What? No statement from the Commander in Chief on the passing of Michael Jackson?! Even when, as Michael Shear reminds, it took Obama no time at all a few weeks ago to “express his sadness to the people of Gabon on the sudden death of notorious dictator President El Hadj Omar Bongo Ondimba of Gabon.”
Spokesman Robert Gibbs explained at today’s White House briefing:
I talked to him about it this morning. Look, [the president] said to me that obviously Michael Jackson was a spectacular performer and a music icon. I think everybody remembers hearing his songs, watching him moonwalk on television during Motown’s 25th anniversary. But the president also said, look, he had aspects of his life that were sad and tragic. And his condolences went out to the Jackson family and to the fans that mourned his loss.
The White House press corps was not satisfied.
“Why not a written statement?” a reporter asked.
“Because I just said it,” Gibbs replied.
“Did he call the family?”
“Not that I know of,” said Gibbs.
Cold.
Imelda Marcos cried! Hugo Chavez lamented! But Barack Obama can’t even pick up the phone?
Probably he wants to avoid anything even close to this. 
Which is smart. The last thing No-drama Obama needs is to get himself tangled up in a Demerol-connected celebrity death mess that’s only just beginning.
Via Slog.
I realized the media was going to flip their shit for 48 hours about this, but I didn’t realize they’d be trying to get others to do it too. It’d be nice if they saved some of that sass for don’t ask, don’t tell. Or anything else, really.
Unlike most of the public, it seems the White House polilticos didn’t forget the whole pedaphilia thing. The less said about MJ, the better.
Jackson’s body was released to his family yesterday but no funeral arrangements were announced. The bizarre nature of his life continued into death, with German doctor Gunther von Hagens claiming: “An agreement is in place to plastinate the King of Pop.”
Dr von Hagens, who is known for embalming bodies in polyurethane, said an agreement had been reached with Jackson months ago for the singer’s body to be plastinated in the moonwalk position and put on show with the plastinated body of his pet chimp, Bubbles.
This little freak of nature, was remembered as a pedophile. If I last recall, Obama is the commander and chief, has to set a good example. And I dont think by calling and giving his condolences to the family of the man who was tried for being a pedophile would be to his advantage. Oh yeah, you say he was not convicted. Neither was O.J. Simpson. Would you give homage and condolences to a family of a pedophile. I dont think so. This is how twisted the world is. Everything that is now wrong in life, we are being forced to accept it. Not me!
Obama adviser Axelrod says president has written Michael Jackson’s family
By Associated Press
10:42 AM CDT, June 28, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP) — A top White House adviser says President Barack Obama has written a private letter to Michael Jackson’s family.
David Axelrod says Obama expressed condolences to the Jacksons. Michael Jackson died Thursday in Los Angeles.
The White House has said Obama saw the pop star as a spectacular performer whose life had sad and tragic aspects. Obama did not issue a statement following Jackson’s death.
White House aides say there are no plans to release the letter to the public.