Four Guys Having A Beer

Photograph of, from left, Vice President Joe Biden, Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates, Cambridge Police Sergeant James Crowley, and President Barack Obama by Alex Brandon/AP

The most-eagerly awaited executive office beer/photo op/cherry-on-top- of-a-controversy -that-spurred-a- discussion-about- race-relations has happened. President Barack Obama welcomed Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Cambridge Police Sergeant James Crowley, two men whose last meeting was much more fraught. Vice President Joe Biden joined in for a (non-alcoholic) brew as well. According to the Caucus, "What are they drinking? Well, for those who believed Bud Lite would be the drink of choice for Mr. Obama, they are in luck, as are those who thought Sgt. Crowley would stay with Blue Moon. Mr. Gates drank Sam Adams Light (a Massachusetts-based brew), and Mr. Biden chose a Bucklers, a non-alcohol beer. Maybe Mr. Biden has to drive home."

Politico, which noticed that "Crowley was seen sipping his beer during the brief photo-op, while Obama and Biden could be seen digging into a bowl of pretzels and peanuts," has some of Obama's remarks to the press before the drink:

“I am, I have to say, fascinated about the fascination with this evening,” Obama told reporters during an Oval Office meeting with the president of the Philippines Thursday afternoon.

“I noticed this has been called the beer summit,” Obama said. “It’s a clever term but this is not a summit, guys. 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 all it is.”

“This is not a university seminar,” said Obama. “It’s an opportunity to have some personal interaction when an issue has become so hyped and so symbolic that you lose sight of just the fact that these are people involved, including myself. All of whom are imperfect.”

Meanwhile, also in DC, a lawyer who "jokingly" said he hated the police in earshot of the police was arrested for disorderly conduct.

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By Jen Chung in News on July 30, 2009 7:05 PM

Comments [rss]

Matt Joyce

Real presidents drink scotch.

ides_of_march

Obama probably would rather be having a banana daquari with a cute little umbrella in it.

seven

I like the dynamic in this picture:

Officer Crowley seems to be looking at listening to Gates, who seems to be making a point. Obama leaning back focused on Gates and Crowley.

Meanwhile, Biden is obviously saying something, but nobody seems to be listening...

joshuadog

Is that Ol' E that Gates is drinking ?

Billiamsburg

the best part was when Obama let one rip and they all cracked up and the professor was like 'damn son! dat be stinkin!' then Biden was like 'now dats some shit we can all agree to!'and then they freeze framed and credits.

Manitoba

+1

Felix Hoenikker

http://xkcd.com/617/

Jen S

I think it's hilarious that we're reading into this so much.

sexisicilian

I wish I can go & have a beer with the President of the United States. At least he does what he says, the ignorant people in this country have to chill out sometimes. Look at what other world leaders do in Europe, etc. They do not care that is why they live so long. Live and let live !!

farleft

There's a creepy KKK wizard ghost, upside down, behind Crowley. Coincidence? I think not.

farleft

Come on people...look at the picture! If that's not proof that Crowley is in the KKK, then MJ's ghost doesn't really haunt Neverland!

KiljoyWasHere

I love that no commenters have mentioned anything about what was actually said at the beer summit.

Also PS I think I will now have to refer to every happy hour as a beer summit.

valeriob

This is the most amazing thing i've ever seen.

gabe

obama, gates and biden never drank their beers. cop was the only one to take a swig.

Manitoba

I like Obama, and I'm liking much of what he's doing politically, but this whole Beer Summit thing is ridiculous.

wobbleSmith

i disagree that this is ridiculous. in fact, i think it is hands-down the most innovative, interesting lead-by-example position i've ever seen taken on racism/racial america. use your words, not al sharpton/rush limbaugh.

it's really interesting and if it encourages more parties at odds over race (or religion or sexual orientation or whatever) to sit and drink together -- talking TO each other, rather than at each other -- i'm all for it...

...because that can only lead to a hot, intercultural orgy of epic proportions. which is what america is all about.

Manitoba

Ok - I guess talking about race is interesting, and it's better than covering it up.

But, all of the posturing (especially by Skip Gates) for the camera is completely absurd. Additionally, I think the neighbor, who initially made the call, should have been invited. Just because she's a woman, she can drink beer too.

hotstepper

you make good funny. orgy ahoy!

Pharmer

I think he's just doing it to make up for what he said, which I don't think is that big of a deal in the first place.

texinyc

I have to agree with a few of the comments, that I just really like this picture.

I know it's a photo-op and not necessarily as legitimate as it could, or is meant to appear, but at least it's an effort.

I just can't help but laugh a bit at all the people who voted for Bush because they felt like, 'They could sit down and have a beer with him.', when he doesn't even drink, and now there's this picture.