The death of Michael Jackson on Thursday recalled his brush a quarter century ago with an aide to President Ronald Reagan — John G. Roberts Jr., who would go on to become chief justice of the United States. Mr. Roberts, it appears, was not the King of Pop’s biggest fan in the White House.
Mr. Jackson had visited the White House on May 16, 1984, and appeared with Mr. Reagan at an event on efforts against drunken driving. The following month, according to files released in 2005 during Mr. Roberts’s confirmation to the Supreme Court, the White House was asked to contribute a letter from Mr. Reagan recognizing the pop singer’s work.It was to be published in a special issue of Billboard magazine devoted to Mr. Jackson, alongside photos from the White House event, in a section about his “volunteer activities and the national recognition of his achievements.” A correspondence aide at the White House, James K. Coyne, drafted a somewhat goofy letter that he proposed having Mr. Reagan sign.
It would have read:
Dear Michael:
Your visit to the White House was a real “thriller” for all of us here in the Nation’s Capital. In fact, the White House staff are still humming “Beat It” and “Billy Jean” and wondering how they’ll get tickets to one of your concerts this summer.
Your award last month was a tribute to your accomplishments in the entertainment business, but it was especially intended to recognize your generous support for our national initiative against drunk driving. This support for a cause that deeply affects so many young people is in line with your demonstrated concern for the public interest. I want to commend you on the very effective help you are giving us in persuading young people that drinking and driving do not mix.
Nancy and I send you our very best wishes for every future success and happiness.
On June 20, 1984, Mr. Coyne forwarded the proposed letter office of then-White House Counsel Fred Fielding, where Mr. Roberts, then a young associate White House counsel, was assigned to review it.
Mr. Roberts expressed acid disapproval in a June 22, 1984, memorandum to Mr. Fielding:
I recognize that I am something of a vox clamans in terris in this area, but enough is enough. The Office of Presidential Correspondence is not yet an adjunct of Michael Jackson’s PR firm. “Billboard” can quite adequately cover the event by reproducing the award citation and/or reporting the President’s remarks. (As you know, there is very little to report about Mr. Jackson’s remarks.) There is absolutely no need for an additional presidential message.
A memorandum for Presidential Correspondence objecting to the letter is attached for your review and signature.
The files indicate that Mr. Fielding agreed, signing the draft memorandum Mr. Roberts had written rejecting the request to have Reagan sign the letter.
On a side note:
1. Jackson performed at the ball for former President Bill Clinton's first inauguration on January 20, 1993.
2. Fromer President Jimmy Carter also had an opportunity to meet Jackson, albeit after he left the White House.
3. April 5, 1990: During a ceremony, where Jackson was awarded as “Entertainer Of The Decade”, Jackson met former President George H.W. Bush, who honored him with the “Point Of Light” award. Michael receives this award for his philanthropic activities. President Bush explained Michael’s humanitarian commitments to the press.
4. April 25, 2002: Michael Jackson performed at a fundraiser for the Democratic National Committee at the Apollo Theater in Harlem helping to raise nearly $3 million dollars towards voter registration.
5. Jackson was not a political man nor endorsed a political party. Online databases showed no sign that Jackson ever donated to a particular political party in recent years, nor did he publicly endorse any particular presidential candidate.
6. Lastly, Jackson recorded an anti-war song about the US invasion of Iraq, "We've Had Enough", which was included on his greatest hits package "Michael Jackson: The Ultimate Collection" released in November 17, 2004 which in that same year was the infamous "wardrobe malfunction" incident by Jackson's sister, Janet Jackson, at the NFL Superbowl Halftime show on CBS in her performance with Justin Timberlake.
1 comment:
Michael Jackson and Ryan White
Ryan White
I thought there might be something with Roberts, Jackson, and Ryan White that turned Indiana into a legal circus for a while but it looks like Roberts did not like Jackson before the Ryan White legal battle.
Maybe Roberts did not like Jehovah's Witnesses??
Post a Comment