Gates et al

I'm a fan of Obama's, as is easily apparent by the things I say. This time, I think he was in error. Though some say that he effectively transformed the moment into a 'teaching opportunity', I think he showed that politics and friendship count for more with him -- at least this time -- than impartiality.

I admit, I'm seizing on details. That he called Gates first, and then the cop, doesn't matter so much -- somebody's got to be first, after all, barring a conference call. That he then said that he thought the cop overreacted, and then added that he supposed Gates did too, had unpleasant nuances to me. And that he then said that Gates had accepted a visit to the White House, and so did the cop -- well, the message I get from that is that he's inviting his friend, and possibly trying to appease those who expect him to be extra-sensitive to black issues -- and since he can't invite just him, he'll invite the cop along, too.

This is just one episode, and it isn't nearly enough to made me think differently, overall, regarding Obama. I'm still glad he's there, still glad that he has the motivations that he does, the goals. But his impulses, I'm not as sure about. I can see how, if you didn't start off liking him, this would easily be an indication that you were right to be wary of him. I really wish he'd stayed out of it. A simple observation that he didn't know the facts, or the details, should have done it.

Not quite feet of clay, but perhaps the pedestal is now a tad shorter.