Obama: ‘I could’ve calibrated those words differently’ – CharlotteObserver.com.

President Barack Obama has called the white policeman who arrested black Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. and says he believes the sergeant to be an outstanding police officer.

On Friday the president said that he continues to think both the officer, Sgt. James Crowley, and Gates overreacted during the incident — but Obama also faulted his own comments.

Making an impromptu appearance at the daily White House briefing, Obama told reporters: “I could’ve calibrated those words differently.”

The president caused a stir when he said at a prime-time news conference earlier this week that police in Cambridge, Mass., had “acted stupidly” by arresting Gates.

Yep…could’ve, but you didn’t.  It is only when the back lash started that you started back peddaling.  Think before you speak Mr. President.  Your friend could’ve handed over his ID when first asked, but he didn’t.  Both parties over reacted, but stepping in and questioning the integrity of the Cambridge police,  not cool. It looks a lot like you and your friend put your race cards on the table and you regretted that it didn’t make you look too good.  I would call your comments acting stupidly, but that wouldn’t be PC.  I’m sure you just misspoke.

***update***
This story just keeps getting better.

Gates has said he returned from an overseas trip, found the door jammed and he and his driver attempted to force it open. Gates went through the back door and was inside the house when police arrived. Police say he flew into a verbal rage when Crowley asked him to show identification to prove he should be in the home. Police say Gates accused Crowley of racial bias, refused to calm down and was arrested.

Gates, 58, maintains he turned over identification when asked to do so. He says Crowley arrested him after the professor followed him to the porch, repeatedly demanding the sergeant’s name and badge number because he was unhappy over his treatment.

So that white woman wasn’t too far off base then when she reported a break in. It just happened to be the owner breaking in. Easy mistake to make.

One more thing I would like to point out…

Sgt. Leon Lashley, a black officer who was at Gates’ home with Crowley at the time of the arrest, said he supported his fellow officer’s action “100 percent.“

Does this make the black officer guilty of racial profiling and trying to keep the black man down? Really Gates? Really? You played the race card on a member of your own race too? What if the white cop hadn’t been there? What would you have called it then? Gimme a break.