Will Obama Make A Statement On Jackson?

By: Mark Knoller
Topics: White House

(CBS/ AP)

The White House hasn't yet decided whether Presiden Obama should issue a statement on the death of Michael Jackson.

He was a world-renowned superstar, but there are parts of his life that hardly merit words of tribute from an American President.

In 2005, Jackson was put on trial on charges he molested a 13-year old boy. He was acquitted.

But there were other allegations of improper conduct and strange behavior by the so-called King of Pop.

In 1977, then-President Jimmy Carter faced a similar dilemma after the death of Elvis Presley. The White House switchboard was reported to have been inundated with phone calls urging Mr. Carter to declare a national day of mourning for Presley.

The president eventually issued a carefully-written statement, declaring that Presley was 'unique and irreplaceable' and his music 'permanently changed the face of American popular culture.'

Mr. Obama may take a page from Jimmy Carter's playbook in responding to Michael Jackson's death.

More From Knoller: A Look Back At Jackson's 1984 White House Visit

Jackson Autopsy To Get Under Way

LAPD Searching For Jackson's Live-In Doctor, Says Gossip Site

Photos: Mourning Michael Jackson

Full Coverage: The Death Of Michael Jackson

(CBS)

Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent. You can read more of his posts in Hotsheet here. You can also follow him on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/markknoller.

Mark Knoller
Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent.
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by lipgloss3 June 30, 2009 10:09 PM EDT: Michael Jackson is a WORLD phenomenon!! He deserves to be honored. His art influenced everyone at one time in their lives. I'm a bit saddened by our country's leader and his administration's decision to NOT make a public broadcasted statement in regards to this Musical Genius' death. RIP Michael - Your fans love you. You will always LIVE on.; Reply to this comment


by sherry847 June 29, 2009 10:43 PM EDT: I do not think Obama will have time to comment on M. Jackson. Hes to busy screwing up this country. And not making good on his promises. Our men are still dieing overseas,(which he said he was going to bring them home) Hes taxing us to death. No jobs. Ha, were all poor and trying to feed our children and he wants to tax more.Where does he think were going to get the money for all this tax after he got our jobs cut off!!!! Probley next taking our houses or anything we own and had to work for. I would love to see him work in a factory!!!!!!!! And live on what we use to get.
He has not a brain in his head, he cant see what he is doing to us. Hes eating and living good, but what about us. Which I dont think he cares. As long as him and his family live good. I think Obama is the worst president we ever had. Pretty soon we will be taxed for just being alive "one day at a time" So him and the higher up can live better. Its sad to see this country fall apart like this and am glad I wont live to see people staving to death or living on the streets. Obama is always on t.v. lieing about something. I shut him off. Dont know why people believed him in the first place and made him president. They all lie to get elected......
M.Jackson maybe was weird at times but I think the Dr. did it, he was money hungry and didnt want to loose his gravy train if he said no to M. Jackson. That is sad.; Reply to this comment


by kadogg June 29, 2009 3:10 PM EDT: now everybody get back to work. got money to hid. thanks bush,madoff, and last but not least all the other people not mentioned (banks.realtors,wall street.etc); Reply to this comment


by kadogg June 29, 2009 3:05 PM EDT: a 13 year old lying greedy 20 millionaire. not baby.; Reply to this comment


by kadogg June 29, 2009 2:42 PM EDT: to all you racist haters for every mj tryn to be white u got 10 fold of white folks that wish & pray at night they wasn't. and the president have to many other things to worry about "mj" isn't one of them. can't believe u people are so critical of President Obama cleaning up this mess. Bush and the greedy rich people perputrated on our country. If u racist could include Obama in you'r fold he'd be the best thing that happen to u bastards since trailer parks, but the color of his skin and his political party got ya'll so blinded. only god can help u. never heard one bad word about yo cousin bush. why not?, This is why our country cant grow. to many uneducated crackhead cowards, rather type you'r ugliest thoughts on a computer screen and need to b persuing a education. u can't blame that on Obama.; Reply to this comment


by critter_ma June 29, 2009 1:39 PM EDT: Oh yes Mr. President tell us all what a good child molester Michael was!
And what a King he was. (NOT); Reply to this comment


by disappointed_person June 29, 2009 2:13 AM EDT: Mr President Obama, PLEASE RELEASE AN OFFICIAL STATEMENT ON MICHAEL JACKSON! Please be reminded that Michael Jackson was ACQUITTED on the case of child molestation. A tragic life was not his choice and absolutely not his fault. What's more important, Michael Jackson's music and dancing really contribute to the world. So please, Mr President Obama, do the right thing. Otherwise, Mr President,a real "shame on you"!!!!!; Reply to this comment


by stryker54 June 28, 2009 2:55 PM EDT: Who cares if Obama says anything about MJ? I watched this kid grow up as an entertainer. Never cared that much for his music after he left Jackson 5, didn't care that much when he was with Jackson 5 either. Even tho his popularity grew over the years I see NO reason to IDOLIZE any performer. Regardless he is just another person that has came to the end of his life like we all will do. May he rest in peace, but there is nothing anyone can do know. MJ is gone, over, lets get on with things like we would reading any obit of a stranger, because that is what he is by most, just another stranger. Just because you listen to his music you think you knew him. You didn't. He's no better than the rest of us in this world. We come we go.; Reply to this comment


by california64 June 28, 2009 2:36 PM EDT: Why would Obama make a comment on Jackson's death? Were they lifelong friends? Will Obama comment on Farrah's death? How about the death of the OxyClean pitchman? This is why race remains a divide. Just the comment that Obama should make any comment about Jackson is clearly a race issue and needs to be avoided.; Reply to this comment


by TyroneHoglegg June 28, 2009 10:39 AM EDT: Are you fricking kidding me??? All of the shiatt going on in the world, and the media is concerned whether or not the US President will "make a statement" about the death of a pop singer?; Reply to this comment