Instead of racializing the Gates arrest (without any specific evidence that race played a role) at his earlier press conference, Obama should have simply condemned it as wrong to arrest anyone for the act of arguing with a policeman even if it is part of official "protocol." Any search on youtube will reveal countless videos showing both blacks and whites arrested or tased for nothing more than questioning an officer. Now, with Obama's non-apology apology, a great opportunity has been lost to challenge the growing trend of police abuse against people of all races.

Of course, had Obama done this, it might also interfere with the discretion of federal law enforcement officers under his authority to do the same thing.