CNN

[...] but I'm perfectly willing to call a spade a spade when a Republican is being an idiot, and in this case, imho, a Republican is being an [...]

[...] GOP leader bashes Obama's happy hour RNC Co-Chairman Jan Larimer sharply criticized President Obama on Friday for his 'beer summit' meeting [...] [...]

[...] CNN Political Ticker: All politics, all the time Blog Archive ... By CNN's Jeff Simon SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) – Republican National Committee Co-Chairman Jan Larimer criticized President Obama Friday for his White House meeting with a professor and a police officer, saying the president needs to focus on more ... CNN Political Ticker – http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/ [...]

[...] 1, 2009 by njgeorge02 I saw on CNN's Political Ticker this morning that apparently there is a little storm brewing (no pun intended) over President Obama's so-called "beer summit" with Skip Gates [...]

Carole Lombard ( what are you a dead comedian?) Obama and the Beer Summit shows whats right with this country. Nothing but a bunch of men drinking a cold one appears more American to me........ The whole thing was blown up out of porportion. What do you want Sarah Palin skinning a dead moose for the photo ops?

PS ..... What great advertising for Blue Moon/ Red Stripe/ and Bud Light.... I drank my first Blue Moon..... not bad not bad.

seems to me that we are all ready to move on, but Larimer sure seems to want to milk it out

Oh yeah sure Larimer, your absolutely right. Three men sitting down together like mature adults to work out their issues with each other and to hopefully dissolve some of the deep seated racial issues that have plagued this country for centuries is not what this country is all about! Leave it up to a rethuglican to say something that asinine.

"We need to focus on more important issues, like the needless war that our party lied about in order to begin."

Really Larimer? Really? Are you sure thats what you want to let out of your mouth? Really? I mean come on Larimer, REALLY?

Republican's acting stupidly...

What is Bush took to much vacation time the talking point that NPR/DailyLoss and Keith Olberbum and Chrissy Matthews told you all to come out to in response to this phony photo-op?

Sheep bleating like one term fools while being scared bleepless at the polls showing the coward in chiefs numbers going down faster than Monica....

Coward is out after four hapless years. PERIOD.

What is the deal here. Sounds like sour grapes. larimer states this after she sees the Nimitz deploy. Who does she think deployed the Nimitz? The Navy and the Commander-in-Chief! Obama is capable of multi-tasking and I guess she isn't.

And the GOP leadership should have more important things to do than to politicize a meeting at the White House that obviously many regular citizens cared about. I'm sure Mr. Larimer’s comments will lead to the media scrutinizing the activities of Congressmen and women and how they spend their work week in order to determine whether their priorities are aligned with the Nations best interests,...and they should of course take a close look at Mr. Larimer’s schedule as well. Nah…that would require journalists to do too much investigative reporting,...which I guess is why people like Mr. Larimer get away with silly, hypocritical comments like this one

If the trivial criticism wasn't coming from GOP Larimer, I would find it almost unbelievable. Here you have Prez. Obama, who is clearly trying to ease the tension of a race tainted situation, not just for the benefit of the players involved, but for the entire country, and you have an idiot like Larimer and those who think like him, who believe that the meeting was unimportant. The meeting was only for a short period of time and it was time well spent. It's apparent that Larimer doesn't think that race relations is important. Perhaps he should consult Gates and Crowley to ascertain whether or not the meeting was worthwhile. It's Larimer's criticism that's a waste of time and does nothing to improve race relations.

What is this country about, Mr.Larimer? Invading foreign countries? Yes, we're at war because YOU got is there!!!

What do you want the President to do? To bomb North Korea? To invade Iran?

i think obama handled the situation perfectly, he turned a bad situation into something good. Not many people could have done that. The GOP are suggesting obama ignore the whole thing and duck and cover until the heat dies down because thats what a republican like Bush would do. Well sorry GOP, we have a real president who can make things happen. By the way, Bush didnt even show up for half of his days in office during the war because he was on vacation, I didnt hear any complaints from the GOP back then!!!!!!!!!!!! maybe if bush HAD come to work iraq wouldnt have taken so long to get under control. wait, on second though if Bush had come to work more often things probably would have been worse!!!! hahahaha!!!!!!

perhaps they should have walked the Appalacian Trail together – perhaps the GOP's would have thought that was ok.

Give me a break.

Well, This one is another excuse for these GOP guys....silly guys...after collapsing the economy, they are talking....nonsense....ok...what is wrong in getting these two guys together by pres. obama??? Doesn't Ronald Regan do slip of the tongue???? They did not say any thing in 1980s, why saying now...it is a slip of the tongue....ok, don't make a big deal...silly guys...it is quite normal....for human being...ok....Just work on fixing Health care now...we need health care reform...ok...do it and talk...don't talk rubbish....

Mrs. Larimar I think that racial continuity and tolerance between members of our american community is as important as economic and military actions that this country is now engaged in. Anything that brings us together as a nation, no matter how the small or large the jesture may appear to be I should be welcomed.

RB

Leave it to an idiot, racist republican to find something wrong with the president trying to bring people together to iron out wrinkles of difference.

Sad...so sad...

The GOP has nothing better to do than bash President Obama. Its about time the GOP stop bash and start doing the job they were elected to do; and this does not mean neglect the American people. Its time to put up or shut up GOP..... Start caring about all Americans and not just the ones who elected you......

This was a "pothole" in the road for our President. He made a big mistake with his original comments and – responding to public condemnation – he compounded his error by hosting this ridiculous "pow-wow". Please Mr. President, get back on track dealing with the very serious issues facing the United States at this crucial time.

Is she kidding? After the Bush and Chaney moran show that started a war in Iraq that didn't need to be fought, she is critiquing the guy who was elected to clean up their mess. I wonder if she knows how stupid she sounds.

What an awfully silly man Larimer is.

Come on. This is silly to be complaining about the "beer summit". Makes Larimer look like a grasping bully.

This is in refer to Republican National Committee Co-Chairman Jan Larimer for criticized President Obama. Talking about that we are at war. Maybe would not be at war if we set down and had a beer. and talking this out instead of shooting.

That's right, GOP! There sure are bigger fish to fry, aren't there? Like making sure Obama's birth certificate really is genuine. Way to go, fellas! As the former prez might say, "heckuva job!" Congratulations on taking yet another step into the abyss of irrelevance.

Shut up Larimer! and the Republicans......

A Republican complaining because of someone striving for racial harmony. Talk about a party out of touch.

Another nail in the GOP coffin. These guys don't have a clue, don't know when to shut up. What about all the wasted time spent on sleeping or eating or visiting the can? The leader of the free world cannot afford to take his mind off the more important problems of the world for a second. Now here's a real teachable moment. I'm learning a lot about the GOP. Keep talking, I'm loving it.

Bush had 8 years of "happy hour" in the White House and it cost this country more than a beer and the GOP said nothing while they voted 100 percent at our expense. The GOP needs to sit down and shut up.

Serious? Having a beer at 6:00 pm is considered not being on the watch??? Serious???? A person trying to reconcile differences in a reasonable, calm manner is ridiculed? Serious????????

Really? I cut out early for happy hour sometimes and it's not nearly as productive as O's.

Lady you need to get a grip. Maybe if you had a beer summit with a friend you would not be so up tight and judgemental. I, for one, am glad the president takes a little time for himself, because his job would surely be overwhelming if he didn't. Great job Mr. President, keep up the good work.

I appreciate your view on the beer party at white house hosted by the president at this troubling time in America's history. But let me remind you that racial profile is a serious war in America that could undermine our unity and efforts on how we deel with external wars. The president beer party is a teachable moment – finding solution to the racial profile war, is worth the president's time.

Are you kidding me? The GOP are now criticizing Obama for trying to make a bad situation that garnered a lot of national attention a little better by bringing two men together for a beer and a little common ground...no Ms. Larimer that is EXACTLY what our country is about! Finding ways to come together an fix problems...perhaps the GOP should try that approach? Why don't we start bridging divisions rather than creating them?

lol... how amazingly hypocritical, as if i expected anything else from republicans.. but, wasn't george bush fundamentally on vacation for years while he had US troops fighting an unnecesary war in iraq, based on completely distorted information. so, 7 years later, obama has to fight the war that should have been fought 7 years ago, and some idiot republican has the nerve to talk about how obama spends ONE evening ??? why don't you fools just shut up already...

Oh for Christ's sake. If he hadn't met with them, they would be criticizing that. You repugs lost. Now shut up.

This GOP clown wish he could have a beer at the White house , CNN here you go again promoting these RIGHT WING (Losers) they cant get over the fact they lost.The election is OVER, they are the Nation of WHINNERS , they are PATHETIC and so is CNN, the gop is a party of MORONS< like CNN is in toilet, Give us break cnn, this Jan Larimer,who is he? NOTHING,that Party is so STUPIDLY DUMB< am sick of them

I guess she missed the point....this was not a meeting about a beer happy hour. This was about racism which is a major issue in the USA.

This was also an opportunity to bring more public awareness to the issue and also shows Obama is not above talking about the mistake he made.

The Republicans just keep missing the point about what's going on in the country and the world. Hopefully they won't see the WH in the next 100 years.

Let's talk about beer, never mind the raping of the U.S. treasury and unwavering flow of disease ridden illegal aliens across our borders!!

No, really!!! Come on – why is it again that President Obama was forced to make this part if his agenda? The media, GOP, right-wing nuts calling him a racist? And now they slam him for actually addressing this in a sensible, neighbor-to-neighbor manner? Wow, this is pathetic.

Somebody needs a beer.... or a passyfire

These guys are so jealous they just cannot handle it. The republicans have quite become the party of nope–no solutions, no new ideas, just grousing.

Larimer needs to lighten up. Maybe Larimer could stop whining about President Obama and get down to work and get this health care bill passed. Just saying...

The whining just never stops....can't Republicans hear themselves?

I'm sure Larimer was equally concerned when Bush was in Crawford and Kennebunkport for days at a time.

My God, what a worm! Jan Larimer is what this country is not about. He needs to go stick his head in a toilet.

Is this all the Republicans have got? What war? The stupid war they started? Now they are trying to blame it on this president as if he started it. What a croc? This is what your strategy is when you don't have anything to offer the American people. You crtiticize, you try to imput your racism on other people, you say No, you obfuscate, and distort. To some degree it has worked because they know, there are more closet racist in America than the media let on, and also the fact that Americans are an instant gratification nation with very short memory or attention span. They used that same strategy for eight years while they control all aspect of government. Another thing Republicans are also aware of, Democrats are yellow – spined idiots who has no convictions of their own beliefs.

Excuse me: MRS. Larimer

I have never been so disgusted in the actions of our nation's president as I am at this time. To get involved in such a petty thing over beer when there are so many issues of importance in our country is dispicable. We as Americans should not be protraying to the rest of the world that we discuss matters in our white house over beer and that a matter such as this is important enough to even go to the white house. We have soldiers dying, the highest unemployment rate in years, homeless and abused and this is what President Obama finds pressing?

Jan Larimer wouldn't know what our country was about if it was spelled out for her in 3rd grade english. Perhaps the GOP can stop worrying about what the President is doing and start worrying about what 70% of the country thought and still thinks they aren't qualified to do their jobs.

Hi,
This one has me on the fence – which never happens.....should the president be involving himself in this situation...from the start he probably should not have; but once he did.....I have to tell you and its hurts to say it – but the picture of them having a beer is worth a thousand words. Maybe we all need to think about this really hard, before we say something negative and political. Restoration is the true heart of the USA, this was refreshing in the face of many conflicts.
People are going to make mistakes – it does not always have to be racial.....I do not think this was racial, but irregardless they made a choice to work it out.

Doesn't Larimer have some health care people to pander to? Why isn't he working instead of taking time out to criticize the president's attempt to better race relations? Oh, that's right. He's from the GOP(Got only Pale) party...he panders to the homophobes, racists, and narrow-minded. Carry on...

The only reason Larimer is upset is because there's finally a President willing to deal with race relations, somethings the Republicans have buried their collective heads in the sand about. I hope the Republicans keep it up so that we never have another one of them in office again.

This was a huge waste of time there are so many issues facing this country and he drinks beer at the white house because he opened his mouth. He needs to shut up and deal with real issues and not his crappy health care plan that will have everybody paying 50% of their pay checks. We are stuck with him maybe he should do his job.

I believe that how we get along IS of vital importance and that the Republican critics are woefully out of touch.

Our ability to embrace, or at least respect, other points of view and engage in dialog about our difference causes the world to admire us.

Of course the social conservatives have embraced a policy of intolerance, e.g. Colin Powell is not really a Republican and should leave the party because he disagrees with Rush Limbaugh.

While I have become somewhat disillusioned with President Obama, he gets a lot of points from me on this issue and how he handled it.

Not important? Not what our country is about? On Thursday, the President did more for constructively healing race relations in America than people like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have managed in their entire careers.

Let me guess.

Larimer believes Obama was born in Kenya.

Don;t critisize Obama too much. His head is in such a mess that he doesn't even know what he's doing, so, we have to take it easy on the poor fellow or he might blow his mind completely.

They got together in peace to share perceptions. That is the major accomplishment, the correction in the process. It is only the alienated ego that would expect or search for an apology in particular. What counts is that truth was put on the table and alienation was not allowed to persist. Alienation may be the ethics of the derogatory press which likes to tear a culture apart, but the four people at the table were having no part in that. On with the show.

Jan Larimer should also criticize his Republican party for wasting time trying to prove the President is an American born in the United States of America. The FBI did that job when it did a background check on the President. Jan should criticize his party for going into a useless war which has caused billions in tax payer money and which would have prevented this deep recession we are in now. The President does something we are not use to, he actually sit downs with people, talks with them, and comes to an accord. The GOP wants war with the poor, foreigners, and Democrats. Talking and negotiating is not their style.

I would think more people were thinking about the injustice of the situation than on war. Depending on your side of the coin and your point of view, this was a difficult mess that ended well with not many changing their views, but many seeing how to be a man. I laud the president for taking the time to correct his mistake and to get the adversaries meeting. We have too much that divides with too little effort given to binding people together.

I'm fairly certain that a few hours over a beer isn't going to make or break the war in Afghanistan. Republican's ought to focus their energies on salvaging their reputation in the eyes of the American public as opposed to deriding Obama for every thing he does. I think it was an appropriate way to address what was, in fact, a particularly un-presidential comment when he called the officer's actions "stupid."

What does Jan Larimer mean "And its wrong. Its not what our country is about"? Since when are we not about sitting down and having a beer, and talking through our differences. That seems pretty American to me. Maybe Jan could use a beer...or has she never had one?

A war that REPUBLICAN George Bush got us into. Because Obama is so much smarter than them, if he was taking this opportunity to tackle the issue of racial strive in American, while people are listening, and while others talk about beer, I trust him.

Just think of this stetment from Republican's who still trying to tell us The president we elect is not an american citizen and

"We are at war and Barack Obama is talking about beer in the White House," Larimer said at the RNC's Summer Meeting. "And it is wrong. It is not what our country is about."

shame on you RNC .

Larimer, shut up and have a beer.

What a throroughly unpleasant and dishonest creature is Jan Larimer. To attack The President for trying to unify this great nation is so low! Ms Larimer is obviously spinning to gain political traction for the GOP, but actually reveals herself as sanctimonious hypocrite. She could better spend her time trying to clean up the moral and ethical cess pool the GOP has become, with the Enrons, the Haliburtons, Republican Senators making homosexual propositions in mens rooms, and Republican governors using tax payer money to finance their adulterous trysts or pleasure travel. Shame on you Ms Larimer!

Yes, Jan Larimer! You are so right. The US is certainly–at least of late–about making war and avoiding any kind of meaningful dialogue–even about beer.

Why should the President, of all people, be bothered with something as un-war-like as a reconciling of differences on matters of race and perceptions related thereto? How trivial. How banal. How truly unproductive.

So, let's to arms and to the destruction of our foes. Make war, not love.

By gosh, I think I'm finally starting to understand Republicans.

ZNM

Jan who?

I guess she's upset about not being invited.

"About beer"? Has this woman been in an isolation tank for the last week?

Hypocrites. They didn't say a mumbling word when Pres. Bush was golfing while our troops were dying and our economy was tanking. I guess only corporate execs and Republicans can relax after a hard day's work. Get over it!

So President Obama is blasted by Republicans for his comments on rhe Gates/Crowley incident, then slammed again for making a peace-making gesture bringing the two men together. This all-criticism-all-the-time GOP strategy just proves they have nothing but negatives to offer.

OBAMA
Whines about BUSH defit, but then increases it by four fold.

So, he has increased the deficit, increased unemployment, is raising taxes, wants a health care system for illegals, a health care system where my taxes pay for sex (gender) changes, bails out auto companies, wants to increase electricity rates (CAP and TRADE), etc, etc.

Where is the so called CHANGE? Standard Democratic playbook, tax and spend with NO control of spending.

I am tired of hearing there was no racial profiling in this case! A white policeman arrested a prominent black professor, and the white policeman was immediately profiled as a racist.

either way, Obama can't please the republicans, they have an issue with everything, what loser's!!!

I'd like to remind Mr. Larimer of a quote from one of our Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy."

Oh, for God's sakes, can Obama not do anything right in the eyes of any Republican. Are they looking for any little thing? He had a beer with two people involved in a high profile controversy which took, what, all of an hour or two out of his schedule and gave our citizens something light to think about for a change. Larimer doesn't think trying in small ways to repair race relations is what 'this country is about.' What!? And I thought Sarah Palin was a moron. Even she'd be up for grabbing a beer and resolving an issue. And she could do it on the same day that she watched the USS Nimitz deploy.

These Republicans are amazing. GW spent much of his time on vacation in Texas while we were "at war" and was clueless. This President reaches out to bridge a serious divide in this country, and the party of no isnt happy. Do they stand for anything? Do they have any positive suggestions?

OMG can they not just shut up?! They're complaining 'we're in a war' – well, yeah, a war you people agreed to start. SHUT UP

Firstly, our President should not comment on anything without All the facts. Secondly, he should not defend his friends (either black or white) in a public arena; and thirdly, let's get something worthy going with health care and the economy.

In addition , he wants to tax the rock solid citizens that have worked hard, paid their bills, lived conservatively, amassed wealth and are now reaping the rewards of a very comfortable living – some or most of whom are probably seniors.

Mr. President, what are you thinking- or are you??!

And the congressional recess is from August 7 – September 4, during which time we will still be at war, and an additional 1800-1900 US citizens will die because they don't have health insurance.

Everything Obama does will draw heat from the republicans.. This isn't news, it's a sad commentary on the abilities and thinking of our supposedly intelligent politicians.

The GOP is known for bashing everything. Whats new?

Unfortunately, Jan, you don't have the pulse of the regular every day citizens of this country. When two people disagree or get in a fight, it is very common and traditional to have a beer or buy the person a beer. For decades it has served as an intermediary to put an issue to bed and that's exactly what this accomplished for many people including myself.

Just as a reminder: George W spent MANY weeks on vacation while we were at war, after thousands of people were displaced by hurricanes, and were in a national economic crisis. How quick we forget!!

We have been at war for so long that most of us have blocked it out of our minds. It is upsetting and we are hopeless to do anything about it. Bush started it under false pretenses and it doesn't look like Obama will finish it.

It's the Presidents House, he was elected into office and as long as he's doing the job for America, "He can have anyone he wishes over for an afternoon cold one." Who is anyone to even question what the MAN and PRESIDENT does in his own house, or in this case he outdoor table and chairs; four men discussing a situation is nothing short of what Presidents have done before within the White House, what makes this different is he opened his home to assist in easing the tensions – "Lets all give the President credit for his invatation and sincere intentions." Mr. President said himself, "Look this is not a summit, it's four grown men having a cold one after work." That sum's it all up and he could not have made himself clearer !!!!!

Larimer is a nit wit – If he was worried about the war he should have spoken out Years ago when Bush was President. What the devil is a beer? the guy sounds a little loose in the head if you ask ordinary people – Everyone is suppose to stop having beer now that Obama is in the white house and we are at war

The repugs are pathetic...........this comong from the party of whinners and complainers...........the do nothing party..........GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!!!

Oh give me a break! Everyone is allowed a bit of "down time" from everyday issues, even presidents.

Well I guess discussing Race Relations with two people that were involved in this incident doesn't matter either. I applaud President Obama for taking steps to discuss this situation. You people will try to knock down everything he tries to accomplish. White people will never understand what we as Black Americans have to endure everyday we step foot outside our doors at the hands of white people and the their attitudes. Therefore, you don't think this was necessary to talk about it.

where was larimer's comment when bush took all that vacation while in office?

progress AGAINST racial discrimination, of course

Hey, Ms. Larimer–

All you can do is bash an effort at bridging gaps of understanding so that we can have greater levels of peace within our nation. That is exactly what our country's about. What are you about?

It was after what I'm sure was a long, hard work day (happy hour, right?), and it could be important if they were able to make some progress in racial discrimination.

It is the most chaotic presidency I have ever seen! President Bush is beginning to look pretty darn good!

What has become of the GOP. Is this what they want to focus on? Really?

The republicans are so far removed from reality that they are really pathetic.

They may as well dissolve the party now and let's get started forming a new political entity that actually represents the will of the people, not just a bunch of blow-hard toothless rich persons.

Good riddance to the GOP.

Hey GOP, what about all those vacations Bush took? Obama is at work every day, Bush took more days off than any other president. Why the double standard?

Come on, ease up a little. It was just a beer and a suck up moment to try and get back in the good graces of all the pissed off folks in America for having a openly Racist President!!

Larimer is just a Republican. Her prattle is just that.

She'd voice disapproval of the Sermon on the Mount were it given by a Democrat.

Obama is making a good point here. We need to work on our inter racial relationships at times. Good for him, and shame on GOP for saying he was "talking about beer" He was talking about a long standing national problem, race relations.

President Obama can walk and chew at the same. So Jan Larimer we are sorry you are not so fortunate.

hypocrite hypocrite hypocrite Larimer shouldnt be watchign the USS Nimitz deploy she should have been working.

Someone should remind the good co-chairman that the Republicans are the reason that we are "at war" in the first place.. someone is smokin
dogfood.

This is wrong. This gentalman is being rewarded for bad behavior.
(Gates) I bet if it was someone really breaking in his home it would have been different???
Gee I wonder -– whos paying for this "so-called" summit?

The GOP needs to grow up.

Of course "it is wrong" to the GOP. Ever since the civil rights movement, they've been abhorrent to any sort of improvement of race relations.

It just goes to show, some people will have a problem with everything. Obama's only pushed through arguably the most tremendous agenda ever in his first 6 months in office. Clearly he's a slacker. He absolutely should not spend an hour diffusing a media firestorm over racial profiling. And if it's one thing an overescalated sensitivity spasm needs, it's a high pressure solution. We wouldn't want to try to calm things down.

Oh, and just in case any of you are as ignorant as Jan "drivel-box Larimer" obviously is, I'M BEING SARCASTIC.

Hey, around my heighborhood that's the way we've always handled things. Not the secrets, lies, dirty-dealing and back-stabbing of the
self-"Righteous" Right. More lame attempts to take the heat off of the true culpability of Larimer and her comrades. In fact, more dialogue and openness is exactly what is needed. But that isn't written into the capitalist manifesto of the fascists, is it? Accept change or cease to exist.

This wingnut sounds like he went to happy hour and stayed for last call. Can the GOP think we are so gullible as to believe they have all given up drinking because we are at war? Let he who is without a two martini lunch cast the first olive.

The move was strictly PR and a self-serving political move: nothing more. Anyone denying that is either lying or delusional.

First of all I am a republican – second – I think he handled it great.

Real level where real people live, not some "formal announcement" He got them together and the air is cleared.

We need a president who is down to earth and real and Obama is showing that he is that type of leader. Same reason he wore jeans to the ball game and not his suit pants.

My comment to the republican leadership – YOU DON'T GET IT. This is exactly what we need, not a high and mighty out of touch president. Yes we have important things to work on, but if he spent all his time on the big things, you would complain he is not in touch with the people. Stop be partisan – stop looking to create a phantom opening to complain – let him do his job and keep things moving along.

Geez, it was A beer, not a "happy hour". And, judging by the recent (and continuing) racist comments from the conservative right, we need all the race relations help we can get in this country. Yeah, we are at war. Is this fact keeping conservatives from having a drink every now and then? I didn't think so.

Geez...the President can't even go to the bathroom without the GOP making a negative comment. How pathetic.

This lady reaffirms why I am no longer a Republican. What an idiot.

Is the transportation and beer etc.. paid for buy the taxpayer???

Hey, Jan.....seriously I could care less if you earned a title.....
Jan, in President Obama's words: ""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.

Get over it. He's an adult, of legal age, and is trying to bridge a few gaps....you know, get people to peacefully sit down and try to listen to one another.......the grown up thing to do.

I realize you are not used to such a peaceful and mature concept. Your party favors bombs over words, but try to keep an open mind. Things are changing, and for the better, thank you!

no matter what any one say's the great one will do what he wants just like bush and cheney were accussed of. but then the messiah is always doing the right things like destroying the u.s..

This is ridiculous. You know how you change race relations in this country? One person, one beer, one conversation at a time. If Obama is President, what better way then to lead by example? Don't forget, there is more than one battle-one war raging in this country.

Great to see another GOPer thinking that race relations are trivial. The party continues to show their true racism.

This is where Obama's detractors always underestimate him. He does nothing to try and impress old people, he always has his eye on the youth and ways to instill the right values in them going forward.

He set a great example with this gesture.

Sorry, stuffy old people, you're right. He ISN'T your President, he's ours.

Larimar, better realize that our president has made a huge mistake with this deal, he needs to try to make it better. He should have and may have apologize, if so Americans need to know it. I believe that this has hurt , a much deeper wound than we first thought.

huh. weird, that when we we were neck deep in war, Bush was drinking near beer at Crawford and republicans had nothing to say about it.

Some one needs to remind Ms. Larimar that the media made it into a big deal.
What is our country about then? The republicans had the white house for the past 8 years showing the world what this country is about according to a feeble minded cowboy.

I think it was a wonderful gesture and a terrific story. It was a grand and bold move toward some sort of solution & dialogue about the most heated of issues our country faces. Obama is an incredible individual who tries to bring opposite sides together, and he does it in the most intelligent, thoughtful way (just like the man himself). His ideas are fresh while being diplomatic. I do have the utmost respect for police and all law enforcement, but I would have like to have seen Crowley appear a little more relaxed and not so guarded and defensive during the summit.

The president can't sit down and have a beer, repulicans are looking for anything to bash this president about.

There are times when even the President of the United States needs to learn to keep his mouth shut. Although I am a Canadian, I feel he was wrong in calling the police action stupid.

Oh for crying out loud, Rep. Larimer, get a life. I'm not a Democratic voter, but I certainly think you need to grow up. Had President Bush done this, you would've claimed it to be simply wonderful and you know it.

Oh lord.

Do these repulicans think before they open their mouths?

Wow! Talk about being out of touch. It may not have been a politically savvy move on Obama's part last week when he weighed in on this issue, however the debate that has ensued since has been critically important to race relations in this country.

For this congressman to claim that "it is wrong. It is not what our country is about." shows either desperation on the part of a party that just cannot get in step with the many complex social issues in this conunty or complete ignorance of the facts behind the issue.

Wake up lady. There are racial issues in the country that are hundreds of years old. I think it is simply outstanding that a dialogue is finally happening and that is not being swept under the carpet.

.

Shorter Jan Larimer: "Waaaah. We wanted racial polarization to go on for weeks. It's good for enraging our base."

Sounds like Larimer needs to get over himself. I didn't hear him crying when Bush would spend most of his time clearing brush at his ranch.

Republicans offer nothing but criticism.

Hey Ms. Larimer, what is this country about?? And did any of those things happen over the past 8 years??

GOP leave this country racist Republicans it said President Obama is getting critisize for everything he do...I bet if the President j walk in the street he will get critisize......American will think the Republicans are racist politician.

Vote Gop out the office

It was typical Obama. Great photo op, adoring press, zero accomplishment.

Oh, brother. I am so sick of the Republicans not having a clue as to how to help America out of the mess they caused – and instead stooping to constantly attacking President Obama for the most petty thing they can find. The man took a delicate issue and used it to help create better relations between our peoples, and he is being attacked for that? The president needs to focus on more important issues? He's tackling health care reform, the economy, Iraq and Afghanistan, North Korea, Iran, Medicaid/Medicare, Social Security, Energy, the environment, and yes, racism. What is it exactly he is missing? They criticized him for taking on too much, and now he's doing too little. What happened to "lead, follow, or get out of the way?" Perhaps Larimer and the rest of the Repulicans should shut up until they have something intelligent to say.

Is this idiot for real? If I'm not mistaken another GOP twit, Thaddeus McCotter, tried to have a resolution passed to make President Obama apologize to the offer involved in this. How is that not wasting time? Just another example of the idiocy and hypocrisy of the GOP...

This "lady" is a ditz. She loves the microphone. Maybe in this case, silence was golden.

This is so hypocritical for this lame person. The republicans are nothing but beer guzzling morons.

The President can not have a beer???? He needs to be avail. 24 hours a day if need be, but he needs some down time like the rest of us Humans. However, I think he should not have even opened his mouth about the whole issue.

Look at how the economy has finally begun to bounce back, now that the Republicans aren't being allowed to continue running the country into the ground, spending our money promoting W's religious beliefs, wasting precious military lives. We are still at war, having not even finished the war that we should have fought after 9-11, but rather a trumped-up war talked up and promoted by all of the Republicans that benefited Cheney, Bush, and his ilk. As far as I'm concerned, Larimer and most of the GOP needs to go somewhere, sit down, and shut up whining about how Obama isn't working hard enough to undo all of their damage.

The Party of NO is including "NO BEER" to their platform.
I don't what these Republicans are whining about. I thought these good ol' gals and boys could appreciate people sitting around getting smashed on beer.

They're right. Absolutely right. They're all phonies. Real people wouldn't sit down and talk about their problems over a beer. Who are they kidding. They're all phonies.

Real people shoot guns. They shout it out. Guantanamo – now that's the way. We'll shoot it out, and those we capture; we'll keep. No one has to know. Real people don't sit down to talk. Why would they – Real people don't listen. They look the other way, especially when they're pretending to look for Weapons of Mass Destruction. That's what real people do. Real people don't ever drink beer. Real people only drink the idea that they're real, and pretend that's it OK.

It was important to the president to bring these two men together, and i think it was a good move on his part to do so. So bringing to people together who had a disagrement is not what this country is about huh? I think Larimer must not know his history or is just a complete tool.

Jan Larimer is out of touch as so many politicians are. The Presidents gathering was not about beer (as she is quoted) but about teaching people about communication. That if we take a moment and sit and talk, things are going to get better. I am not a fan of this administration, but this show of gratuity was wonderful. Any hype about the “beer” portions of the gathering should be blamed on the media. I would like to criticize Mz Larimer for not paying attention.

Where was this guy the last 8 years when G.W. Bush was in a reading competition with Karl Rove to see who could read more books? Or how about when G.W was on his many vacations, by the way he took more vacations then any other president in history?
Why cant people just chill for a second, I mean did Churchill’s (a conservative) drinking habits hinder his ability to lead?
This truly exposes some republicans intentions, they are not doing ANYTHING for the betterment of the county, rather they are playing politics and trying to gain some much needed political ground………

Jan Larimer is an idiot! Again, another Republican ready to shoot down anything President Obama does. President Obama is well aware that there are more important things to focus on, unfortunately, the media doesn't think that! President has to respond to the media-cry so he can put out this nonsense-of-a-fire! Republicans, get a life! President Obama is the ideal President and he cares about Americans, unlike the Republicans, who are only focused on how they can control America through special interest groups and lobbyists! Go President Obama, America understands why you did this! You are truly "The People's President." You care about all of us!
CRITICAL REPUBLICANS, SHUT UP!!!!

NEWS FLASH ... Obama bashed by GOP leadership for daring to breath.

Ms. Larimer, President Obama has demonstrated that he is capable of doing more than one thing at a time. You must be running out of things to fuel your hissy fits.

That's fine if they want to do some sort of Cash for Junkers or whatever. It's just a few billion. Please follow it up though, with some sort of plan to deal with the flood of repo's and loan defaults coming up about six months or a year down the road. Try to stay on top of this one, please.

Republican National Committee Co-Chairman Jan Larimer 's comment is void of merit. To presume that by not having a beer is a very strange way ofviewing the world. What was President Obama trying to achieve? Well he has taken of his busy day to show that no matter your color, rece or creed, 'civilized' people can sit down and resolve issues. Interesting the comment 'while we are at war' by Jan Larimer! If people that comprise nations spoke more, not necessarily over a beer, many war's may not have become wars. Think back to 'weapons of mass destruction'

Another GOP "leader" criticizes....shocking.

Focus, Ms. Larimer? Really? Many Americans could think of several more important issues for your Party of No focus. How about looking into your own house? Perhaps start with Ensign, Vitter, or Sanford?

If this is the so-called rebuilding of my former GOP, I still want nothing to do with it. Larimer unbelievably stoops to more criticisms when three gentlemen find a brief moment to respectfully address an issue together.

"The president needs to focus on more important issues... we are at war and the president is talking about beer in the White House." He's actually talking about racism, which, beileve it or not republicans, is still a very big problem in these United States of America. Oh, by the way, so glad to the birthers, oops, the republicans are so focused on the good of our country. Yeah, right. I saw a report (sorry CNN – on another station) last night where a reporter was "chasing" republican congressional leaders asking one simple question – Do you believe the President is a US citizen. Not one answered yes, and a few even answered unequivocally NO. All had to go to a meeting and had no time to answer a yes or no question. What's wrong with the people? I just don't get the republicans.

Obama is NOT a President!!!! he has proven that over and over again... If there is any chance of a photo shoot he is going to be present... Quite frankly we are all sick and tired of hearing and seeing him... We would like to see him actually work for a change!!! Let me tell you in our town which is Democrat strong is highly disgusted with him and find him clueless to say the least!!!! Our Country needs a leader and Obama has done nothing but spend, spend, spend... and you can not blame that on the republicans!!!

This is obviously another failed Republican jab at the President. Interestingly, the GOP member who last held the position of President Of The United States, George W. Bush spent a large amount of time on vacation in Texas. Obama, unlike Bush and many of his fellow GOP members, is making efforts to start a national discussion on a topic that has haunted the U.S. for centuries and must be confronted: racism. The Republicans need to try and find another way not to lose the next elections because bashing the President is just not working.

Republicans have to always complain about whatever the president does.
What have you done lately to bring the country together?

The president was not focused on the the meeting or the beer. The media were focused the "beer summit."

How many rounds of golf has the president played since his inauguration, and how much valuable time has it consumed?

I don't think our country is about prefecting the chip shot either, even though George W. Bush's opinion would differ.

oh right. this number is from Wyoming. and she knows what this country is all about! and it's NOT having a relaxing night with a beer. how does this GOPer spend her free time? with lobbyists? criticizing anyone who doesn't look like her?

Larimar thinks that there is no racial division, and I am sure that in whites only country club, that is the case.

This is why there is such poor race relations in this country. If this person can't focus on something eles for 1 hour then they need some medication. If more politicians were leaders the US would be in a much better place.

Does the GOP whine about everything? They whine about the issue. They whine about Obama resolving the issue.

Jan Larimer apparently failed to realize that the conversation was not about beer but about reconciling differences through conversation. I imagine as our country becomes more about reconciliation through conversation we will spend less time at war.

I don't remember hearing much criticism of Dubya's constant vacation time from the Republicans when he was in office. We were at war then too. I guess it is okay to take a break from a war if you are the one who started it.

[...] [...]

If we're at war and need to be focusing on the big issues, then why is she bashing the President rather than focusing on the big issues?

I believe the President is fully capable of tackling more than one issue at a time. This was an important thing to tackle. I appreciate him being a diplomat at home and abroad. This attack is totally ridiculous and beyond opportunistic.

No matter what this guy does, there is some politician out there who has to find something negative. The purpose of the "Beer Summit" was to bring the two parties (and the nation) together for a constructive dialog regarding race in this country. Poor republicans: The party of hate and fear. This is why I changed my registration to independent. This woman should have a bumper sticker that reads: "Republicans for Voldemort!!"!!

Hmmm!! It's interesting, through the campaign, then Sen. Obama was extremely careful not to show his true feelings about his African-American roots. And then he put his foot in it. And NOW we're finding out his image is more important than a war and for that matter-health care. With is own popularity numbers dropping, he felt that this TEACHING moment was a necessity. The irony in all this is now President Obama just got taught a very valuable lesson; stay away from a extremely senstive topic such as racism when you're distracted by something else at a news conference. Oh well!!! Could President Clinton's comments during the primary come back to haunt Mr. Obama? Stay tuned.

How many days of vacation had the previous president accumulated at this point? The Gates issue was a big deal from racial profiling to the president's critique of the police. Why is Mr. Obama not allowed an hour to calm racial tensions, listen to a professors and an accomplished police office?

Drop the story – it's old. Move on. I think every one else has at this point. What people have wanted to say they have said.

Three men can't take time out at the end of the day to enjoy a beer. How long did they meet? Less than an hour? The RNC complain about everything. "This isn't what this country is about"? How many people here in the USA (men and woman) enjoy a beer, glass of wine, a shot of tequila at the end of the day? This is EXACTLY what our country is about...the RNC needs to wake up and get more in touch with the country.

i love when the republicans scream about stuff like this. it makes them
look like absolute whining idiots. this country has been at war for 200
years over race and it still simmers everyday. the foreign wars while important do not need to be the sole purpose of each waking hour of the president. we have brilliant military staff that are handling that. obama
did the right thing and will continue by reaching out to all americans
and remind us of what a civil society is. they too easily forget when cheney is out hunting and shooting someone in the face while we are
at war, or bush choking on a pretzel with beer while we are at war....

ludicrous drivel being pumped by the republicans.

wow the one and only thing Obama could do to please the republican narcissists would be, besides stepping down as Prez, he'd need to change his ethnicity, because clearly, as diplomatic and well informed and contemplative as this guy is, which is only good for a Prez to be (recall Bush, not thinking first, and then the look of 'oh my god what have i done'), his main fault is that he's president of a country FULL of racist republicans. seems these republicans are the ones who need to find something to fill their empty time slots and empty heads.

Is everyone insane? These Republicans jump all over President Obama for being "too serioius, doing too much" (as if there weren't MANY major problems for him and his team to fix!), and then carp at him for having a light moment that also helps with race relations. They won't approve of anything he does, no matter what. And shame on CNN for constantly printing this type of drivel.

ONLY IN THE USA!!!
Why is it that the PROFESSOR can't thank the SPOTTER, CALLER and RESPONDER for trying to PROTECT HIS PROPERTY?
Utterly amazed!!! Big Fuss over a mole hill!!! And, this PRESIDENTIAL LIMELIGHT???

I think the RNC needs to have a beer and chill out. I applaud Obama's savvy political move, and I vote republican. Obama used the casual setting to disarm two parties in a dispute that has captured national attention with undertones of modern race relations. Cheers, Mr. President.

Jan... chill out! Have a beer!

Larimer said at the RNC's Summer Meeting. "And it is wrong. It is not what our country is about."

Just an FYI: A republican, is the LAST person on EARTH, let alone america, that would know what this country is about. I'll tell you what it's not about...it's not about ANYTHING the republicans want it to be. We don't believe in MASS GENOCIDE, Torture, killing the poor or keeping the poor down. So STFU Larimer! When you find somethign to do...BESIDES complaining about something, then maybe you'll be worth the toilet paper I use. Until then you are worth less then the residue I leave on it. What a bunch of worthless lifes you are. Always complaining but not working to fix a darn thing you are complaining about. SICK!

Really...how can Obama have a beer when he should be cleaning up the mess the last GOP president put the country into. How dare he? Is this all they GOP have to whine about?

Whine and complain, whine and complain.

And the GOP wonders why their message doesn't resonate with the overwhelming majority of Americans. You're nothing but crybabies with your infantile complaining and no plans, no solutions and no strategies; only criticism.

Grow up GOP!

This fool should talk...when their hero Bush was in office he spent weeks down in his faux ranch, pretending he actually does work. He was rarely around, rarely working on government affairs. He spent his days riding his bike and trying to think up photo ops to fool the rest of us.....Nobody from the Grand Obstructionist Party complained them. I think most would agree that Obama works extremely hard on solving so many issues, most of which were left for him by Bush/Cheney. It seems again these morons who follow Limberger and O'Really religiously are always voting and speaking against their own self-interest. Just read the comments on the Health care issue. People would rather be mad at Pelosi and Obama then improve the system. It's hard to understand. Just bitterness over losing to a woman and black man, I guess.

I'm sure President Obama is quite mindful of what he has on his plate. However, because of the leader that he is, he should have taken this opportunity to work on the wars that are within this country. Whether we like it or not, the race issue is still an issue to a degree. it's steps like these that will help to overcome it. Although, it will probably take another generation to get beyond it.

Good grief!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get a life!!!!!!

Did you complain when Pres Bush went to Texas all the time? Wasn't he out of Washington for about a third of his entire presidency cutting brush at his ranch in Crawford???

And you think the nation needed a president on the job so badly he couldn't take an hour or so off to address the actions taken in Cambridge???

You guys are really becoming the joke of the day, day after day. It's either an hour for a beer, the birthers, the posh rental for a ONE WEEK vacation with his family, etc, etc. So pathetic-–

Give me a break.

This was a brilliant move by Obama as he clearly smoothed over a difficult situation. It gave Gates and Crowley time to consider their actions, and you can bet they reconciled.

Obama saw this as a teaching moment, and the entire country can benefit from it. The lesson is that when we're in a situation in which our emotions may be getting the better of us, it's better to take a deep breath, calm down, and talk things over before doing something rash.

This episode is a reminder that, though this country has come far in race relations, the bitter legacy of the past still lingers. It's good to keep that in mind. It's not reasonable for us to expect that pain to just evaporate. But if we just treat each other as human beings, treat each other the way we would want to be treated, then we can grow beyond the past.

It is amazing to watch the behavior of the politicans that the "american people" have elected to office. How can we as nation allow this behavior? The situation that America finds itself in, is the direct result of republican and democratic neglect!!!! No adminstration could fix this in six months. This is an absurd idea!!! Why do we allow this!1

politics over beer its not what our country is about?? our national anthem used to be a drinking song. nevermind that obama was trying to mend the fence between 2 parties of a high-profile social blunder..

i think larimer needs to stop nit-picking obama's attempt to be "one of the people" and focus on the war, since thats what she's so concerned about

The President is entitled to a beer at the end of the day without it being made a political issue. President Obama was addressing a situation in an informal setting and there is nothing wrong with it. The issue of what beer was being served was a media event.

I don't understand people who say the President should not drink beer when a carrier is being launched, the economy is bad, we have troops in Afghanistan, etc. Would all these problems immediately cease if the President didn't drink a beer?

When will we as a Nation become real and stop trying to make issues out of everything? Can't we work together to make the US great?

I truly feel sorry for the GOP, they are running out of thing to complains

Is there anything that could make GOP happy? Everything the President does or does not is criticized. Yeah! it is wrong; it is not what our country is about. our country is about profiting from wars and sending our troops to find WMDs even if they don't exist. That makes GOP happy and that's what the party is all about.

We really love being at war!

Is Larimer going to hold his fellow Republicans to the same standard? I assume Sen. Ensign was focused on the country's problem while he was sleeping around. It was one hour!

Obama had a happy hour, Bush had a happy eight years.

Amazing! While the GOP powers-to-be are criticizing the President for having a beer and defusing a bad situation by bringing the dissenting parties together, something that his predecessor never did, they are wasting an incredible amount of time by trying to prove that Obama isn't a citizen, and trying to debunk every last plan that the President proposes, without having a single idea of their own!

No president took more time off (and expensive as well) as GW. How is resolving a potentially volitile social situation losing focus? RNC is grasping at straws.

Are we to assume then, that Representative Larimer is not engaging in any relaxing, fun activities until all our solders are home from Iraq and Afghanistan? That she is issue focused and takes NO time for any nonsense, like having dinner with friends or the like??

What a cheap political ploy, calculated to capitalize on the public's soundbite-based method of information gathering. Of course the meeting at the White House was not about beer, rather it addressed race and was designed to defuse a real, impassioned event. Leave it to the Republicans, with their cynical view of the collective intelligence of the American public, to try such an adolescent attempt to damage the president.

Oh please! It was a great gesture of reconcilliation and it really ticks me off that these right winger types who "profess" to love the Lord are totally oblivious to the Beatitudes..."Blessed are the peace makers". God loves reconcilliation. That's why He sent Jesus .If what happened yesterday can have any positive affect on a police department which is often insensitive and brutal to the citizenry its "PAID" to "protect and to serve", then it was worth it. Some of you have been watching waaaayyy too much COPS...Trust me, they don't show you when they screw up!!!

Sounds like Larimer should chill out and have a brew herself:) Republicans....get a life!

One hour out of his day and the world will fall apart? Give me a break. Some people are just looking to criticize ANYTHING the President does.

If Bush had been throwing a BBQ in the Rose Garden for a similar purpose, this guy would have been lavishing praise on the entire event.

So partisan. So political. So tired.

Republicans, please get with the program. Your future really does depend on it.

The poor Republicans; I almost feel sorry for them.

I'm a conservative who thinks Obama's initial comments about the Cambridge incident were ignorant. But I admire the way Obama admitted he misspoke and I think inviting Gates and Crowley for a beer was a great idea. The idea that the president doesn't have an hour to have a beer with these two guys is dumb. He can't (and shouldn't) focus on healthcare or whatever 24 hours a day.

Now the president can't even have beer lighten up !

Bush took how many vaccations to Texas, and this guy didn't say a word?

A couple hours talking to people over beer isn't really a waste.

She's just jealous she wasn't invited. If the media hadn't hyped this situation into a frenzy, the "happy hour" wouldn't have been needed. And, I think, it was scheduled in the evening AFTER working hours. The President can't even take a pee because "we're at war and the economy is already in the toilet." Well, that's thanks to #43. My President, #44, has been working since January 20th to fix this country. Repugs like Larimer need to start doing the same. What's her solution to terrorism, the economy, and health care refrom? What's that I hear? Crickets chirping? Dumb a$$.

It is about time Obama starts acting presidential. His actions towards this issue and total disrespect of policeofficers shows his own brand of racisim. He may have distanced himself from Wright but actions speak louder than words! I have no faith in this man as a leader....every day he proves his lack of experience. Yes, he belongs in Chicago.

This was just another photo-op for King Obama. That's the only thing I have seen so far that he's good at.

This is EXACTLY what America is about: it's work ethic, courage, diplomacy and righting a wrong. We just don't use those skills anymore. They've been lost in hand-wringing, criticism, skepticism and greed. While I think President Obama should have extricated himself immediately after making such a knee-jerk response to the arrest and the 'beer summit' looks like grandstanding, he still made an effort to bring factions together.

I think it's great that Obama can be real and have a beer with folks like a normal guy. It is that difference that is what we are about. We are not about war as the commentator said, we just happen to be in one right now.

"We are at war and Barack Obama is talking about beer in the White House," This is the same political party, the Republicans, that watched George Bush play golf during the height of the Iraq War. At least Obama was working on healing race relations and not his putting! This is the height of hypocrisy.

I don't like how they kept stressing that they were meeting over "beer". It gave the impression to a lot of young, impressionable people that it's good to resolve problems with alcohol.

Maybe the GOP should realize that race relations is one of the most important issues today and for the last 230 years in our nation.

And yet, Larimer is more than happy to talk about whackadoodle conspiracy theories regarding Obama's place of birth......gee, that's such a productive use of time!

What else is new with the GOP... I would like to see or hear something from them that is Positive and New!

They are absolutely negative – about everything – period.

The Republicans are such idiots! They will do, and say anything to Anything to get their names in the press!
I suggest to the Republicans that they actually start doing their jobs in the Congress to get things done, instead of being haters, and obstrucrtionists, and spending their time with lobbyists, and filling their pockets with money from lobbyists like the Health Care insurance companies who have been buying of Republicans for decades.

Bush was playing golf and taking vacations during the war Jan!

Jan Larimer – You are an idiot and a joke. Your attempt to introduce partisan politics into this is transparent and ridiculous. Attempting to address racial issues in a peaceful and productive manner isn't what our country is about? You imply that the president is not addressing more important issues. Your head is obviously either in the sand or in another place which I will not mention. Do you watch the news? You are just adding to the public's negative perceptions of the GOP.

She must have been upset that 45 minutes was used to work out an issue she wasn't invited to. It need to take place....
Why to rethugs hate discorse

Our independence from England were concieve in a beer hall. Have a Bud. and come up with a way to get this economy moving again instead of using run on sentence.

Larimer and the far right have a serious case of Obama Derangement Syndrome. It was officer Crowley who suggested that he, Gates and President Obama have a beer at the White House. The President obliged and they had a good discussion. The far right crazies would have criticized the President if he didn't have Crowley over to the White House. And by the way Larimer, where was your outrage when President Bush was eating cake in Arizona with John McCain during Hurricane Katrina? The hypocrisy from the far right is amazing.

Huh...I didn't realize the President wasn't allowed to have personal time. Not to mention it probably made him look like more of a real person by discussing things face to face.

Hey Larimer, where are your ideas? Where is your plan? What are YOU doing talking about beer, What do you have to say besides no?........waiting

GOP-
No plan
No ideas
No future

If the replublicans would focus more on trying to help get this country back on track since the previous administration rather than bashing the President on everything he tries to get accomplished, maybe the American people could get back to being the proud Americans we have always been. They are just like a pack of dogs sitting in a pack just waiting for something to go by for them to jump and bark at. They are only heard when there is a negative remark to make. Hey! Repubs, how about trying to contribute to the Country you claim to be so proud of instead of continuing to tear it down?

Hi Ms. Larimer:

What else Mr. Obama can do for the nation but just cheer people up and make them love him? He has been doing so from the day he graduated and got good life by doing so. We, American chose to elect a President who can talk sweet and not doing anything so that people can feel as all the matters are gone. Mr. Obama wants to hide all difficult things under the rugs so that our children will take care of those in the future.

I really don't see why this is wrong. The President was trying to defuse what could have been a violent point of contention by showing that two people who appear to be on opposing sides can sit down and have a civilized conversation about their differences. Maybe this lesson was taught more often, we wouldn't be at war.

Or maybe the republicans are just bitter that while Bush gave off the appearance of "being a guy you could grab a beer with", Obama, as always, is putting his money where his mouth is.

Larimer needs to loosen up. Of course, racial tensions have never bothered her. She's all for the rich and preferrabley white in color.

So, boys and girls, the "Teachable Lesson" we've learned....

... is that when you elect a Community Organizer – expect he will be muddled-down by the affairs of his bigoted friends.

America needs a LEADER who understands that America is a great nation because of the opportunities of entrepenuership and freedom FROM a heavy handed government.

Obama FAILS to understand this critical point... and thinks American will only be a great nation when the FEDERAL GOVERNMENT becomes great (in size).

Oh please, I think this shows excellent leadership on Obama's part. This is not about beer in the White House, which I'm sure President Bush had plenty of, despite his profession that he quit. This is about Obama stepping in on one the more important issues of his Presidency, race. When has our country not been at war? If we are to overcome our current crisis, we must be a united front, that means justice and equality for all, not just upper class whites.

She failed in every aspect of her statement.
First of all, your attacks on anything the president does besides do his job is a waste of time, and slacking of duties. I suppose that the president sleep time is completely unjustified as well. You GOPers are getting more and more desperate as the last of the momentum in the GOP party dries up.
Second of all, "It is not what our country is about," is a terribly false statement. In fact, our country is about coming together and enjoying a moment, or in this case a beer, with different kinds of people.
It shows how much more in touch with the America people Obama is than this "GOP leader," Jan.

As I was saying before on MIXX that the President has lost his focus on what he promised the American people. So what if a professor did not use common sense and show ID. I would have arrested the individual regardless of what he or she were. The cop did what he was suppose to do. Now Obama do what you promised and get off this garage about race.

Umm, first of all it was the brewery businesses talking about beer! Secondly, how dare anyone speak as though THIS is not an important issue or subject! It is in part and fact, the reason we are faced with global racism and terrorism that is fueled by the color of one's skin and differential treatment based on that color! Can they come anymore rude and clueless than this RNC Co-Chairman?

Wow. She must be cut from the same mold as Steele.

Who got us into war? The 43rd president, who vacationed more than any other president. Where were you, Ms. Larimer, from 2001-2008?

Race relations is an important issue in this country.

Obama's been darn busy cleaning up after your party. Either offer solutions or get out of the way.

The next time a race issue arises, there will be a choice TWO solutions:
1. Brush it off as "STUPID"
or
2. Have a BEER Summit at the White House.

This is the New Era of standards laid down by the first Black President.

This girl is clearly a moron. If the media wouldn't have made such a calamity of "Gates"-gate, then the "Beer Summit" would surely have never happened. And what was it, a one-hour meeting? I'm sure Mr. Larimer has taken quite a few one-hour breaks from his job since he was elected. Six months into his presidency, it's unfortunate that the Republicans, instead of doing their jobs and working with him, spend their time and resources putting his life under a microscope and bashing him at every possible turn. It makes one really wonder, is our political system broken beyond repair?

Just like the RNC. They hate it when the President focuses on people and people issues. It drives republicans nuts when his focus isn't pulled to their big business and wall street interests.

Jan Larimer is a complete idiot.....typical Republican.

Is there anything that Republicans don't criticize? The GOP has become a party of complete whiners.

This coming from a party that had their President (G.W. Bush) on holidays for two thirds of his term. It is just so obvious that you right wingers are extremely jealous – do you guys just having pre-written talking points to anything President Obama does or says. REALLY.

Hey GOPs Party of No. We are getting use to your negative comment about anything that the presents does. Most of the time GOPs Party of No" you never have any anserwers of solution to help address or solve the many problems that is facing so many Americans today. Yet you have the galls to take about a beer summit.. We are still waiting to hear some solutions provided by the GOP Party of No intead of constant complaints, critiqueues, anc comments. I am an independent and can not understand just why most of you career politicians are even there in Washinton pretending that you really care about the average person when really you only care about the big companines and lobbyist that are buying you off to do the wrong thing rather than doing what is right for the people who have elected you.

This guy is clearly a moron. If the media wouldn't have made such a calamity of "Gates"-gate, then the "Beer Summit" would surely have never happened. And what was it, a one-hour meeting? I'm sure Mr. Larimer has taken quite a few one-hour breaks from his job since he was elected. Six months into his presidency, it's unfortunate that the Republicans, instead of doing their jobs and working with him, spend their time and resources putting his life under a microscope and bashing him at every possible turn. It makes one really wonder, is our political system broken beyond repair?

The Republicans are starting to sound like the adults in Charlie Brown.... "blah blah blah and blah"

Oh please!!!!! Why don't you JAN LARIMER think about what the President's purpose was for doing what he did. If you thought about it for more than ONE SECOND, Then you would have known it was the right thing to do. THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK NEXT TIME.............

I think the media is to blame for playing up that meeting. It was no big deal, but it was carried as a super big happening. I am sure Obama did accomplish other things that day, so let that beer meeting die. Who cares what brand of beer they drank.

If the president was a Republican, the story would read, "Jan Larimer praises the president for putting and hour into his schedule to meet the professor and police officer." What a joke. I'd like to get a full schedule of Larimer's month and see how many "non-important" things that he has on it.

It all could have been avoided if the mainstream media had not blow the whole thing up! This was all media driven!

Get off of his back already, President Obama is smart and tough enough to say what he said and to handle it the way that he did. By talking about it I think the President let some of the pressure off of the issue. We need President Obama to keep being creative with his approach to how he is handling every issue he has to deal with. The stock market is moving again,a little ,and now is the time to keep focusing on sustainable jobs and health care reform. God bless President Obama and the U.S.A.

Obama phot OP, Just a thing to make both blacks look good as a game. The President and Gates, BOTH BLACKS, both raised the RACE CARD and thew only white was the police officer, ALWAYS THE BALCKS PLAYING THE RACE CARD, so lets call it a learning lesson and lets have a beer until anothe balck plays the race card.

I'm white and soon I will play the race card in reverse, be prepared.

I never heard from this politician in the past 8 yrs while the GOP lied us onto War...this is ridiculous. The GOP uses any excuse imaginable to bash obama, even as the economy is healing under Obama and our countries respect in the world is on the rise... The Party of No pls jus Go Away

Can we please let this story go. Wow, the rethugs are scraping the bottom of the barrel to find anything to defame our president.

They're just jealous because absolutely nobody wants to have a beer with these jerks!!! They have no idea what the words "compromise", "listen", "diplomacy" mean, they only understand the word NO and yes to anything nasty or that bush/cheney say! Useless hypocrites all!!

This is why no one wants to hear from the GOP. They are sorry losers, and never say anything that comes close to postive. This was a media created monster and President Obama was just trying to calm things. I don't think a few hours drinking a beer was a waste of his time or ours.

All you GOP's would benefit from a beer every once in a while...it might make you more tolerable.

And how does she account for all of the vacations to the ranch that G. W. took while we were at war.....?

Obama has done more positive things in his 6 months in office than Bush did in his last term in office. And, unlike Bush would have, who wouldn't even give enough time to go to speak at the NAACP until he was pressured to do so, he recognized a potential ignition point for racial strife and defused it with a small gesture. Bush was on vacation at Crawford or Camp David about 20% of the time he was in office. And all this Republican can do is complain? Oh yeah. I forgot. That's what Republicans do best.

Saying that this country is not about beer—well, that's like Larimer admitting he's never been to a baseball game, concert, live theater event, or almost any public outing of any kind in America. Go out and live a little, junior, before you start mouthing off about the U.S.A.!

I disagree. I believe race relations are a very important part of this administration. I also believe that instead of it getting drawn out (possibly in court wasting tons of taxpayers money if Gates or Crawley decided to sue for whatever reason) it's been nipped in the bud. And President Obama has shown the country and the world how to get two people together to solve their differences in an adult manner, instead of talking ill of each of each other to the media and making the situation worse.

So, racial understanding and reconciliation aren't important? Once again, the GOP shows how severely out of touch it is.

Again the republican leadership shows just how clueless they are. This is what we would like to see happen. People getting together to talk and maybe reach an understanding of each other.

That's a pretty cheap move by Ms. Larimer. Say what you will about all this silliness, Pres. Obama only held the meeting in an attempt to silence the controversy and get the media's attention back on important matters.

Hello, he was not talking about beer. He was discussing what happened between the two men, and his unfortunate remarks OVER a beer. If this is the logic you apply to all your politics and policies, then it's no wonder your party has no clue about what to do. The WAR was started by YOUR president, who spent one third of his time on vacation instead of focusing on the war. So please do us a favor and SHUT UP.

I fthis moron was paying attention, she would realize that the meeting at the white house did not involve the President "talking about beer". What an idiot!

This from a representative of Wyoming where the distance between points travelled is measured by the number of six-packs it takes to get there. Keep searching – you might eventually find something that actually sparks real interest in your party's platform.

While I do agree that the media attention to the beer they drank was fairly ridiculous, someone in Larimer's position complaining about Obama drinking a beer is even more ludicrous. Especially given the weeks that old Dubya spent clearing brush from behind his house instead of focusing on any number of issues. A week clearing some tumbleweed versus an hour with a Bud.... hmm.... which one is worse?

Keep hitting on the issues that no one cares about, guys. That'll really help you out in 2010 and 2012.

Seems like Obama has been on top of many issues since taking over the White house. Now he's begrudged for having a sit-down beer.

She's complaining about the President taking time out for a beer while we are at war.

What about the summer vacation Congress is taking? It's the month of August plus some of September?

What about President Bush taking vacation during war? I think he spent 40 percent of his term on vacation while our men and women were being slaughtered.

President Obama has been in office for over 6 months and he's not taken one vacation.

CRIPES...

He's moving too fast...
He's got too much on his plate...
He should slow down on health care and not go off on foreign jaunts so often...

And now it's, "he needs to focus and spend more time on important issues."

Larimer, you are a shill for the GOP...admit it, nothing this president does is going to make you happy...

The party of NO!!!

No. He should do what our last President did during war (and during every other crisis we ever had). He should go on vacation. What a phony she is. If it wasn't for her parties President, she wouldn't have to be watching the USS Nimitz deploy.

give me a break! these republicans are the most sour, pesimistic group of grumpy old white men i have ever seen. the president was cool and showed class in what he did. america [with the exception of the bible thumping repubs] are enjoying life, an human spirit in the white house and i must say it is soooo refreshing! all you ding bats need to get a life and start enjoying your time on earth an not worry so much about the sins of others. maybe it wouldn't hurt a few of these old cronies to take a nip every now and then to loosen up abit.i love and respect our president ...barack obama!!

Oh, lighten up, you self-righteous dweeb!

(And, no, I'm not a Democrat, I didn't vote for Obama, and I think his domestic policies are just a little shy of lethal to the country. But the guy is still entitled to a beer.)

(An I despise Republicans too...)

And we were also at War-the Bush/Cheney War-and what did those liars do-they kept on spinning their fear and sending our men and women into an undeclared war.
Barack Obama was doing what he does best-taking a moment and learning from it-have all of us learn. Racial issues continue to divide us. President Obama is uniquely qualified to shed light on this issue that has remained forever present but in the dark and not addressed.
Get over it all you negative spinners. We the People have elected a smart-educated-hip-bridge-building President who-by the way- happens to be African American. What a joy after 8 yeas of disgust!

YAAAAAAWWWWWN.

Since Jan 20 we've seen one of these knee-jerk criticisms on pretty much a daily basis.

Keep crying wolf, I'll keep ignoring you.

Maybe if her and the party of no would focus on the good of the American people rather than politics and financial big donors, we could all get along, but then again that means they would have to do the right thing, No-No-No-.

Get a LIFE Larimer!!!

There is no pleasing these people! (republicans)First they complain that the President should not have commented on the issue,as if he asked the reporter to ask him that question.Then they complain about the way he answered,then after they and the media blew it way out of proportion he tries to have a simple sit-down with the two men and again they complain. I've come to the conclusion that they are just complainers and will have a problem with what ever he does ,simply because they want to see him fail!!!!!!!!!

You have got to be kidding me! This is a new low, even for the Republicans. They have just become laughable!

The GOP just can't stand the fact that Obama is a normal guy who deals with people on a human level.. they just don't get it, and never will.

Larimer obviously needs a vacation. This is summer after all. How many months did former President Bush take off during times of crisis? Did the war in Iraq prevent him from taking a break from the grueling work in the WH? As for the media coverage,well the current "news" anchors are not Walter Cronkite.

Miss Larimer is pathetic. The next thing you know she'll be condemning Obama for eating, actually eating! while the nation's work waits to be done. Or sleeping. Or going to the bathroom! "How dare you, President Obama! How dare you so much as think about saying goodnight to your daughters. Don't you know you should be spending 24 hours a day cleaning up the mess that I and the rest of the Republicans made?!"

Suck it GOP your boy Bush did crap worse than this. Obama is a man of the people, not like Bush a man of the sheeple.

The so-called "summit" wasn't about beer – it was about RACE RELATIONS – which shows yet again that most Republicans have a tin ear when that subject comes up.

On that line: how many GOP lawmakers have had the guts to condemn the so-called "birthers" movement (denying Obama's US citizenship) for the paranoid fantasy that it is?

Is there anything the neocons don't whine about????

The GOP is criticizing Obama for not getting to the issues at hand? Especially after an 8-year presidency of doing nothing for these issues?

GOP: "Hey Obama, quit having fun and clean up our mess"

Please when did we get so stuck in the mud....I want to see someone I can relate to on the big and small issues. And frankly race is a large issue in this country....so madam co-chair help fix that while you are out there trying to fix other countries....

Yes GOP, make sure you secure (end) the happines, for everybody. Only you and your buddies are allowed to go down to Argentina, among other things, for fun..

We have not heard the magic words of "I'm sorry" from any of these guys and the Good Samaritan citizen who reported a possible burglary gets no credit for her good citizenship. Wassup widdat?

OMG...give me a break. The GOP has nothing to do but cry in their beer these days....

Maybe he should just go mountain biking then, or take more vacations than any other president in history.

Oh yeah, that was Bush.

Good God, aren't relations between whites, blacks and every other ethnic group important also? Can the Republicans EVER grow up and just acknowledge that Obama is just trying to make things better?

This is why more and more Republicans are becoming moderates. Lighten up Jan! America loves its beer!

The beer summit is just another example of how out of touch this guy is with America. People are going broke and he is sitting for a photo up drinking beer! What a joke this man is. He is not my president. He does not represent me or my values and the beer summit is just another distraction from what he is really trying to achieve. His ultimate goal is total government domination over this country. I wish all the dopes who voted for him because of the color of his skin and the college kids who voted for this man because they thought he was cool without even knowing what he stood for had done some research before voting him into office. The liberals are going to turn this country to a socialist republic. Beware of Obama, he is a dangerous man

Larimer is one stupid individual.
Obama was basically laughing at what the press made this to be.
Someone please just kick her off the stage.

Just like Bush spending 3 of his 8 years on vacation during wars. Where was the outrage then? What a bunch of hypocrites. Republicans are pathetic losers.

Gimme a break! It's really missing the point to characterize yesterday's conversation as a "happy hour" instead of being honest about the opportunity it offered, not only the participants, but the nation as a whole. Here's a president willing to have a "conversation" about a topic that many find uncomfortable, in an attempt to bring people together.

Did Ms. Larimer remind President Bush about what was important, during his eight years of endless vacations, his bike-riding, his brush-clearing? Funny how some people are now so critical about what the president says and does. At least, President Obama treats us like adults and tries to talk to us. Like health care - he's actually explaining what he's trying to do, as opposed to the Republicans fabricating horror stories about how he will put senior citizens to death! Honest communication - that's what the country should be about, Ms. Larimer!

Lady, loosen up and have a beer. It's people like you who foist unreasonable standards on others while your off somewhere enjoying the benefits of your position. I suppose your against health care for the masses and at the same time want to INCREASE the health benefits members of congress now enjoy!

"We are at war and Barack Obama is talking about beer in the White House," Larimer said at the RNC's Summer Meeting. "And it is wrong. It is not what our country is about."
when has discussing important social problems stopped being what our country is all about? yet another GOP chickenhawk clamoring for a constant state of never ending war. god forbid americans focus on the internal problems once in a blue moon.

If this woman had half a brain, she would know that this is what our country IS all about....talking, listening, understanding each other. She and others of her ILK only know how to say NO NO NO. They are not for progress, they are not for reform, they are for offering more of the same old Republician policies that have gotten us into the mess we are in in the first place.

With all due respect, I think that the GOP is grasping at anything it can to criticize the president. The so-called Beer Summit was an excellant example of leadership on the part of Mr Obama. He aired some important issues and showed the world that most problems can be talked out with a little effort. We can all learn from him.

Larimer musta forgot about Bush lying us into this war, then spending
the MOST VACATION TIME EVER of any U.S. President in History.
Wish I could take 6 months a year off. must be nice, GW !!

Pettiness is so stereotypical of repubs.
Never an answer Always a critisism.
so typical

Obama took a potentially divisive situation and made a relaxed event out of it, showing everyone that communication is possible. This was one of his best moments.

No, he's right, our country is about war and destruction. Our country should not be about three guys sitting down to put aside their traditionally hatred-fueled differences.

Now... isn't that 'special'?

what about all the days Bush took off on vacation while we were at war? republicans are freaking morons!

Obama could crap gold and the republicans would still complain.

You people still don't get why you lost, do you?

Hey Larimer–no one cares what you think!