– Post Bumped and Updated With The Video –
The first U.S. journalist to rise and ask a question during the official press conference between President Obama and Malaysian Prime Minister Najib was Chuck Todd from NBC News.
What does he choose to ask about ?
The Russia v Ukraine crisis? EU Sanctions and growing fears of NATO nations? G7 and the fears of another world war? The collapse of a Japanese trade deal from the previous day ? The coordination of U.S. search efforts for Missing Malaysian airlines MH-370? Pan-Asian relations and nuclear agreements?
Pfffffftt…. silly rabbit.
Why… LA Clippers Owner Donald Sterling, and the existence of racism in the USA of course.
Race-baiters gotta’ race-bait. And… of course President Obama has a well briefed response reflecting he has been *THOROUGHLY* apprised of the situation.
Video
On #donaldsterling racial comments, President says "they kind of speak for themselves" …
— Ed Henry (@edhenry) April 27, 2014
Actually, one of the most interesting aspects of his response was not so much that he “did” respond – which was initially surprising – but more transparently interesting was the appearance of fully expecting the meatball question to be Tee’d up for him.
Even the overnight live CNNi crew seemed a little surprised at how much time Dear Leader then invested in answering the question and the seemingly well prepared in advance remarks….
The POTUS-Malaysian PM joint presser has begun. pic.twitter.com/Lg0lyIH5fp
— Chuck Todd (@chucktodd) April 27, 2014
On racist remarks attributed to Clippers owner, POTUS says when "ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance…you just let them talk."
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) April 27, 2014
President said of #donaldsterling "when ignorant folks want to advertise their ignorance" …. "have to be clear & steady in denouncing" it
— Ed Henry (@edhenry) April 27, 2014
Pres Obama says NBA Commissioner Adam Silver a good man and is confident he will address the situation involving Clippers owner.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) April 27, 2014
Jim Acosta (CNN), noticing the tone of conversation which was leaning toward quizzical interest into the sense of it all, immediately said on live TV Obama’s responding comments about the controversy were “interesting” and “fascinating“.
Obama stopped short of saying if he had a racist uncle he’d look like Donald Sterling.
Just short, and not by much.
I’ll look for video later.
UPDATE: Video Posted
Maybe.