That Just Didn't Sound Right

The question on Henry Louis Gates and the response from the President just didn't sound right. Others have commented as well - Yuval Levin wrote a nice short summation:

"I was actually most struck by his answer to the last question, about the arrest of Henry Louis Gates. It’s the kind of question to which a president would normally reply with something like: “that's a local police matter, I don't know the details and I know it will be worked out responsibly,” and move along. Obama gave a lengthy review of the facts, called the police officers involved stupid, and implied they are also liars. Very odd behavior for a president."

My first thought was that Obama is trying to divert our attention from the healthcare trainwreck taking place just behind him. Unfortunately, my second thought was that Obama believes his office gives him the right to act as judge, jury and executioner. Sure, the charges had been dropped, but that does not give him the right to pass judgement on a local cop. Overall, not a big deal, especially in light of all else that is going on, but nevertheless annoying.