Although President Obama didn't release a formal statement on Michael Jackson's death, the "King of Pop" wasn't a stranger to the White House. Back in 1984, President Ronald Reagan welcomed Jackson to the South Lawn for a formal event.
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Obama on Michael Jackson - why no official statement?
By Jimmy Orr | 06.26.09
No official statement from President Obama on Michael Jackson’s death. Surprised?
Whether you were a fan of the “King of Pop” or not, his passing is big, big news. Look at the news networks today. Aside from the occasional update on the Mark Sanford train wreck, it’s been nearly non-stop coverage of Jackson’s death.
And for those who pay attention to presidential politics, you’d know that issuing official statements when a high profile individual passes on is commonplace (although the Obama White House has only issued four thus far). And despite Jackson’s seclusion from the public over the past many years, his star power is/was unmatched.
So why no statement from President Obama?
From the podium
Well if you listen to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, you get a non-answer. When asked why, he flatly replied, “Because I just said it.”
Moments before he had just delivered a rather blase’ accounting of a conversation he had with the president on the issue.
“I talked to him about it this morning,” Gibbs said. “He said to me that obviously Michael Jackson was a spectacular performer and a music icon and I think everybody remembers hearing his songs and watching him moonwalk on television during Motown’s 25th anniversary.”
“But the president also said aspects of his life were sad and tragic,” Gibbs continued. “His condolences went out to the Jackson family and to fans that mourned his loss.”
All planned
Despite his lukewarm approach, the decision to handle it this way was discussed. It was planned. Rarely does something just happen at the White House.
This is not to say White House aides were up all night hotly debating the issue and agonizing over making the decision. That surely didn’t happen. Regardless, the decision not to issue a piece of paper (electronic or not) that said “Statement by the President” was deliberate.
What was the thinking behind it? Hard to say exactly. But appropriateness plays a big role as does perception.
By putting out an official White House statement on a celebrity, what message does it send? This celebrity had unmatched star power. His impact on society is/was immeasurable. His contributions to music, culture, and entertainment could be unsurpassed.
But then there’s the dark side. And that dark side is loud. And unforgettable. As longtime CBS White House correspondent Mark Knoller blogged today, “He was a world-renowned superstar, but there are parts of his life that hardly merit words of tribute from an American President.”
These are the two competing values that the White House communications office had to balance in making the decision.
It’s not as though President Obama wouldn’t talk about Jackson. The press had their chance this morning to ask him about it at his press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. They didn’t ask. So they asked Gibbs.
Surprised
Having worked in politics for most of my professional life (including in George W. Bush’s White House), I was surprised with the decision. Not that I think it was necessarily wrong, but to me Jackson just seemed too big not to.
So I asked a former colleague, Mark Pfeifle, what he thought. Pfeifle was the communications director for the National Security Council in the White House from 2007 - 2009.
“Jackson’s passing is a national moment — an odd one, but I would have advised releasing a statement that praised his contributions to the music and pop culture world, but carefully balanced his very unusual and controversial life. In some ways his life was like watching a car wreck in slow motion,” he said.
What’s the downside to issuing a formal statement?
“Releasing downside is alleged victims could come out against the release or people could claim that the President is not focused on the economy — kind of like the big luau in the Rose Garden yesterday (small chance on both),” Pfeifle added.
Schwarzenegger
Is it different in California? After all, Governor Schwarzenegger (who I also worked for), issued a statement immediately. My former colleague and current press secretary to Schwarzenegger, Aaron McLear, said there was little discussion.
“No drama–Governor wanted to issue a statement so he did,” McLear said.
And Schwarzenegger threaded the needle noting Jackson’s pluses and minuses.
“Today, the world has lost one of the most influential and iconic figures in the music industry. From his performances with the Jackson 5, to the premiere of the ‘moonwalk’ and ‘Thriller,’ Michael was a pop phenomenon who never stopped pushing the envelope of creativity,” Schwarzenegger said.
“Though there were serious questions about his personal life, Michael was undoubtedly a great entertainer and his popularity spanned generations and the globe. Maria and I join all Californians in expressing our shock and sadness over his death and our hearts go out to the Jackson family, Michael’s children and to his fans worldwide.”
All in all, does it matter much? Not really. Despite the venom displayed by some with strong feelings on both sides — evidenced here — this part of the story is over.
The legacy of Michael Jackson, on the other hand, will keep going.
By the way, do you know the story of why Jackson started wearing one white glove? Click here to read about it.
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2. Paul | 06.26.09
First of all, let me say that I have been an ardent supporter of Obama ever since he came into the limelight. Also, even though I have always respected Michael Jackson regardless of what people said about him, I don’t think I could consider myself a “fan” of his, because I just wasn’t exposed to his music all that much. That being said, I am almost disgusted by the fact that Obama has not issued a formal statement regarding Michael Jackson’s death. I sincerely hope I am wrong, but I feel that on Obama’s part, this was purely a move to safeguard his popularity. Regardless of whether you like or hate Michael Jackson, there is no question of his significance to American culture in so many ways. Should I mention that he raised millions of dollars for some 39 charities, according to multiple websites? Like I said, I am not even a fan of MJ, but to me, his charitable work alone makes him deserving of at least some recognition from our President. I could bet that if Jackson did not have the controversial past that he did (and thus the millions who hate him), Obama would have been one of the first to comment on his death. In other words, if it had been anyone other than MJ who was as significant as MJ, Obama would have said something. I really hope Obama comes around and says at least a few things…if he doesn’t I will still support him, but I have to say I will lose a good bit of respect for him.
3. Shawn | 06.26.09
Frankly, it should send a message to the iranians on where our true public sympathies lie and how fickle our care really is. And on a secondary note, I find it sort of a mark of the levels of fame that Farrah Fawcett coverage was gone in an instant. Frankly, I don’t see that politics and pop culture have much to do with one another and I’m exasperated that the political news stations are forced to devote their whole hours to this while a critical climate bill is being passed in the House.
4. Bob | 06.27.09
While Jackson was a great entertainer, he was no role model. His extravagant life style, his anorexia, etc, etc etc. did not set an example for his fans old or young.
Mr. Obama and George Bush before him rarely make mention of those who are the real superstars of this country, the 5,000 young men and women who have died in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Michael Jackson may have been an icon, but Obama was right to take limited notice of his death.
5. Brack | 06.27.09
Just because the press likes to have “statements” from the President on everything, perhaps including the Chinese culinary taste for dogs, doesn’t mean that the President has to oblige. Michael Jackson was not Gandhi, Jesus, Napoleon, Ben Franklin, or Frank Lloyd Wright. He was a great entertainer and there is NO, repeat NO NO requirement that presidents have to issue special “statements” about great entertainers. Press - get over yourselves - you are manufacturing phony news and creating demand for something that doesn’t need to happen unless you provoke it. Shame on you.
BB
6. vint | 06.27.09
I agree with Paul. I am an ardent Obama supporter. Given the passing of an American Icon it behooves an American President to express his condolences. Michael Jackson’s passing is a watershed event in American History, comparable to Presley’s and Lennon’s death and is important enough to be acknowledged by the leader of his country. The premier of Britain acknowledged Jackson’s passing, and so did numerous dignitaries across the world. You have my support Mr. Obama, but you bitterly disappointed me in not having the courage to acknowledge that in the final analysis Jackson’s life was a positive force to many in this land, and around the world. His is a grand American story that could be fittingly eulogized by an eloquent president.
7. Asli | 06.27.09
I am very disappointed in Obama. The biggest talent and the most beloved person of our times -Michael Jackson- dies and he doesn’t release a statement. He is a coward after all.
8. Orson | 06.27.09
Michael polarized the citizens of the planet with his music and dance;
Reaching People beyond Race, Color, and Religion.
No Weapons Required.
He was just as human to have erred, as we all do at some point in our
personal lives. So lets not pretend being circumspect and be judgmental.
Acknowledge his genius in having achieved what politicians can only dream
of.
Somehow Obama did not get it.
Robert Gibbs sounded like a throwback from the last administration.
Some CHANGE !
OVS
9. Ellie | 06.27.09
Could we just get on with life? Yes, even with our grief (to include myself…loved MJ dearly). Let’s concentrate on getting that loan modification or job offer. Or, perhaps a good health care plan (if not for self then for a love one struggling). President Obama’s focus is where it should be. He sent condolences to the family and that is sufficient. I get comfort in telling myself “the Good Lord needed him home.”
10. waheeda fatima frm india | 06.27.09
Michael Jackson is the MOST TALENTED , RENOWNED & LOVED MUSICIAN OF ALL TIMES IN THE HISTORY OF MUSIC…Why president of US didnt say anythng abt the LEGENTS death so far is a question ??Coz MJ won LAURELS for the country…his mesage for love , peace & harmony spred all around the world…
There is no comparison of MJ wth any other celebrity of the world…MJ IS IMMORTAL ,,his music ,songs will be forever…..
11. maria | 06.27.09
M Jackson deserves not only formal condolence from US President but he must adress the nation and the whole world for the loss of the GREATEST SINGER ,MUSICIAN OF ALL TIMES…..
12. maria | 06.27.09
Michael Jackson achieved that height that no matters if US PRESIDENT comments on his death or no…why people expect ony US PRESIDENT ? Why not all presidents , celebrities , all musicians around the world mourn death of LEGEND…??? Michael crossed all borders..people of all religion . faith . colour & status love michael madlyy……
13. mm | 06.27.09
obviously we all should issue formal statements on the death of Michael Jackson, then compare and compete to see how sorry and pathetic they are. !! To think the President should issue a statement, in person, over the death of a music celebrity is taking american culture to new lows of depravity. you guys are disgusting.
14. nur | 06.27.09
MJ was, first of all things, a very good human that you or any President could not even imagine to become. He deserved to be respected and loved, but he was slandered and ridiculed instead. He died and some shameless people still continue to be disrespectful towards him and his fans. I refer you to God.
15. Elizabeth Ludwig | 06.27.09
I am so tired of M. Jackson coverage, but at least it proves I can use the off button on tv and not miss the constant coverage of the same thing over and over. While MJ might have been an icon in the 80s, he certainly isn’t in the 21st c. Other than the ‘Thriller’ album, and buying the Beatles songbook, what has he done? He was a better dancer than singer, and I won’t go into his personal foibles. So again I ask, why the non-stop coverage? Is it because media think the people are so dumb they have to be told over and over what has happened. Apparently so, because they do the same thing with weather coverage. Do yourself a favor - turn off your tv, listen to music (even MJ if that’s your preference), or better yet, read a book.
16. Ben R | 06.27.09
“Whether you were a fan of the “King of Pop” or not, his passing is big, big news. Look at the news networks today.”
So am I to believe that news is big news if every news agency covers it? If it will move papers it is big news? I guess the Monitor thinks it is big news then because all their competitors happen to be covering it as well. I don’t think you need to have studied formal logic in the past to realize how bogus that statement is.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t President Obama contact the family to wish them condolences? Why should he also have to do that publicly?
17. T Pen | 06.27.09
MANY GENERATIONS OF PEOPLE ARE GRIEVING THE LOSS OF MICHAEL. HE WAS AN ICON. OBAMA NEEDS TO COMMENT ON HIS PASSING OUT OF RESPECT. HE NEEDS TO REMEMBER THAT MICHAEL WAS THE REAL ROCK STAR - NOT HIM.
18. John | 06.27.09
What? If we need this much coverage and a statement from the president, we are, as a nation, more pathetic then I could have ever imagined. I thought we tormented him in the news too much while he was alive and NOW everyone comes to his side. No Celebrity deserves this much coverage and there is no reason any president has to say anything about any celebrity… GET A LIFE!!!
19. Ruggy | 06.27.09
The world will end if President Obama does not only make a formal statement on global television proclaiming Michael Jackson to have been the greatest musical genius of the modern era, but also abandon the Presidency to become a Michael Jackson lookalike / soundalike performer in time to change his name to Michael Jackson and fulfill the 50 sold out shows in London, followed by a world tour lasting years.
20. Jennifer | 06.27.09
While I was suprised and sorry to hear that Michael Jackson died at such a young age, and while I too was enamored with his music, I still can’t get past the fact that the young boys he involved in whatever bizarre fantasy he was living, will have to deal with it for the rest of their lives. I would like to send my sincere condolences to the family of Farrah Fawcett.
21. miss riverside | 06.27.09
I am a great fan of MJ and probly always will- but obama gave a fit statement- if he choose to do something xtra let it be from his heart. Michael is and will be the number one entertainer in my eyes. I respect the man for being him no matter what others said. I will mourn for a while.
I have herd some bad things about MJ. I just let the HATERS speak their sorry minds-
MJ is loved by millions> we all gotta make that same fate one day- I ask all you haters how many sites will crash or TV stations will report your transition from life.
P.S: words of advice respect the dead!
22. Nextonesigned | 06.28.09
Clearly the President has again missed the mark by not issuing a statement about The Greatest entertainers of all times it shows that this President is bounded and influenced by those who are more concerned by his perception and not by what is The right and proper thing to do does our President know that it was Michael Jackson that made it possible for the likes of a President Obama to become President of the Greatest country on earth? Its sad how soon one forgets even sadder that after one arrives the thought of how they got there never enters ones mind they say that silence is golden but if the man in the mirror is talking even if the conversation is not recorded can the man walk away as if nothing ever happened?
23. MattinPA | 06.28.09
First of all, this question is not a legitimate subject for a column on a serious news organization’s website. As symbolic leaders of the nation, presidents can appropriately speak to the nation about matters of real national concern: wars, economic downturns, civic disasters and so forth. The death of Michael Jackson is simply not a matter of national trauma in any real way. There’s a great deal of media chatter about it, but that’s because our society is pathologically obsessed with celebrities. It’s really that simple. Mr. Jackson’s death is, I’m sure, honestly traumatic to his friends and family. Anyone else who’s traumatized and thinks this is something on which the president of the United States should be spending his time needs, frankly, to get a grip—and get a life.
24. Completely Shocked!!! | 06.28.09
Michael Jackson is dead??????????
Man I’ve been working too much!
25. PCL | 06.28.09
I think it was just fine that there was no official statement. Obama has more important matters than the sad life of a drug-crazed has-been whose main accomplishment was getting the world to pay billions of dollars for some really bad music. Having said that, I should add that Jackson was extremely talented as a child and could have grown into a good musician as well as a great entertainer. It’s a pity that as his career progressed, he veered toward the latter and away from the former.
26. angel | 06.28.09
I am really sad obama has not come out and said something nice about Michael Jackson . Obama is making the same mistake queen Elizabeth made with Diana
and it will not do him any favors i for one will think a great deal less of him as i did with our queen.
27. Patikara | 06.28.09
I also very surprised that President Obama did not release a statement (a deja vu from Princess Diana’s death and Queen Elizabeth)
I am VERY disappointed in President Obama’s decision.. After all Michael Jackson was one of the biggest American icon
28. joena lopez | 06.28.09
The decision of Obama not to issue a public statement at the death of Michael Jackson is bizzare, to say the least. Michael Jackson wasn’t a perfect model, but who is?
29. Daniel Tamm | 06.29.09
The President expressed his condolences to the Jackson family. End of story.
Amen #23.
30. Donneva E. Johnson | 06.29.09
I must say that I am surprised that the Obama’s did not make a statement (public or otherwise) about the death of Michael Jackson and Farah Fawcett. Even a breif acknowlegement of the passing would have been another way to solidify the glue that holds this world together.Unity. We are the world and none of us us exempt from death. And because of Michael’s music we are all connected in one way or the other. So by having the President make a statement to the public would just be showing his human side too.
I do hope that he sent a private message to the family. And because of the way he and Michell were raised, I am sure they did.
Donneva E. Johnson
Oakland, CA.
32. Nicola | 07.01.09
Someone above said it best. MJ was NOT Ghandi, Mother Theresa, Napoleon, or Ben Franklin. He was an entertainer that made it big, and that does NOT mean that the U.S. Government needs to acknowledge him. MJ is NOT OFFICIAL BUSINESS OF THE U.S. GOVERNMENT! Not only that, no matter how much he changed the face of Pop, I have children and don’t deem him an example to be followed.
There are far too many other things to worry about right now than whether or not Obama cared to put out a statement for MJ. I’m sorry. I mean, if he’s to put out a statement for MJ, what about Billy Mays who changed the face of infomercials? Or every entertainer that we consider celebrity who died? There are tons of them that touch all corners of the globe and it’s not expected. MJ just is not that all important. Sorry.
33. Joe | 07.02.09
Please leave politic to politicians and entertainment to entertainers.
Obama is a very smart Presidant,great leader.
34. Laura | 07.08.09
I absolutely agree, and the silence has gone on way too long at this point. Quite disturbing. He’s got a speech writer, for crying out loud, and they’re paid to be politically correct when writing words that deal with potentially sensitive issues like the accusations he was exonerated of way back when.
Anyway, I don’t get it and I don’t like it. I think he should read your blog and then read mine, lol!
http://www.lauratrojan.com/2009/07/7409-dear-president-obama/
35. Anne | 07.17.09
I think President Obama just like Oprah are protecting their image by not acknowledging Michael’s death just like Queen Elizabeth did with Princess Diana. Frankly their silence has reduced my respect for them. Michael regardless of the contreversy is beloved by the world and he is an AMERICAN. His humanitarian contribution and his gift of music to the world are unsurpassed. His death deserves to be acknowledged through statements by our dignitaries. He has become one of the greatest American Icons, definitely the greatest in the world of music. These two individuals through their silence reinforce the negativity and dark forces at work against Michael. History will tell the rest.
36. Baggio Olis | 08.25.09
One can make mistake once in life, could be major, could be minor, such is life. Jacko made his, turns to be deserstrous in his life. That doesn’t mark off his impact in life. What white house says or not doesn’t matter, what matters is that his massage one way or the other was a blessing.
Just wonna say ‘WE MISS U AND WILL ALWAYS DO JACKO. R.I.P BROTHER AND FRIEND.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. Miss. Mika | 06.26.09
Are you kidding me. Don’t get me wrong Michel Jackson is the best but are you seriously saying Obama needs to get on channel five news a give a damn statement. I can’t even believe you people wrote a report on the subject. I’m sure he sent his regards. He does not need to do it publicly. Do you think bush or mcain would have done it. MJ is important but damn, yall aint got else to write about! Just let the man rest in peace!