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June 26, 2009 2:46 PM

Obama Offers Condolences To Jackson Family

Posted by Brian Montopoli
(AP Photo/Doug Pizac)
White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told reporters this afternoon that President Obama sees Michael Jackson as "a spectacular performer, a music icon" who nonetheless had "aspects of his life [that] were sad and tragic."

CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller reports that Gibbs said Mr. Obama offered his condolences to the Jackson family and to fans who are mourning the pop star's death.

Gibbs said that the president relayed to him that "everybody remembers hearing his songs, watching -- watching him moon walk on television during Motown's 25th anniversary."

The president has not spoken on or issued a statement concerning Jackson's death.

Gibbs said he did not believe Mr. Obama ever met Jackson personally.
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Barack Obama ,
Michael Jackson ,
cbsjackson
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by NEGaGirl July 5, 2009 9:46 PM EDT
Gee, did Robert Gibbs forget to tell obama Farrah and Ed died??? One person said it right on here, 'THEY WEREN'T BLACK". Most of the other contributors are just mean-spirited folks that worshipped somebody like mj. Some simply because he was black. He was a great entertainer, granted, but he will never top Elvis - Elvis was the greatest. People called him King - he said there is only one King and pointed to Heaven, knowing that Jesus Christ is King. twopretty, you need to change your name - you are twougly to talk like you do. One person on here even said they didn't know who Farrah Fawcett was - well, she was A WHITE woman that made many movies, was on a long-time TV series, a beautiful girl and actress. Everybody in the world knew who Ed McMahon was - he was an icon, also. mj situation has been a real zoo and circus for too long. He is dead, bury him, just like the others have been buried, and go on. By the way, racists, should a white person get "his" children since they are white, or should they stay with the black Jackson family? The kids are really to suffer for this. I feel so sorry for them, not to ever know who your parents are.
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by JackGarvey June 28, 2009 8:24 AM EDT
Without Michael Jackson, there would not be a President Barack Obama. Michael Jackson hypnotized a generation. He was a modern Pied Piper, and with cable television his footsteps were much stronger. He
not only changed my opinion of people, but the entire world. He taught us to see and appreciat others. By the way, I hope Bruce Springsteen will substitute for Michael for part of his Europe tour. If that can't work, maybe Will I Am and Prince.
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by tanyalabonte June 26, 2009 8:57 PM EDT
America you are so predictable..lol..The rest of the world watches and listens and read the nonsense that goes on there..There was the other article that obama hadn't made a comment yet and i replied how the republicans were waiting for him to make a comment so their salivating could commence....well i gotta give the republicans props at least your consistant and predictable....lol
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by ten09 June 26, 2009 8:13 PM EDT
I find it interesting that we are so quick to past judgement on people that we know so little about. I had the great priviledge of meeting this Michael Jackson when I was 19. It was through that encounter that I realized he was the type of person I always imagined him to be. He was very generous, very kind hearted but also very removed from his emotions. Michael did have great talent..and he achieved a level of status that most people could never even dream of. But more importantly Michael was an inspiration to generations of boys and girls every where. He was a beacon of hope that you could do amazing things if you worked hard enough, especially in an era when it was hard to dream big if you were African American. It is the precedent in which he set forth that I choose to remember him. His devotion to the people, to the earth, and to life is his true mark on the world. As for President Obama speaking on Michael Jackson I have this to say. If he chooses not to say anything it is it right to do so. However, on the other hand if he chooses to offer simple condolences that is his right as well. And no just because he does so for Michael Doesn't mean he has to for everyone else. We have no idea what Michael represented to him as a child or young boy and therefore have no right to judge his decisions.
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by twopretty July 2, 2009 4:02 PM EDT
I took some time to read what some of the world has to say about Micheal Jackson. I am a 31 yr old African American. And I tell everyone here that reads this because I am not ashamed. For all the news channels,reporters MJ's supposed friends and everyone else besides (the Jackson Fam). I'm not going to talk about color cause its not really about color I think its about money and the greed of people. All these people claim they seen mj with drugs and his childhood. NONE of you all know about his childhood and one of the closest men to him(barry Gordy) said MJ was a quite happy child. And drugs they only want to say that so he looks just as bad as Elvis did when he passed. All these people on tv just want TV time!!!!! No one knows what MJ went through!! And for the Media who keeps saying he was in debt, if MJ is in debt everyone in the world is in debt!!! White America will take any credit away from black people that they can they dont want us to have NOTHING but a hard time and they will NEVER change. Not all white people are bad but most are and the harsh truth is that we as Black African Americans wont ever be able to change them!!! Its in there BLOOD!!! All we can do is make us a better people. Micheal Jackson loved white people but those are the same people that are tring to tarnish his name!!!! And I dont even care what they say about Obama anymore once he won the election a new day passed and they can all KMA!!!! I have a new look on life and truly believe now I can accomplish anything!!! GO OBAMA!!! I know in my heart MJ's wishes will be carried out by his family!!! And to the lady who agreed to give her children to MJ and let him raise them as his own STAY AWAY FROM THE JACKSONS!!! THEY DIDNT NEED YOU THEN THEY DONT NEED YOU NOW!!! And If white America questioned BUSH like they do Obama we would be in a better place right now. But bascially White people and black people who think they are white people won't change all we as PROUD African Americans is take care of our own backyards ( like we always have) pray and watch the others crumble!!! To all the Ed M and FF fans they will be missed just as much as MJ. To all of celebrities that passed the week MJ did and to Micheal Jackson I hope you all rest in peace and may all of your last wishes be carried out. Peace
by monitutonka June 26, 2009 6:28 PM EDT
While I am deeply sympathetic to the Jackson family, I wonder why Predisent Obama didn't express any sympathy to the family of Farrah Fawcett or Ed McMahon.
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by saturn05 June 26, 2009 6:22 PM EDT
Please tell me that he also called the Fawcett and McMahon families. Or does he just call on the black entertainers families.
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by Questionews June 26, 2009 5:06 PM EDT
I wonder if they'll put his nose in the Smithsonian??
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by blog_fever2 June 26, 2009 5:17 PM EDT
wow!
by blog_fever2 June 26, 2009 4:47 PM EDT
People hate it that there is continuous coverage over MJ. Farrah has a section, but Idk where Ed is.... get over it, MJ was (more) well-known. I didn't know who FF was until after she died. I thought she was some adult entertainer (to be totally honest). I hope they all rest in peace.
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by ccdsswrkr09 June 26, 2009 4:29 PM EDT
I wonder whats gonna happen to those beetles albums he owns the rights to.....
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by blog_fever2 June 26, 2009 4:37 PM EDT
I agree. It was mentioned there was no will or testament in place... This will get ugly quickly.
by ccdsswrkr09 June 26, 2009 4:44 PM EDT
Do his children have the same mother? If not..ugly is an understatement
by blog_fever2 June 26, 2009 4:22 PM EDT
These are some very disturbing posts on here. The man made national news and created more activity than there has been in this country since the Presidential election!! You people would complain either way.... complain now because President Obama gave condolences to the family and you would have complained if he didn't. You people just want to whine and cry. Sad. "Jealousy is more cruel than the grave"
-Holy Bible
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