By now, most NewsBusters readers have seen the Drudge Report item alleging that President Obama called rapper Kanye West (he of the "George Bush doesn't care about black people" fame) a "jackass." This report originated with Terry Moran's rogue tweet to that effect, which later caused ABC to apologize to the White House for relaying off-the-record information to the public at large.
Gossip Web site TMZ.com, however, has no such qualms about relaying off-the-record statements made by celebrities -- even, or especially, when the celebrity in question is the President of the United States. TMZ acquired an audio recording of the President's comments, found here.
The most striking thing about this audio, however, is not that the leader of the free world is irritated with the behavior of a well-documented boor -- it is that the President and the press are so jovial with each other. The first question is asked by someone named John, probably John Harwood of CNBC. The collegial "Does that count as the first question?" sounds a bit like White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, though without video it is impossible to be absolutely certain.
The transcript of these comments can be found below.
TMZ Audio
JOHN HARWOOD, CNBC: Were your girls as hacked off as mine were that Kanye gave Taylor Swift the Joe Wilson treatment?
OBAMA: I thought that was really inappropriate. I mean, it’s like, she’s getting an award, what are you butting in? I, I hear ya, I agree with ya.
ROBERT GIBBS, White House press secretary: John, does that count as the first question?
[laughter]
OBAMA: The young lady seems like a perfectly nice person, she’s getting her award. What’s he doing up there?
[UNIDENTIFIED] Why would he do that?
OBAMA: He’s a jackass.
[gaggle bursts into laughter]
OBAMA: Now –
[UNIDENTIFIED] That’s what Pink said!
OBAMA: Where’s the pool? Come on, guys. Cut the President some slack. I got a lot of other stuff on my plate. Cause I remember last time it was the fly thing. That was the highlight of, uh –
HARWOOD: Now that worked out well for you.* You were a ninja.
OBAMA: Except PETA!
GIBBS: Yeah, Reggie uh, Reggie [Love; Obama's personal assistant?] has the fly to release in about seven minutes.
OBAMA: [chuckles]
UNIDENTIFIED: You got the chopsticks this time?
OBAMA: Yeah, right.
* Harwood was the reporter who interviewed Obama in the now-infamous, PETA-inflaming fly-swatting episode.
Editor at Large
Comments Policy
FOR ONCE
September 15, 2009 - 16:07 ET by jacktheripperPOTUS GETS IT RIGHT!!!
"The American Republic will endure, until politicians realize they can
bribe the people with their own money." – Alexis de Tocqueville
ABC News
September 15, 2009 - 16:14 ET by P.J. GladnickABC News: "Please forgive Terry Moran for reporting what the president actually said. We promise that won't happen again if we don't get permission."
that puzzled me too
September 15, 2009 - 16:21 ET by katainkentthis is hardly his first 'non presidential' comment and this time they want to squish it? Why?
Maybe because it's a black
September 15, 2009 - 17:07 ET by motherbeltMaybe because it's a black guy that he called a jackass?
(gasp)
September 15, 2009 - 16:16 ET by adfishSmacks of racism. Calling the lawyers now...
Celebrity In Chief
September 15, 2009 - 16:22 ET by TruthMattersCelebrity In Chief
Yeah, that's the thing I
September 15, 2009 - 16:25 ET by Mike SargentYeah, that's the thing I really don't get. I AGREE with the President.
With this president, that's an exceedingly rare thing.
I've no idea why the President doesn't take advantage of my brief slip of bipartisanship :D
Don't worry Mike
September 15, 2009 - 16:58 ET by RukusBarry will "recalibrate" his words in 3... 2... 1...
Gary
Levi Johnstoned: The One Trick Phoney!
Yep, he got it right. He
September 15, 2009 - 17:03 ET by Ruths husband BenYep, he got it right. He is a jackass. Nothing more needs to be said.
Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read. - Groucho
Obama called a spade, a spade
September 15, 2009 - 19:49 ET by jdlybrandI know that's extremely unacceptable in our politically correct world, but even Obama cannot deny that's what he did. Kudos to the POTUS. A jackass by any other name would still be a jackass!
"What a revoltin' development this is!"
Chester Riley
I'm frightened
September 15, 2009 - 17:06 ET by Kat Outta the BagI actually agree with Dear Leader on something. I want my Mommy!
he dissed PETA too
September 15, 2009 - 17:08 ET by katainkentthat's two things. I hear a stern letter being pounded into a keyboard right now from some really pissed off vegans.
KatOuttaBag~
September 15, 2009 - 17:21 ET by Georgia GirlMe too. It's a shock to the system.
there there Kat
September 15, 2009 - 17:33 ET by cajun2Not to worry Dear, we are all here for you. The situation will correct itself at his next news conference.
or the next 5 celebrity appearances
September 15, 2009 - 17:38 ET by katainkentbloody he**.
Cripes
September 15, 2009 - 19:53 ET by Kat Outta the BagNote to self: Do NOT turn on the TV this coming Sunday.
Well
September 15, 2009 - 17:21 ET by well99Give credit where credit is due.I agree with Obama on this.I had some different language that applied more to West but Obama is the president so he shouldnt use that type of language.
Well~
September 15, 2009 - 17:42 ET by Georgia GirlKinda inappropriate to decorum, wouldn't ya say? (the jacka** comment). Don't you think Obama should go down on the House floor now and apologize?
Bwahahahahaha!
P.S. Did anybody catch that the "reprimand" vote for Joe Wilson? That was so unbelievably ridiculous. It made the Dems look petty and silly.
But Georgia Girl, Obama
September 15, 2009 - 17:55 ET by celatorBut Georgia Girl, Obama wasn't mad because West dissed Swift's big moment, he was ticked because West didn't yell, "Obama is the greatest president who ever lived!!" into the mike. ;+}
No citizen's right to life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, or property is safe as long as Obama is President of the United States.
Celator~
September 15, 2009 - 18:32 ET by Georgia GirlOh, it's all making sense now. ;)
GG
September 15, 2009 - 18:19 ET by well99Well being a knuckle dragger I thought it was mild....) .I give him dues for not trying to blow it off.The msm will surely try that.I didnt catch the Dems on the Joe Wilson vote.I already had a good idea how stupid they would be.They are consistant though.Hypocrites to the end.
Well~
September 15, 2009 - 18:38 ET by Georgia GirlI agree. I didn't have any problem with what Obama said (was just kidding about it being inappropriate, in case that was hard to tell) -- it's one of the few times I've agreed with him!^_^
GG
September 15, 2009 - 21:53 ET by well99I figured you were kidding.I going have to hit youtube for vids on the Dems trying to censure Joe Wilson.Cant wait till they do the same to Harry Reid.
Does anyone else get the
September 15, 2009 - 21:22 ET by fitzfongDoes anyone else get the sense that Obama used Terry Moran as a willing prop to deliberately leak the "jackass" comment for public consumption? This has Alinskyite staging written all over it...one one hand, he gets credit for criticism of one of his supporters while on the other hand, the "leaked", "off-the-record" nature of the comment creates the impression that he has better things to do with his time than make public statements about some low-rent celebutard.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
Sad
September 15, 2009 - 17:51 ET by EddieWalkerIt is so disapointing that the President of the United States is more away of what's going on at the Video Awards then the rest of the world, or even in Washington DC. The more I hear from him, the smarter Paris Hilton and Jessica Simpson become.
Eddie~
September 15, 2009 - 18:44 ET by Georgia GirlWell, that's an interesting point. I tend to think of Obama as a "my way or the highway" sort who has others do the tough work and play the "heavy" when necessary. But he also doesn't seem fully engaged, so I can see your point...
This is probably the one and
September 15, 2009 - 17:51 ET by mostlymoderateThis is probably the one and only time I will be proud to have Obama as my President. Kanye was a jackass and Obama said less than I would have. 1 point for Obama :)
So, since Obama is half
September 15, 2009 - 20:39 ET by ckc1227So, since Obama is half white, does this mean he is half racist for making this comment?
Wit
September 15, 2009 - 20:40 ET by Free StinkerHe's half something . . .
And that's being generous,
September 15, 2009 - 22:20 ET by ckc1227And that's being generous, lol.
off-the-record information
September 15, 2009 - 21:22 ET by CarlosSRight...., this president doesn't do anything that's not scripted
Surprise
September 15, 2009 - 21:24 ET by slickwillie2001I am somewhat surprised that the Bamster did not instinctively defend the black person. There's a spark of hope there. The pessimist in me might have expected him to say that "Taylor Swift acted stupidly" or something like that.
Maybe Terry Moran coached him.
The President
September 15, 2009 - 21:49 ET by Tugboat Philowes an immediate apology to the jackass community!
Gun Control - The theory that a woman found dead in an
alley, raped and strangled with her own pantyhose, is somehow morally
superior to a woman explaining to police how her attacker got that
fatal bullet wound.
Kanye seems to have a
September 15, 2009 - 23:08 ET by CooltomKanye seems to have a problem with unscripted remarks on live TV. Tell me this. If his remarks at the MTV show were an indication of jackassery would not his Katrina remark about how "George Bush hates black people" be also deemed equally as insulting?
I don't remember Kanye making a big rush to issue numerous apologies in that case. Most blacks and lefties applauded the statement. I don't recall Dubya ever commenting on the slight. I doubt if there is a record of Obama registering any outrage at the time.
Looks like Kanye just got
September 15, 2009 - 23:42 ET by Seabeach4348Looks like Kanye just got all wee-wee'd up over Katrina and naturally blamed Bush.
But Kanye's still is and always will be a jackass and an idiot.