PRES. OBAMA ON THE DEATH OF MICHAEL JACKSON
It’s no secret that Barack Obama is a huge music fan. He has celebrated great musicians like Stevie Wonder at the White House, talked to Vibe and Rolling Stone about who’s on his iPod (Coltrane, Aretha Franklin, and Springsteen to name a few), brushed his shoulder off Jay-Z style in response to criticism, and like every other brother, fessed up to having a crush on Beyonce. So what are his thoughts on the untimely death of pop legend Michael Jackson?
“I talked to him about it this morning,” White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said in a press briefing on Friday. “Look, he said to me that obviously, Michael Jackson was a spectacular performer, a music icon. I think everybody remembers hearing his songs, watching him moonwalk on television during Motown’s 25th anniversary.”
Obama gave Jackson praise where praise is due, while acknowledging to Gibbs that the pop star’s life was very troubled. “But the President also said, look, he had — aspects of his life were sad and tragic,” Gibbs continued. “And his condolences went out to the Jackson family and to fans that mourned his loss.”
Gibbs said that the White House will not release a written statement on the death of Michael Jackson, and that he is unaware of whether the President called the Jacksons to personally express his condolences.
Should the President have done a little more? Tell us here.
Image courtesy of chinadaily.com
(*The views contained herein are solely the views of their respective authors, and do not express the views of TV One. TV One does not take responsibility for their content.)
As President of the Country of Michael’s Birth, I expected He’d send a video message to the Memorial Service. Because the entire world was watching and crying out for Hope, Justice and Healing! Someone has to pickup Where Michael Left Off! Michael’s handed over His mantle and Obama is primed to Continue his Misson and Heal The World!
I have to admit I was a little disappointed in our President. I felt he should have spoken about Michael’s music and left the negative commnets out, and he should have done something a the memorial service.
Obama did exactly what he was supposed to do, why should he have said more? While I am a bigggg fan of MJ he was not the KING OF KINGS or LORD OF LORDS. But I wonder how many SOULS did he save.
Be Blessed
I was disappointed that our President took longer to release a statement regarding Michael’s death than the President of Venezuela. Pres. Chavez praised the legacy of MJ in a way that our President has yet to. As D. Freedom stated, “as President of the Country of Michael’s death,” I also would have expected to see a video tribute presented at the memorial. I fully realize that Pres. Obama has more important matters that demand his attention, but were it not for the barriers that MJ broke down, he might not be President today. Everyone’s life is comprised of plusses and minuses; however, I found it odd that he felt he had to offset his limited praise of Michael’s feats as an entertainer with his having such a troubled and tragic life. Although these statements may carry some degree of truth to them, I’ve always been taught not to speak ill of the dead. Maybe he can make up for it now that Walter Cronkite has died. His comments on Mr. Conkite’s death were far better than his comments on Michael’s.
I too was disappointed that President Obama did not publicly say more about Michael Jackson. After all, he set so many firsts and his talent was appreciated the world over. MJ was celebrated the world over. President Obama probably felt that he could not say much about MJ’s passing and not comment on Farrah Fawcett’s passing. But he could have done both. MJ is probably the most famous musical entertainer in the world and he is American. That in and of itself is enough for more of a tribute to him. Also, I don’t think it was necessary for the President to make any negative comments. I am sure that he doesn’t want someone to always bring up Rev. Wright whenever they speak or talk about him (Obama). Some things are just not necessary. Moreover, MJ was found innocent of violating any crime. That’s enough for me.
I am proud to have a President who knows what to say and when to say it. I am a huge fan of Micheal Jackson and I am sorry for the families lost, BUT regardless of what President Obama says or does not say, there will be criticism. Obviously the President’s mission is betterment for even his biggest critics. God Bless
Look, big fan I am of them both MJ and Pres. “O”. But anyone that hasn’t learned by now that the Pres. really does know when to hold and when to fold then, all I can say is this, we’ll have to continue to pray for folk like you. It seems to me that they both have lots of haters and that’s to be expected. Hey, think about Jesus Christ, He had haters, so why should any of us here on earth be exempt. As stated earlier, no matter what Pres “O” does/doesn’t OR says/doesn’t say someone is gonna find fault. He’s doing the right thing, not paying attention to all that and keeping his eye on the sparrow. Doin what he feels is best. For those who have a problem w/it, my question to you is, tell us, why didn’t you run for President since you know so much about how it should go?
I think President Barack Obama did a fantastic job. He cannot be intimately involved with every major issue that comes up. The President is in a catch 21 position. Everything that he says and do will be used against him in the next election. I plead the Fifth on behalf of the President.
I am grateful for a President that knows the importance of his job. We all grieve for the Jackson family and Micheal was famous at what he did. But he surely does not take priority over running the country. The President sent his condolences and that was enough. People need to stop expecting the President to be Superman. The man is trying to get things straighten out in this country, he does not have time to make video tributes. When the president was elected I did not hear Micheal Jackson make any commets. Are we saying that Micheal Jackson was so important that the whole world should bow down. I think not!!!!!!!!
Everyone who thinks Obama should have done more, your tripping! He has a country to run and ya’ll think he needed to say more? What the hell else could he say? If I was him, I wouldn’t of said SHIT!!! What he was supposed to do a tribute like a jackass? GTFOH!!!
No. I respect his decision for not getting too involved in matters of entertainment industry. It would hurt his credibility worldwide and ultimately prove to be a distraction, if he were to start using the office of President to make tributes to celebrities, even when the celebrity is Michael Jackson.