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In an interview this morning with CBS News chief White House correspondent Chip Reid from Moscow, President Obama weighed in on the topic of the day – Michael Jackson's funeral.

"There are certain figures in our popular culture that just capture peoples' imagination, and in death they become even larger," Mr. Obama said. "I have to admit that it's also fed by a 24/7 media that is insatiable."

The president compared the outpouring of grief to what happened when Elvis Presley, John Lennon and Frank Sinatra died.

Mr. Obama said Jackson was one of the country's greatest entertainers who had a profound effect on two generations.

"It's not surprising people mourning loss," he said.

Click here for complete coverage of Michael Jackson's death and today's memorial

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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.

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.

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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.

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CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller looks back at Michael Jackson's visit to the White House in 1984. This account is adapted from a version that originally appeared on Twitter.

Michael Jackson’s visit to the Reagan White House in 1984. "Well, isn't this a thriller," Reagan began his remarks.

So many reporters and White House staff wanted to see Jackson, Reagan said "I haven't seen this many people since we left China."

Reagan called Jackson: "one of the most talented, most popular, and most exciting super stars in the music world today."

Reagan told Jackson he had a message for him from young folks: "They said to tell Michael, Please give some TLC to the PHYs." (pretty young things)

Reagan also urged Jackson to make Washington part of his next tour. "...we want you back," said Reagan. (like the song title. I got that one.)

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I don't usually get introspective, but I did want to say a few words about the passing of Michael Jackson.

After seeing this photo again, the one where he's flanked by President and Mrs. Reagan at the White House in 1984, it just reminded me of how huge the guy was in the history of pop culture.

While I was barely 12, CBS News' Mark Knoller was covering the May 14, 1984 visit:

"'Well, isn't this a thriller," Reagan began his remarks. So many reporters and WH staff wanted to see MJ, Reagan said 'I haven't seen this many people since we left China.' Reagan called MJ: 'one of the most talented, most popular, and most exciting super stars in the music world today.' Reagan told MJ he had a message for him from young folks: 'They said to tell Michael, Please give some TLC to the PYTs.'"

There's no question he had his problems, and for anyone under the age of 30 that's all they'll know of Jackson.

But for those of us who grew up with him - either as a member of the Jackson 5 (President Obama's generation) or the solo Michael Jackson (my generation) - you'll remember just how huge he was. You couldn't turn around without hearing or seeing Jackson somewhere. And think about 1982: no internet, no Twitter, no texting, 3 national TV networks, MTV was just about a year old, CNN just 2 years old. The Gloved One permeated our culture with a fraction of the tools available now.

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