Obama riots

The Obama riots were a series of racially motivated conflagrations that erupted nationwide in the last half of President Barack Obama's second term. Initially elected as America's first "post-racial" president many African-Americans became increasingly disillusioned as Obama's presidency progressed. Critics charged Obama personally inflamed the rioters and lawless elements responsible for the destruction of property, businesses, and jobs in several American cities.

"Police acted stupidly"

President Obama attempted to mitigate the fiasco his off the cuff comments about the integrity of law enforcement in the performance of their duties by inviting his good personal friend and the arresting officer to a White Beer Summit.

In the opening months of his presidency, Obama's close personal friend Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. was arrested on misdemeanor disturbance charges. Gates boasted to the arresting officer, "Do you know who I am?"

Asked about the incident at a prime time press conference, Obama said the arresting officer was "acting stupidly." Polls shortly after revealed Obama's personal popularity and approval ratings declined significantly with the greatest declines among poor people. The Pew Research Center noted "Some of the larger declines are among members of his own party."