NEW YORK (AP) - President Barack Obama blames the media for
creating a "phony controversy" over racial remarks by a black
Agriculture Department official that were posted on the Internet.
His administration ousted the employee, but then apologized and
offered to rehire her.
In an interview on ABC's daytime talk show "The View," Obama
says the media often seek controversy, not the facts. But he
acknowledged that the forced resignation of Shirley Sherrod could
also be blamed on those in his administration who overreacted.
Obama said the incident shows that while progress has been made,
racial tensions still exist in the U.S.
The wide-ranging interview also covered lighthearted topics,
from Obama's knowledge of pop culture to his Blackberry use.
(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)