Crowley sweats the media — welcome to the White House! (ap)
Was there ever a more pointless and contrived photo-op than the one that goes down tomorrow on a South Lawn picnic table? Probably — but this one is right up there. Today we learned breathlessly — from an anonymous source — that President Obama will partake of a Bud Light when he sits down with Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and Sgt. James Crowley for their teachable moment. Bloomberg helpfully provides an analysis of Obama’s beer choice:
“He’s trying to send a message that he’s an average American and these are two other average Americans,” said Matt Mackowiack, a Republican strategist. “If you complicate that by making an exotic choice, or an import, or too expensive, you can be too cute by half.”
A big concern among the White House press corps is how the beer-fest, as it’s being called, will be covered. Because nothing screams “awkward” like a forced, conciliatory libation on the lawn with six television cameras, a jostling pack of still photographers and Ed Henry looking on.
At the same time, at least half the point of the deal was for the three to be photographed together, smiling and holding beer, so how to balance interests? “Delicately,” was White House press secretary Robert Gibbs suggestion. It’s also expected to be 90 degrees in Washington on Thursday — not exactly conducive to lingering outside.
During a quickie briefing aboard Air Force One Wednesday as Obama flew from North Carolina to Virginia, the mild bemusement/irritation/gentle mocking of the press was palpable.
MR. GIBBS: Yes, my sense is what we’ll probably do is a pool spray at the beginning.
Q: Wouldn’t a spray at the end be more useful?
MR. GIBBS: For who? For —
Q: For America, it’s his teaching moment.
MR. GIBBS: I’ll take that under advisement.
