Was it appropriate for Obama to comment on the Gates arrest?

No sir, 0bama did not have the facts he sounded way too much like Al Sharpton and not enough like a man who occupies the oval office

As pointed out by another commenter, the press asked Obama what he thought about Gates' arrest. Obama SHOULD have said that he did not have enough facts to make an informed response. He might even have started the comment by saying he was concerned/bothered/upset about Gates' arrest but that he did not know enough to respond. End of story.

all u guys who say tht the police officer acted stupidly, u don't know the whole story, Gates refused to show his ID, then started saying those things, the police officer did the right thing, and Obama should have kept his mouth shut on the matter

All that the police knew was that someone had broken into a house. It seems that if Gates had promptly identified himself as the owner of the house, there would be no story. It's not illegal to break into your own house. As for the President's comments. There's noting wrong with saying no comment if you don't know all the facts. As one of our past presidents said, 'nothing I never said ever did me any harm.'

Obama gave a response that was appropriate for the occassion, because there has not been a strong presidential response discussing race relations as it currently stands. What happened to Gates was a regrettable mistake, but more importantly it was an assault against his race. Gates belongs to an older generation and he has seen racism at its peak, so his response isn't all that unexpected. When you've been through racism from white people, wouldn't your first reaction be the same? That was what set off the sirens in Gates' head

It wasn't appropriate. He should have stopped with those words "I don't know all the facts." Instead, he sounded like al sharpton or jesse jackson going off about unfair. Bottom line is, if Gates would have kept his mouth shut and let the officers who were trying to protect his home do their job, everything would have been fine. Obama acted "stupidly" by creating more drama

He was simply answering a question from a reporter.

I think what we have here is a classic clash of cultural understanding. White people and black people are bound to see this situation from different perspectives. If you are white, you are willing to assume police are doing the right thing and are on your side. If you are black, that has not been your experience in life.

Since none of us, including Obama, were there in the house, we have no way to know whose story is accurate (police or Gates) or if "the truth" lies somewhere in the middle, as it often does.

But I think it's fair to say the police acted stupidly simply based on the fact that a distinguished professor and homeowner ended up getting arrested. Policemen need to have skills in calming down situations and getting to the facts without becoming overly defensive and outraged, even if they think they are right. And if you think this would've gone down the same way if the professor had been white, you and I need to talk.

Freedom of religion. Do you anticipate the information and Obama to cover each and each non secular construction it is geared up contained in the rustic? only basic minded people attempt to make this mosque into something that's not. Donna

Yes. If fact, all honorable Americans need to weigh in on this issue. I was not there either. But, I find it unlikely that any officer would have arrested, handcuffed, and transported a white man in a similar situation.

All racists are unAmerican, unChristian scum. That needs to be stated publicly by all decent folks.

You all need to read the police reports...The overreaction was Mr Gates alone. Nice little lesson on how easily some believe what they hear without a bit of proof to substantiate it.

The police officer is 100% right ! Gates is a loud mouth racist !