Blue Dogs, Beer Summit, Hurt Obama's Message

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I felt the President did his best to handle an awkward situation. Maybe he voiced his feelings a little too candidly in reacting to the question posed to him. Who has not overstated something or made a rash remark or two?
In the aftermath, he was gracious and concilatory. It appeared to be a satisfactory outcome to all directly concerned. Still, the knives are always out in the press, and the self righteous arbiters of behavior in the blogosphere have to have their pound of flesh. It is sickening, when we should be having a sane dialogue about things of tremendous consequence for all of us.
I don't envy President Obama in the least, the task of attempting to help and enlighten such an ignorant and ungrateful populace.

Phoenician Lady of AZ 1:13AM August 04, 2009

if obama is white will it makes a difference...people stop critizicing try this president if not good there's an election..let it ride to his term and see the result...

estela semic of NY 12:01PM August 03, 2009

now people, remember, minorities live by a different set of rules than the rest of america.
which is a sad statement, we are either american or non-american. We did this to ourselves, wake up!

larry tinker of TX 3:18PM August 02, 2009

The faux outrage about all this falls into the "birther" category. Clearly, both sides felt they were within their rights to act the way they did, neither is willing to apologize, but both are able to forgive and move forward in a positive manner. Obama did not "intervene" in the situation, he was asked a question about it at a press conference. It was an inappropriate question, but that says more about the sad state of modern journalism than anything else. Obama was clearly not far off the mark by saying that the police acted "stupidly" considering the Prosecutor dropped all charges. Move on. It's over. Perhaps some good will come of it.

LucasFoxx of WA 3:56PM August 01, 2009

I think obama showed his true colors. He did not even get all the facts before he made an ass of himself. That was not Gate's home and the officer did all he could do to bring the domestic violence level dowm. It is obama's friend that owes the officer an apology for his rude behavior. Gates does have an education....but sometimes education doesn't work. Looks as if he reverted to old ways and his language showed it
Obama owes an apology to the police department and I frankly never heard one. What is so hard about saysing..People, I made a mistake and did not have the facts. Sure....lets have a beer instead. I still think he owes ALL police an apology. But it will be a cold day before he says he was wrong. I have been listening to him say one thing and do another. We do not need a president like this.

Carolyn Lee Kiker of FL 12:03PM August 01, 2009

I'm glad to see we still have a few in congress that believe they work for the people and that the people do not work for them. The reason they are called "Representatives" is because they are supposed to support (represent) the best interest and well being of the people. I just hope they don't cave in like the others who proved too weak to stand up for what is right. It appears the new administration is run similar to the old mafia ways, if you don't agree they threaten and strong arm you into submission.
As far as the Gates issue, the president had no right or reason to entervene in that business. If Gates were not a friend of his, or if he had been a white man in the same situation he would not have even noticed. He just poured fuel on the fire and now every time a person of "Color" is even stopped by a cop he will be more apt to cry discrimination. I don't agree with it at all!

Keith of LA 6:01AM August 01, 2009