The White House press secretary previewing the president’s plans for his August Martha’s Vineyard getaway?
No. The White House press secretary’s response to one of multiple “Crowley-Gates Beer“-related questions during today’s press briefing (according to David Corn and others at #WHbrief on Twitter — so, you know, “unverified material” — now verified).
An AP reporter apparently kicked things off with a question about what, beyond beer-drinking, might transpire when the president hosts Prof. Gates and Sgt. Crowley for Thursday beers, to which Gibbs replied it would be a “casual occasion” with “no formal agenda other than cold beer.” Reporters were assured the White House would “set it up so you can get a picture.” Another reporter asked how this might be a “teachable moment” if it’s really “only a picture.”
Here’s how?
I saw it a little differently. Crowley comes in with his Blue Moon, Gates with his Red Stripe. They're all sitting around the game room in front of the big screen. Crowley passes around the Moon, then they all go with the Stripe. After a time, between darts and racks of 8-ball, they break out the cheap beer and at some point a bottle of Jack makes an appearance. Out comes the deck and poker chips. They forget to eat. By that time it's all "I love ya, man." "Yeah, yeah." Back-slapping and butt-patting and bear hugging all around. "Yeah this racial harmony stuff is da BOMB!" There's your teaching moment. Then, somebody says something about somebody's mama. Fisticuffs ensue. Reggie Love makes an appearance, carries them all upstairs to bed. Next thing you know, it's Friday afternoon, everyone having lost a day at work.
#1 Posted by Tom, CJR on Tue 28 Jul 2009 at 07:47 PM