied his way to get into the house, there was a report called into the police station that there might be a burglary taking place – so far, so good, right? I mean, if I was trying to jigger into – well, I guess this is my house now so – (laughter) – it probably wouldn’t happen. But let’s say my old house in Chicago – (laughter) – here I’d get shot. (Laughter.)

But so far, so good. They’re reporting – the police are doing what they should. There’s a call, they go investigate what happens. My understanding is at that point Professor Gates is already in his house. The police officer comes in, I’m sure there’s some exchange of words, but my understanding is, is that Professor Gates then shows his ID to show that this is his house. And at that point, he gets arrested for disorderly conduct – charges which are later dropped.

Now, I don’t know, not having been there and not seeing all the facts, what role race played in that, but I think it’s fair to say, number one, any of us would be pretty angry; number two, that the Cambridge Police acted stupidly in arresting somebody when there was already proof that they were in their own home; and number three, what I think we know separate and apart from this incident is that there is a long history in this country of African Americans and Latinos being stopped by law enforcement disproportionately. That’s just a fact.

As you know, Lynn, when I was in the state legislature in Illinois, we worked on a racial profiling bill because there was indisputable evidence that blacks and Hispanics were being stopped disproportionately. And that is a sign, an example of how, you know, race remains a factor in this society. That doesn’t lessen the incredible progress that has been made. I am standing here as testimony to the progress that’s been made.

And yet the fact of the matter is, is that this still haunts us. And even when there are honest misunderstandings, the fact that blacks and Hispanics are picked up more frequently and oftentime for no cause casts suspicion even when there is good cause. And that’s why I think the more that we’re working with local law enforcement to improve policing techniques so that we’re eliminating potential bias, the safer everybody is going to be.

Jack_Batty · July 23, 2009, 3:36pm

OMG, John Mace, you’re right! Obama is a racist!

Malthus · July 23, 2009, 3:37pm

To my mind, he should not have weighed in on the matter when Gates is a personal friend of his.

Edit: though I don’t disagree with what he has to say.

elucidator · July 23, 2009, 3:40pm

How the hell do you commit “disorderly conduct” in the confines of your own home?

C3 · July 23, 2009, 3:42pm

The cop asked him to step outside, then arrested him.