In death, Michael Jackson gets politicians' (cautious) admiration

The sudden, so far unexplained death of pop singer Michael Jackson at age 50 this week prompted an immense outpouring of grief and curiosity and, among politicians at least, caution.

While expressing admiration for his musical and dancing skills, these elected officials were careful to distance themselves from the pop icon's troubled personal life. President Obama did it only secondhand through a spokesman.

California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, while praising Jackson as "one of the most influential and iconic figures in the music industry," was also careful to mention "serious questions about his personal life."

Obama, a noted music fan who's had entertainers such as Stevie Wonder perform at the White House, was noticeably absent from any public statement. Knowing questions would come up at the daily news  briefing, it was left to spokesman Robert Gibbs to provide a low-key, arms-distance description of the president's feelings.

We'll publish the entire White House exchange concerning Jackson below. What Gibbs basically said was the president saw Jackson as "a spectacular performer" but there were aspects of his life that were "sad and tragic."

Friday the House of Representatives paused briefly for a tribute moment of silence.

There also reemerged, thanks to the Associated Press, a 1980s memo written during the presidency of Ronald Reagan by a then-young White House attorney named John G. Roberts Jr., now chief justice of the Supreme Court. The issue was . . .

. . . whether the former movie star should send a letter of congratulations to Jackson for giving away some show tickets to poor Washington children.

“I hate sounding like one of Mr. Jackson's records, constantly repeating the same refrain," Roberts wrote in the memo, which came out during Roberts' 2005 confirmation hearings. "But I recommend we not approve this letter. Frankly I find the obsequious attitude of some members of the White House staff toward Mr. Jackson's attendants, and the fawning posture they would have the president of the United States adopt, more than a little embarrassing.”

Then Roberts raised the tired question of precedent that sends chills down bureaucrats' spine: What about other performers like Prince? How do we decide which to write and which to skip?

Friday the White House handled it without a letter, just some brief exchanges with reporters, making it clear they were going no further. (See below.)

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Exchanges between reporters and White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs on Michael Jackson, June 26, 2009:

QUESTION: OK, I will ask. The president has talked a lot about his love of music. He hosted Stevie Wonder here. He has talked a great deal about what's on his iPod to Rolling Stone magazine. Well, what's his reaction to the death of Michael Jackson?

GIBBS: I talked to him about it this morning. Look, he said to me that obviously Michael Jackson was a spectacular performer, a music icon. I think everybody remembers hearing his songs, watching him "moonwalk" on television during Motown's 25th anniversary.

But the president also said, look, he had -- aspects of his life were sad and tragic. And his condolences went out to the Jackson family and to fans that mourned his loss.

Q: Why not a written statement, then?

GIBBS: Because I just said it.

Q: And you say he did send condolences to the family. Did he call the family personally?

GIBBS: Not that I know of. . . .

Q: Robert, I wondered if you knew if the president had ever met Michael Jackson in person, or if Mrs. Obama had ever met Michael Jackson?

GIBBS: He did not -- he did not tell me that he had. I can certainly check. I do not believe -- I do not believe they have. . . .

Q: Robert, back on Michael Jackson. Understanding that many people viewed him as a complicated mix, you still had other world leaders come out with written statements on Michael Jackson -- to include a leader here in the United States, Arnold Schwarzenegger, written statement; Nelson Mandela, others.

Why not issue a written statement for a man who has come to this White House, visited other presidents, been honored by other presidents for his humanitarian efforts? He also worked with the Democratic Party, which this president is the head of, helped fund-raise. Why not a written statement?

GIBBS: I thought I did a pretty good job.

Photo credit: Scott Stewart / Associated Press

Comments

[Asli]

Obama is a coward, a mortification. Michael was acquitted of all charges. He was innocent. But the president of his native country does not issue a statement, only because he was 'accused' or 'slandered' I should say.
Obama, you can never be 0,001 % of Michael Jackson.
MJ said very rightly in one of his songs: "I can't believe this is the land from which I came."

[zapperz]

Child molester, pill popping and financial irresponsible who happen to look like a bleached alien.. and you like this moron?

[thomasxstewart]

ThomasStewart wrote:
MURDER....heres picture of Michaels Body. Notice its at night, Firemen are waering overcoats, with blood stains, Gurney is Covered in blood & entire chest area is covered with with huge bandages.

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

Coroners are noted for cover ups, word corner, applied as loosely run area, is NOT Medical Doctor Nor Pathologist. So Probably World Will Never Know. Now YOU Know.

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

Signed:PHYSICIAN THOMAS STEWART von DRASHEK M.D.
6/27/2009 10:15:31 AM

[Tony]

Please don't mix the tragic death of one of pop culture's greatest icons with the spectacle of the Obama presidency. No one cares what Obama thinks.

[tom obot]

The White House handling of this matter sucks. We should not speak evil of the dead. Obama should have sent his condolence to the Jackson family without refering to the "sad and tragic" aspects of Michael's life. Given the lives of politicians, as reflected in frequent headlines about infedility, why should Michael's life be held to such a high standard? Why should a condolence message be tied to "the sad and tragic" aspects of one's life? Michael, like virtually everyone on earth, was not perfect. Michael did more good than bad. Whether President Obama issues a statement or not is not going to change the situation, Michael is dead. May his soul rest in peace.

[Enough, move on now]

This is insane.

Stop the madness.

Not one moment of our government's time should be spent DEBATING whether the President should make a statement on Michael Jackson. The world has gone mad. The President has cultivated such a pop culture involvement by hopping from tv show to tv show that this is what people expect.

This is such hypocrisy. No one cared about Jackson in the twisted years before his death, now that he died suddenly people are acting like it's 1982.

Just because a bunch of losers with no life are vocal about this, and have morbid curiosity, does not mean the sane thinking world cares.

Can the media stop making this more of an event than it is just to fill air time. Can the media move on to more meaningful events.

Gov. Sanford must be counting his lucky stars for one.

[Kim Idol]

Let us not forget the most important aspect of Michael Jackson. He was an unrepentant pedophile who paid off parents of children he molested and danced in front of crowds while he was on trial for his alleged crimes. Sweet as he may have been to his friends I would expect his prey saw a side of him that would have destroyed parts of them forever.

[Scridge]

Michael Jackson was a great entertainer who had skeletons in his closet just like every single politician in Washington. - The only difference is that Michael was acquitted of his alleged crimes in a court of law, while these politicians in Washington are likely getting away with crimes they've actually committed.

Conservative moralists (i.e Pharisees) are dying to bash Michael Jackson, but are showing some restraint due to his immense popularity. I wish the moralists would come out and say what they think of Michael, so that the nation will turn against them completely!

[eddie williams]

MICHAEL HAS SEEN THE HIGHEST OF HIGHS AND THE LOWEST OF LOWS. HE APPEARS TO BE AMONG SOME OF THE OTHER CELEBRITIES WHO HAVE HELD HIGH POSITIONS THAT PEOPLE HOLD AND ARE LATER CAUGHT UP IN THE MEDIA SCANDALS, FROM PRESIDENTS, PREIST, ACTORS, ACTRESSES, SPORTS PLAYERS AND BLUE AND WHITE COLLAR WORKERS ETC, ETC. IF A PERSON HAS NEVER BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME THEN WE NEED TO MOVE ON. I AM SO HAPPY THAT WE HAVE A FORGIVING GOD. EAZY!!!!!!!!

[Carolyn Belton]

I really think that the President wants to reach out to the family through a letter but probably feels that he would be scrutinized for it.

I hope that his heart will allow him to write a letter to the family, I believe that it would mean so much to them and it would honor Mr. Michael Jackson.

After all he was a great Humanitarian and those efforts should not go in vain.

To include a leader here in the United States with a written statement would mean the world to his fans and to the other Global Leaders who expressed their sentiments.

RIP MICHAEL JOE JACKSON

[abby0802]

I'm sorry that he died; however, the man had serious psychological problems as manifested in his never-ending cosmetic surgeries and his preference for boys....

I know he got away with whatever preferences he had, and people will be really upset I mention this issue, but all this commotion over an entertainer is really too much.

Really, really too much.

Jackson was just a blip on the radar.

His life is over. Maybe he'll find peace, but the way some folks carry on you think he was more than what he really was -- an entertainer. Period.

I save my tears and prayers for Neda and the other brave souls risking their lives for freedom in Iran.

I save my tears and prayers for our gallant heroes in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Jackson is a footnote in history. No more, no less.

[daniwitz13]

It appears sad that a person that has already received acknowledgment from another President, and the world over, Obama would point out the sad part of his life, instead of all the good and one of a kind accomplishments in the musical world. When asked what WRITTEN words would be sent, he said that he thought he did a good job SAYING a good thing about him. Big difference if he doesn't know it. Odd that a Black President did not further the divide by not coming out immediately to honor another great Black. I somehow hope that he will live to regret it. His children should have convinced him as any music lover would.

[len]

President Obama should of given MJ the respect he deserved and issued a formal statement regarding his passing. Michael Jackson was the first black "superstar" who had immense appeal to white America. His music helped bridge the cultural gap between black and white America, and in doing so helped race relations between whites and blacks. MJ in the 1970's and 1980's was a young black man that white america admired and respected. I believe that without MJ helping pave the way there would be no President Obama!!

[Laszlo]

I absolutely agree with len's post, as well as Asli's. Obama's lack of reaction is unacceptable and a real disappointment. I didn't expect such cowardice from him. It's sickening. If it weren't for MJ, there would be no Obama now.

[Brandon - Slovakia]

Michael Jackson was (in fact still is) one of the most important personality and artict of the 20th century!

Michael Jackson was the first black GLOBAL superstar known in such countries in which Elvis or The Beatles was unknown, and Michael is still extremely popular in China, India, michael has his fan in Iran, Iraq, Pakistan, in African countries... simply Michael Jackson is GLOBAL, and his influance and legacy will live for ever!

[Kyle]

Dear Mr. President
What a snake you are. Michael Jackson has done more for the world then you have ever done and probally will ever do in your entire life. You must think that you are so hot because you are the first "Man of color" in the White House? but this lame and heartles stament just goes to show that you are not. You have compleatley droped the ball on this one. Michael Jackson was a man of peace and Love. He was brave and fearles about his humaniterian efforts. He was loved and known in every coner of the planet and all the places populated by humans in outerspace, If it were not for micheal Jackson showing that we as black people could be more than slumdogs and pimps you might not have youre job. He made people except every color,creed,and religion. He surpassed humanity, Michael Jackson was truley a gift from God. I'm glad that I was around to see a true detie walk among us. Michael Jackson was the last king of man. The whole world lost a brother. We need to honor jim with a world wide holliday in his honor and a stamp we need to never forget him and his works.

[tij]

As usual, OBAMA voted PRESENT but did not want to get fully involved.

[KL]

MJ was innocent. If someone abused my son I would stop at nothing to get justice for my child. I would not accept any amount of money of the person who hurt my son......nor would I give up the fight to see that person put behind bars. God leave the poor man alone. He is dead...let him finallly have the peace that he wasnt alloed have on this earth. All you people who go on and on about him being sick and twisted etc.....take a look at yourselves...no one is perfect. MJ was a decent human being who was conditioned from a very early age by his father and then by the media........RIP MJ

[Jay]

Wow! you guys are tripping, why should the Presidnt of the USA comment on MJ's death at all? And the color of the President has no relevance (this is inreference to the comments by daniwitz13 and kyle).

Also should the president also issue statements about Farah Fawcett, Carl Malden and every celebrity that dies? NO he should not.

MJ's death should not & does not have any bearing on the highest office in this contry. If you guys love MJ so much, then pay your respects to him without bashing someone else. Get a life.

[BARB]

FROM COUNTERPUNCH...concerning Jackson's accuser's background:

by Ishmael Reed

None of the media descriptions of Jackson’s career, including a superficial pop driven survey of the star’s career by Anderson Cooper, referred to the 2005 plaintiff’s lies and his mother’s shabby history of conning individuals and institutions including J. C. Penney’s, which she accused of sexual abuse. She claimed that she had been “fondled inappropriately” by store personnel. Documents also hinted that “…the mom rehearsed her children to corroborate her story. ” During the 2005 trial,

Jackson’s Attorney, Tom Mesereau Jr. got the teenage boy to admit that he lied under oath during the J. C. Penny case. USA Today reported on March 1, 2005, that the mother used the boy as a prop to get money from Mike Tyson, Adam Sandler, Jim Carrey, Jay Leno and others, “even though insurance was paying his bills. ” Linda Deutsch, one of the last of hard-nosed shoe leather journalists, reporting for the Associated Press on March of 2005. said that Mesereau got the 15 year old to admit that he’d told Jeffrey Alpert, a school official that “nothing happened “ between Jackson and him.

Connie Keenan, editor of Mid Valley News, wrote of a hoax that the boy’s mother perpetrated on that newspaper. She made a pitch that her son needed medical care and that she had no financial means to provide it. During the first week of the newspaper’s appeal, the mother received $965 in donations. It turned out that the boy was being treated at Kaiser Permanente in Los Angeles with no cost to the family. Connie Keenan concluded that “ My gut level, she’s a shark. She was after money. My readers were used. My staff was used. It’s sickening. ”

While referring to Jackson as “bizarre” none of the cable reporting about Jackson’s death cited the bizarre courtroom testimony of the plaintiff’s mother, Janet Arvizo. At one point during her testimony, she said that feared her children would disappear from Neverland, Jackson’s ranch, in a hot air balloon.

On Apr 18, 2005, Agence France-Presse reported “The mother of Michael Jackson's young molestation accuser claimed that she feared her children would be spirited away from the star's Neverland Ranch in a hot air balloon. In some of the most bizarre testimony of Jackson's frequently surreal trial, the woman revealed that she told police she feared her three kids would vanish from Neverland into California's blue skies.

[Frank Wako]

If Obama prefers to point out the negative aspects of MJ's life will he do the same when Bill Clinton dies? Remember the Monica Lewinsky scandal? Ignoring the Rwandese genocide?

Obama like many powerful black people wants to be the only black person in lime light. Mandela remains the most genuine black leader who is proud of his fellow blacks' achievements.

[SoCalGal]

We call for complete vindication of Michael Jackson by mainstream media. Michael Jackson was exonerated by a jury of his peers in 2005. Not good enough for his admirers. For his children’s sake, mainstream media must become more responsible. We discuss how truth can compel mainstream media to publicly admit it wrongly accused Michael Jackson of despicable crimes during a trial THEY turned into a circus. Many people still believe Michael Jackson was guilty of these crimes. People were influenced to believe the allegations by a biased mainstream media. Please join us. No links allowed here, so search at Yahoo Groups for "vindication better than tributes."