The Skip Gates Controversy: When Should Obama Allow His Team to Speak For Him?

 The Skip Gates Controversy: When Should Obama Allow His Team to Speak For Him?

After Harvard professor Henry Louis “Skip” Gates was arrested at his home in Cambridge, Mass., for what the officer deemed was disorderly conduct, a firestorm of outrage spread throughout the African American community. Soon, the media asked the nation’s most prominent, visible and powerful African American for his take on the situation. President Obama acknowledged that he didn’t know all of the facts surrounding the case, but added that black and Hispanic men are arrested at a disproportionate rate to the general population and added that he felt the police “acted stupidly” in arresting Professor Gates at his home.


Of course, a swell of criticism followed the president’s quote. As Obama has worked to clarify the quote and to address the ongoing fallout from Gates’ arrest, the tightrope that he has to walk as president of the United States has become crystal clear: how can he be honest and forthright on issues that are racially sensitive and still maintain the goodwill of as many Americans as possible?


Obviously, Obama cannot be all things to all citizens, but in this particular case, it would’ve been wiser to state that he didn’t know all of the facts and was looking into the matter for greater clarity before he issued a statement. And he could’ve allowed Attorney General Eric Holder — the nation’s top cop — to address the issue. Holder is frank and forthright and could’ve taken a bit more of the heat that would’ve come from such a hot-button issue.

Now, some have criticized the president for … well … playing politics. But, to paraphrase a famous movie quote, this is the business he’s chosen. As president, Obama will have to be very selective of when and how he speaks up, and while the passions inside all of us want him to be able to say what he feels — emotional reactions to sensitive situations don’t do anyone any service. Thoughtful objectivity is required when you’re sitting in the highest office in the land. We’ve seen what impulsive stands from high public office can do to an administration’s standing (howdy, Dubya), and Obama is in a uniquely precarious situation. He must learn to choose his battles. –todd williams


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