White House Confirms Obama's Michael Vick Phone Call, But Says He Condemns The Crime

NEW YORK CITY -- The Obama administration confirmed on Monday afternoon that the president, in a call with the owner of the Philadelphia Eagles, expressed gratitude for the team's decision to give a second chance to quarterback Michael Vick.

But the nexus of the call, spokesman Bill Burton told The Huffington Post, was on the team's plans to use alternative energy sources at their stadium. And while the president was thankful that Vick was given a career do-over, he still thought that the actions committed by the QB -- the orchestration of an illegal dog-fighting ring, the killing of animals and the deceiving of investigators looking into the matter -- were condemnable.

Here's Burton's statement:

The President did place a call to Mr. Lurie to discuss plans for the use of alternative energy at Lincoln Financial Field, during which they spoke about that and other issues. He of course condemns the crimes that Michael Vick was convicted of but, as he's said previously, he does think that individuals who have paid for their crimes should have an opportunity to contribute to society again.

News of Obama's call to Lurie was first reported by Sports Illustrated's Peter King. Vick's comeback has been celebrated by many sports fans, of whom Obama is one, but the notion that the president was seemingly willing to forgive the crimes rubbed a few folks the wrong way. Burton's statement helps to patch that aspect up.

Comments

[Rhowan]

04:39 AM on 12/31/2010

I think that many of you are missing the point of the call to the Eagles owner-----it was to discuss the solar panels that they are installing this coming year....an announcement made this fall, while Obama was a bit busy with mid-term campaigning.
Vick was a side-note in a larger conversation. However, the by-line story buzz created due to the Vick portion has buried all else. Our President can call whomever he chooses for whatever reason he chooses--he has the same rights that we all have. It's hilarious (but horribly pathetic) to think something so unimportant can cause so many to resort to petty gossip and name-calling of the POTUS.

[jjtb4v]

01:41 PM on 12/30/2010

Personally, I'm no fan of Vick's solely because of the dog fighting thing. I think that was inhumane. However, I find it interesting that not that long ago stories from PuffHo was being critical about the Prez's lack of pardoning convicts. Now I'm confused, Dear PuffHo, is it Everything the Prez does is bad or just All of the things? Please provide detailed specifics on exactly every single centimeter that is allowed for the Prez to function without being strung up so we the commenters can know precisely how mad to be - grazi! (ps- thanks to Sam Stein for posting this article for clarification. I appreciate it!)

[rayzrface714]

10:32 AM on 12/30/2010

Wrong it is not ok! I have had the joy of training and living my life with 4 separate puppy to death modes and each time line was about 8 years. Vick cannot be held totally accountable to the exclusion of any sane and reasonable resolution of the situation. Remember he is most likely just following the advice of whoever is in charge of his "public image" affairs? He is not a child molester! Certain people can be rehabilitated.To what extent remains to be seen.This is the land of the free and the home of the brave(atlanta?) Have a good holiday.

[zanzy]

04:33 PM on 12/29/2010

Reading through these comments..it is very sad to learn that many here feel it is okay to abuse, torture and murder their animals. There is so much work that has to be done, it's sickens me. Moreover, it is clear that Vick has not been rehabilitated, since he does not even understand why he was convicted of a crime. He seems bitter about it, as many people here do.

[BlackMagicWoman]

12:06 AM on 12/30/2010

He seems bitter? Seriously? And you came to this conclusion how, exactly?

[RationalCaliGirl]

03:47 PM on 12/29/2010

All of you Vick haters GET OVER IT! He served his time it's a done deal. Where is the outrage over Ben Roethlisberger raping young HUMAN girls? Human vs animal, get your priorities straight people.

[David Fruits]

09:40 AM on 12/30/2010

so until all human crimes cease, it is ok to torture animals. Got it. Wouldn't want to think about more than one thing at a time.

[hemorrhage]

02:37 PM on 12/29/2010

Obama's being consistant. Afterall, he already forgave Bush and Cheney for murder and torture.

[Georgia Yankee]

06:18 PM on 12/29/2010

I forgive you for beating a dead horse.

[MisterCee]

02:30 PM on 12/29/2010

I do think what Vick did was wrong, and to kill in the manner that he did seems to have a serious mental defect. He didn't just "dog fight," but he tortured and killed those dogs for a good portion of their lives. But since he served his time, he deserves to earn a living in whatever field he chooses.

After all, Ron Mexico deserves to earn a living.

[JohnMayer]

04:51 PM on 12/30/2010

The fact that he “did his time” doesn’t mean that he “deserves” anything. Certainly he does NOT deserve to be held up once again as a role model to young men, after serving only a couple of years (NOT the sentence MANY would have meted out to him). He might eventually redeem himself, but this is far too soon to forgive and forget.

But the real shame here, of course, is borne by the Eagles and the NFL who decided that his star power was enough to overlook any crime. I’ve discovered I don’t really need the NFL’s games to enjoy life. I don’t like what they stand for.

And shame on Obama for shrugging off Vick’s animal atrocities with a “Tsk tsk.”

[massjim]

01:54 PM on 12/29/2010

Terrible choice to put Vick in a place to be a hero for kids. Terrible idea for Obama to get involved.

[massjim]

01:34 PM on 12/29/2010

I'd like to thank the owners of the Eagles for making a hero out of an insane animal torturer. I think he's a great example for the kids and fans. In keeping with my policy of complete forgiveness of all crimes, I'd like to announce amnesty for all illegal immigrants, and the release of all prisoners.

[Georgia Yankee]

11:47 AM on 12/29/2010

Guys like this always screw up again. Not tomorrow, not next week, but far enough in the future for most to forget and reubut what they're saying about him today. When he's old and retired and has acted like like a civilized human being, then maybe I'll forgive him.

[LibRule]

01:21 PM on 12/29/2010

Nor did he call Vick.

[fbardim]

11:19 AM on 12/29/2010

The President should also commend the work of the many rescue groups, law enforcement agencies and other parties that have been trying to put at end to such barbaric practice as dog fighting.

http://blogs.bestfriends.org/index.php/2010/12/29/when-the-president-calls-about-the-vick-dogs/

[FreeProgressLiberal]

01:00 PM on 12/29/2010

That would be to inconvenient, taking too much time away from the beach...

[BN2112]

03:02 PM on 12/29/2010

Exactly!
But none of them can throw a football as well as Vick so they're not held in such high regard by this society.

[JWoodz]

10:50 AM on 12/29/2010

Let's be honest, and get off of our high horses for a second.

If it weren't Michael Vick, then this wouldn't have been that big a deal. Is Vick the first guy to every traffic dogs for torture and for fighting? Is he the only guy? Is he the worse offender? I don't think so. This went on before Vick, and unfortunately, is going on right now without him.

Where is the outrage against the current offenders? Where are the police stings? Where are the prosecutions?

Vick was targeted because he was a public figure. That doesn't excuse what he did, but it doesn't make him the devil either.

And, frankly, I believe law enforcement should be better spent tracking down and prosecuting people that enslave and traffic humans (young girls) as if they were dogs. All of this outrage about dogs in a country were people are treated the same if not worse, and in alot of cases go hungrier than dogs, is just sickening.

[Georgia Yankee]

12:57 PM on 12/29/2010

Before these sports "heros" became knitpicking, whiny millionaires that have nothing better to do than pi$$ their money away on drugs, gambling and pulling the wings off of flies, they use to be an inspiration to kids that looked up to them. Making an example of these high profile pinheads is the best way to get the word out.

[FreeProgressLiberal]

01:01 PM on 12/29/2010

We are in a country that rewards crime, Vick is a perfect example

[lapet]

10:48 AM on 12/29/2010

It's simple. Vick paid his debt to society, so he should be free to earn a living. Those that detest him have many options, from writing to the team owners to simply not watching the games Vick is involved in, or buying the products he or they endorse. It's that simple. As a dog lover, I detest what Vick did, and I do not think he is sorry for his actions, but he served his sentence, so as far as I'm concerned, his debt is paid. However, his past actions will follow him, as they well should, since he is a celebrity selling a product (his football team). It is up to the individual consumer on how they want to deal with Vick and the team he works for...

[E-MU]

11:12 AM on 12/29/2010

I think your's is a fair comment. My only take on the Obama statement is that the time to have made it was when Vick was hired by the Eagles, before anyone knew he still had skills or whether he was a recidivist, not now when the Vick bandwagon is rolling along - that was the "teachable moment" Now Obama sounds like another politician trying to glom onto a good thing.

[rayzrface714]

10:44 AM on 12/30/2010

I have been straining at the leash to make a comment about the Obama "quirk" just mentioned! To wit,please don't blame Mr.Obama? He should be commended for doing what is expected of him. LEARNING how to think and act like a REAL politician,to lie,to back slap in the good ol boy school,to as we in the army of 1975 used to say........C.Y.A.=cover your ass! Very important when following questionable orders.(think village slaughter in Viet Nam!)? I voted for him and now I have to sleep in the bed I made.Thank you.

[FreeProgressLiberal]

01:01 PM on 12/29/2010

You can't pay to get back animals that have been killed or maimed for life.

[E-MU]

10:21 AM on 12/29/2010

It seems to me that the time for praising the "second chance" was at the time of the hiring, not after Vick proved to be a great quarterback again. The "teachable moment" was when no one knew if Vick was washed up as a player or a recidivist - not now, when the Vick bandwagon is in high drive. The lauding of the Eagles sounds self serving at this point.

Sometimes its just better for a politician to keep his own council.

[Rhowan]

04:36 AM on 12/31/2010

You missed the point of the call to the Eagles owner-----it was to discuss the solar panels that they are installing this coming year......Vick was a side-note in a larger conversation. However, the by-line story buzz created due to the Vick portion has buried all else. Our President can call whomever he chooses for whatever reason he chooses--he has the same rights that we all have. The announcement regarding the changes at the stadium came this fall--when the President was a bit busy campaigning.

[E-MU]

11:34 AM on 01/02/2011

"Our President can call whomever he chooses for whatever reason he chooses--h e has the same rights that we all have."

No doubt. But if his call to the Eagles' owner was twisted by the media into a Vick issue, well, that's the way it goes. If a president opens a door, journalists run through it, so, I say again:
"Sometimes its just better for a politician to keep his own council."

[Georgia Yankee]

09:57 AM on 12/29/2010

I forgive Vick, now where's my unemployment check so I can go watch the game.