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June 26, 2009 10:54 AM

Will Obama Make A Statement On Jackson?

Posted by Mark Knoller
(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.
Tags:
Michael Jackson ,
Barack Obama ,
cbsjackson
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White House
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Add a Comment See all 128 Comments
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
by sam-kiley June 28, 2009 10:14 AM EDT
bonjour
que la maison blanche en la personne de monsieur obama fasse un communiqué, serait bien, un clin d'oeil pour rendre hommage, dire au revoir au "roi de la pop", est la meilleure façon de le remercier, aux nom de millions de fans a travers le monde, comme le soldat, le scientifique, le cosmonaute etc.., michael jackson aussi a marqué l'histoire, par son talent exceptionnel, et de la meilleure des façon et pour cause ses tubes seront chantés encore et encore par les générations a venir.qu'il repose en paix au revoir
Reply to this comment
by lastpear June 28, 2009 9:19 AM EDT
"My fellow Americans...we have lost one of the greatest pedophiles of our time...although I have daughters, I wouldn't let them near this crazy bastard, but our long national nightmare is over. Therefore, it is with great personal umbrage that I announce a day of remembrance for Iran, which was removed from the headlines recently...and citizens, let us never let another crazy bastard take a place in our hearts. Agreed? Now, the national keg party has been rescheduled to meet in Kansas. I'll be there. I'm going to bring my integrity. That is still alive."
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by monteepython June 28, 2009 9:18 AM EDT
Now who is judging people... Farrah Faucett nor Ed McMahon held their children from their feet outside a balcony like a rag doll. Neither of them was accused of child molestation either. I hope you do not claim you go to church talking about casting stones.
Reply to this comment
by Volksstimme June 28, 2009 7:23 AM EDT
Of course he will. He does not want to take second place to a dead pedophile in the news. Would not be good for his self proclaimed Messiah status.
Reply to this comment
by -TS- June 27, 2009 7:05 PM EDT
by -TS- June 27, 2009 4:02 PM PDT
ThomasStewart wrote:
ThomasStewart wrote:
MICHAEL JACKSON MURDERED.

HERES MICHAEL JACKSONS DEAD BODY;

http://www.geocities.com/tsvondrashekmd/getattachment.jpg

Notice its nightTime & Orange/red blood on clothing of fire rescue & gurny, NOT lamps, which are illegal to run when back door is open, to prevent cover up of blood. nOTICE hUGE bANDAGES oVER cHEST.

Michael Murdered by PEPSI as Michael prepared NEW Life.

Signed:PHYSICIAN THOMAS STEWART von DRASHEK M.D..
6/27/2009 5:40:20 PM
Recommend (0)

6/27/2009 5:45:00 PM
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by ktc705 June 27, 2009 5:07 PM EDT
I am not sure what positions some of you have but apparently you are the moral police, judges and Presidents because you have so many suggestions on how all of the above should be. Because Michael Jackson was accused of a crime he is guilty. Because you have found him guilty he deserves nothing and President Obama cannot make a decision. Since you have all of the answers I look to see your album drop, your court in which you hold session and your name attached to the title of President of the United States and until then?quietly exit stage right.
Reply to this comment
by Kuei1248 June 27, 2009 4:14 PM EDT
If Obama decides to speak on Jackson's behalf he should be impeached. The only reason a black president would even consider this would be to throw the black population a bone.
Reply to this comment
by ktc705 June 27, 2009 5:19 PM EDT
You have got to be kidding! That is the best you can come up with?!
by erb0087 June 28, 2009 12:14 AM EDT
The President is a Black man.

The Attorney General is a Black man.

Why does the "black population" need to be thrown a bone ?

Besides, if anyone ever transcended race, it was Michael Jackson.

He had diehard fans in every ethnicity on earth.

It's not like Snoop Dogg had died, you know.
by erb0087 June 27, 2009 2:57 PM EDT
"Will Obama Make A Statement On Jackson?"

He did already.

"Fri Jun 26, 2:38 pm ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama called Michael Jackson, the 50-year'old "King of Pop" who died suddenly on Thursday, a "spectacular performer" and a music icon, White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said on Friday.

Gibbs also said Obama believed some aspects of Jackson's life were "sad and tragic" and offered his condolences to the musician's family."
Reply to this comment
by cawobeth June 27, 2009 1:03 PM EDT
distraught, disheartened & a little disgusted

Thank you for this post. This is very important and I hope that President Obama considers the ramifications of failure to honor the greatness of Micahel Jackson as other world leaders have.
Last night I e-mailed The Whitehouse with a short list of Michael's songs that express his humantarian nature & compassion. Due to President Obama's moral values which coincide so with Michael's, one would think that he would be honored to speak of Michael. I just don't get it. Is President Obama at a loss for words ? This would be a 1rst. At the very least, I feel strongly that he should direct The Whitehouse and/or ask First Lady Michelle to express some light on this great loss. President Obama's delay in responding seems inconsistant with his usual respectful, intelligent & heartfelt manner. I feel disillusioned by him and certainly hope that something airs from a place that the world has just recently begun to look up to again.
Reply to this comment
by lastpear June 28, 2009 9:27 AM EDT
He was a predator who loved to masturbate with little boys....
Got Kids?

emailed the whitehouse....Geeodd...
by kollmuss June 27, 2009 10:42 AM EDT
"The White House hasn't yet decided whether President Obama should issue a statement on the death of Michael Jackson."

Perhaps when we know more about what actually happened to Michael Jackson (what caused his death), Mr Obama should make a statement about the King of Pop: Michael really deserves a statement by someone like Barack Obama. Michael deserves a kind of THANK YOU for all the great things he has done as an artist/superstar.

What about Michaels not-normal lifestyle? I think Barack Obama is competent enough to handle that issue.Personally, I do not think Michael Jackson has harmed anybody (read not any single child). I think (out of some serious problems from his early years) he has been misunderstood. And I think some people have taken advantage of his "weakness","softness", kindness and money.
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