How Obama Handled Jackson's Death

By: Mark Knoller
Topics: In The News

(CBS/ AP)

Though President Obama regards Michael Jackson as a "spectacular performer" and "a music icon," the White House did not issue a formal written statement on his passing.

Not every celebrity, even one as talented and widely-known as Jackson, merits a presidential tribute.

White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs quoted the president as saying that Jackson had "aspects of his life that were sad and tragic." It was a polite way of referring to a troubled individual with a record of strange behavior and conduct that included a criminal trial on charges of child molestation of which he was acquitted.

Since taking office, President Obama has issued formal statements of condolence for only four individuals: President Bongo of Gabon, former President Roh of South Korea, former Congressman Jack Kemp and noted historian Dr. John Hope Franklin.

Each White House sets its own criteria for such statements of condolence.

President George W. Bush issued tributes upon the deaths of many celebrities, including TV's Merv Griffin, actor Charlton Heston, artist Andrew Wyeth and "Godfather of Soul" James Brown.

So why did President Obama not issue one for Michael Jackson? "I thought I did a pretty good job," spokesman Gibbs told reporters during his daily briefing.

He hinted that Mr. Obama was ready to comment on Michael Jackson's death had he been asked about it today at the news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. But no one asked, so Gibbs said he did.

"I asked the president what he thought about it today, and as his spokesman, passed that along to you," explained Gibbs.

During his life, Michael Jackson did win praise from a U.S. president. On May 14, 1984, then- President Ronald Reagan hosted a tribute to Jackson on the South Lawn of the White House.

"Well, isn't this a thriller," Reagan began the ceremony. It was the hottest ticket in town that day. So many White House staff, press and others clamored to attend the event that Reagan joked that he hadn't seen that many people in one place since leaving China.

Jackson was being honored for allowing his hit song "Beat It" to be used in a public service campaign against drunk driving.

"Michael, you've made it possible for us to warn millions of young Americans about the dangers of driving and driving," said the president.

And in a statement that may prove to be bitterly ironic, Mr. Reagan hailed Jackson for serving as "proof of what a person can accomplish through a lifestyle free of alcohol or drug abuse."

In 1977, then-President Jimmy Carter wrestled with the question of whether to issue a presidential statement on 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."

Those words were sufficiently vague they could apply to Jackson as well.

(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 xlib June 27, 2009 10:38 AM EDT: JESUS H CHRIST!! WHO GIVES A FLYING F*&K ABOUT THIS!
My God people, the insanity is getting worse and worse.
Can't help but wonder when the saddam sized statue of the messiah will go up in every major city.
This is pure insanity.; Reply to this comment


by grant_x June 27, 2009 12:36 AM EDT: In every major media outlet in America, we now have this solemn mantra: Turn any news story into a way to talk about Obama.; Reply to this comment

by Cas2dy June 26, 2009 11:43 PM EDT

Hey, Mike. Please give my love to my Granddaddy. He'll know who you mean. Tell him we all get a chance to straighten out and that I believe I'll be seeing you all soon enough. Time isn't relevant.

Reply to this comment


by cjrlee June 28, 2009 11:56 AM EDT: Peace at last. Mike was tormented right alongside his magical stage performances. He was a prodigy and a genius. I don't understand WHY people are so angry here when the condolences for Farrah Fawcett are way more peaceful. I took my manners there, like here, and left a heartfelt condolence. It doesn't matter what they did in life now, except they leave a legacy in the entertainment business, their families may come here to read and MJ left three kids! Can we not speak ill of the dead and set opinions aside for now? Let the man's head get cold first!!!!!!!

by notthistime8 June 26, 2009 9:27 PM EDT

Wow, I like how you guys did that. You didn't have the whole quote, like every other media. You make it sound as if all the president had to say was that he had some sad and tragic moments in his life. This is the kind of tired, lazy, tacky journalism that Americans hate.

CBS is a crackpot.

Reply to this comment


by cjrlee June 28, 2009 11:26 AM EDT: This is what I came here for, thank you notthistime8. I happened to catch old man Schieffer's remarks this morning after re-scanning my tv channels. I haven't watched Face the Nation in eons. Anyway, he said he took his kids to a MJ concert in his commentary. There you go Schieffer.


by tanyalabonte June 26, 2009 9:07 PM EDT: quit drooling for blood its really tacky...; Reply to this comment


by vittoria1 June 26, 2009 6:55 PM EDT: Who cares how the President handled Michael Jackson's death? He has far, far more important things to worry about than the very unsurprising death of this particular pop star, whose life was a mess from the word "go." This situation is beginning to resemble the appalling, embarrassing, cringe-inducing mess in the U.K. and elsewhere following the death of the late Princess of Wales, whose importance to anything was vastly overrated by her besotted fans (and by her, too). All I can say to Jackson's hysterical fans, as I said to Diana's, is "For God's sake, grow up and get a life!"; Reply to this comment


by gravyboat3000 June 26, 2009 6:39 PM EDT: "Breaking News:Blood tests for drugs could take four to six weeks"

BREAKING NEWS:

That's a standard wait time for toxicology reports.

BREAKING NEWS: The majority of the reporters asking the Coroner's office questions were COMPLETE MENTAL MIDGETS.

Sorry, had to get that out there.; Reply to this comment

by gravyboat3000 June 26, 2009 6:36 PM EDT

This was a story that was a waste of time.

You kids have WAY TOO many stories on the death of Jackson.

lmao

Just sayin...

Reply to this comment


by 1notrub11 June 27, 2009 7:39 PM EDT: Agreed


by Livinontheedge June 26, 2009 6:34 PM EDT: What the hell is this about???? ooooooooooooooo......Goerge Bush issued statements. Big schit!!! Once again the far right stirs the turd and expects Obama to take away from the matters of the country to issue a statement that means nothing to the welfare of the country.; Reply to this comment