Obama Cites MJ As Entertainment Icon

3-7-2009) In an interview, US president Barack Obama has called Michael Jackson a brilliant performer.

"I'm glad to see that he is being remembered primarily for the great joy that he brought to a lot of people through his extraordinary gifts as an entertainer."

Obama said he did not see any controversy in the fact that he did not issue a formal public statement upon Michael Jackson's death, and said he was unaware of any dissatisfaction in the black community with his response.

"I know a lot of people in the black community and I haven't heard that," Obama said.

The president said he grew up on Michael Jackson's music and "I still have all his stuff on my iPod."

"I think that Michael Jackson will go down in history as one of our greatest entertainers. His brilliance as a performance also was paired with a tragic and in many ways, sad personal life."

Source: MJFC / smh.com.au