By GottaLaff
UPDATE: Here's the video, blog title edited to reflect...
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Damage control by Prez O just now, during a surprise appearance at the White House Daily Briefing. He's speaking about the "Skip" Gates/Sgt. Crowley matter. Liveblog:
He's a good man. This has been ratcheting up and I helped to contribute. My choice of words, unfortunately gave impression I was maligning. I should have calibrated the words differently, and I told Sgt. Crowley. There was an overreaction in pulling Gates out of his home, to the station. I believe, based on what I heard, Gates probably overreacted as well. You have 2 good people in a circumstance in which neither could resolve the incident the way they'd like to have.
The attention garnered shows these are sensitive issues. My choice of words contributed to more media frenzy, that's important. So let's step back, see these are 2 different people, not extrapolate too much.
BECAUSE of history, A.A.s are sensitive to these issues. Even with someone like Crowley with good track record, there can be misunderstandings. I hope this is a teachable moment. Instead of pumping up volume, listen to each other, focus on how to improve relations between officers and minorites. Be more reflective, contribute to more unity.
This issue has overshadowed health care. I won't use this time on health care right now, but that won't be true next week.
One last point: As pres. I shouldn't have stepped into local issue? I disagree. The fact that it has become so big, it shows race is still troubling aspect of our society. ... Discussion about Sgt. Crowley and I having a beer in W.H. may happen, not scheduled yet.
Crowley asked if he could get press off his lawn..? I can't get the press off of MY lawn. [laughter]
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