Pessimism On Post-Racial Presidency

Again and again, President Obama seems to get it wrong.  Worse though, America hasn't seemed to figure it out that the President who wants to see the racial tensions of past erased, only seems to exacerbate them.

In July 2009, President Obama rushed to the defense of Henry Gates Jr. who had a confrontation with police after police were informed it appeared he was trying to break into his home.  Police responded to the incident and charged Mr. Gates with disorderly conduct.  President Obama rushed to judgement citing that the police "acted stupidly."

In 2013, President Obama rushed to defend Trayvon Martin who he had said "could have been me."  In the Martin case, Mr. Obama missed the fact that evidence on scene pointed towards the probability that Mr. Martin attacked George Zimmerman.

Now comes 2014 and an incident we are still learning about where President Obama decries the death of Michael Brown before evidence is in, but Mr. Obama seems to be the one who once again is playing the race card in the death of a black teenager.

The death of Michael Brown is heartbreaking, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family and his community at this very difficult time.  As Attorney General Holder has indicated, the Department of Justice is investigating the situation along with local officials, and they will continue to direct resources to the case as needed.  I know the events of the past few days have prompted strong passions, but as details unfold, I urge everyone in Ferguson, Missouri, and across the country, to remember this young man through reflection and understanding.  We should comfort each other and talk with one another in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds.  Along with our prayers, that’s what Michael and his family, and our broader American community, deserve.

Mr. Obama is very prevalent in this case, discerning evidence before it is presented.  What happens if the officer shot Mr. Brown because he was being attacked?  What happens if another innocent was shot because of his actions and not the officers.

One thing is for sure.  Mr. Obama has been conspicuously hard to find when it comes to issues like gun running to Mexican drug cartels by his ATF.  I do not remember this much effort on behalf of the Brian Terry family after the Border agent was killed by guns that Obama's Justice Department allowed to walk across the border.

Unfortunately, Mr. Obama can not figure out if he wants to be a post racial President or not.  Again and again, it is clear he sees through a race based lens.  If the leader of the greatest country on Earth does it, why wouldn't lesser people?  Mr. Obama needs to remember his campaign promise and start looking at issues of fact and not fear or his will be a post-racial Presidency based on pessimism and not promise.