From left: VP Biden, Prof. Gates, Sgt. Crowley and President Obama (Alex Brandon/AP)What we do know is that Vice President Joe Biden participated as well, and that President Obama drank Bud Light, VP Biden chose Bucklers, Harvard Prof. Henry Gates had a cold Adams Light and Sgt. James Crowley stuck to his favorite, Blue Moon. They also nibbled on peanuts and pretzels.
The beers were served in cold mugs.
Crowley and Gates wore dark suits for the occasion, while Obama and Biden kept their coats off.
How's that for award-winning political reporting?
We also know that Obama told reporters this was not a "beer summit."
"I noticed this has been called the 'Beer Summit.' It's a clever term, but this is not a summit, guys," Obama told reporters earlier.
"This is three folks having a drink at the end of the day, and hopefully giving people an opportunity to listen to each other. And that's really all it is. This is not a university seminar," he added, noting that he was"fascinated with the fascination about this evening."
The goal is to lower the temperature on an event that has become too hyped and symbolic, Obama said, noting that they would try to reduce the "anger and hyperbole," and promote "self-reflection."
Reporters stood 50 feet from the Fantastic Four and were escorted out two minutes into the meeting.
In typical politically correct, puritanistic American fashion, there are some--you know, those who get off on finding the negative and offensive in every situation, regardless of how absurd it is to central issue--who are questioning if the Beer Summit is sending "the wrong message" about the use of alcohol. Ugh!
UPDATE: The White House released the following statement from President Obama after the summit:
"I am thankful to Professor Gates and Sergeant Crowley for joining me at the White House this evening for a friendly, thoughtful conversation. Even before we sat down for the beer, I learned that the two gentlemen spent some time together listening to one another, which is a testament to them. I have always believed that what brings us together is stronger than what pulls us apart. I am confident that has happened here tonight, and I am hopeful that all of us are able to draw this positive lesson from this episode."
Sgt. Crowley held a press conference after the event. He said Gates and he didn't spend much talking about the past but "a lot of time discussing the future." Below are some of his statements:
- "What we have here is two gentlemen who agree to disagree." - We had a cordial and productive discussion today." - "It was a private discussion, it was a frank discussion, and I'd rather not go into specifics." - "This was a positive step moving forward for the whole country." - "We do have a venue in mind for a second discussion." - "There was no tension." - "It's business, but discussing it like gentlemen instead of in the physical sense or in the court of public opinion."
As to the so-called "teaching moment" that news anchors are trying to figure out, I think it's quite clear: dialogue. I see learning in the exchange of perspectives on this and any controversial topic. I see value in healthy discussion vs. irrational bullying.
By the way, I think this would've NEVER taken place in Bush's White House. Bush would've chuckled at Crowley's suggestion to have a beer with Gates; said "yeah, sure," and blown it off. Actually, most likely Bush would've never been asked to comment on the matter while giving a press conference on health care. Obama was sucked into it because he's black...if you ask me.
For background info, check out these previous posts:
Obama-Gates-Crowley Beer Summit scheduled, posted yesterday; Cop to Obama: 'Let's have a beer with Gates', posted July 24; Gates accepts invite for beer with Obama, Crowley, posted July 25
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