Tavis Smiley: Obama Is The First President Who Hasn't Invited Me To White House

NEW YORK -- When Cornel West recently spoke to The Huffington Post about media coverage of African American issues, the Princeton professor argued that President Obama is avoiding journalists who’ve offered tough critiques of his administration, such as PBS host Tavis Smiley. "Obama won’t touch him with a 10-foot pole," West said.

On Wednesday, Smiley backed up West's viewpoint during a C-SPAN sit-down with him to discuss their 16-city poverty tour.

“Prior to his being elected, he came on my radio programs and TV programs with regularity,” Smiley said. “Once he got elected and my critique of him -- about holding him accountable to various things didn’t sit so well with him or the people around him -- he has not, at this point, come on my TV or radio programs one time since he’s been in this White House.”

Smiley said that Obama, whom he's known for years, "is the first president in my professional career that hasn't invited me to the White House."

WATCH:

The White House didn't have any immediate comment in response to Smiley's statements.

Comments

[Prisilla Reed]

06:10 PM on 09/26/2011

Smiley and West, how could you two black educated men, be so foolish? Would it not be more effective and wiser to use your proverty bus, gas, and agenda for helping the black men and women in proverty, find resources and support for what they think of themselves and to support the only true black president, first lady and first grandmother we ever had in the white house. So what he didnot invite you to the white house. I will add that to the good things he have done for our country. You see not everybody believe that only whites can run this country, their of those that know they have ruined it.

[AlligatorShuz]

04:20 PM on 09/13/2011

Tavis Smiley is telling a lie President Obama never was on his tv or radio show because Tavis Smiley has had issues with Barack Obama since he didn't show up at his tired 2008 state of the black union mess.

[LuvRed14]

02:58 PM on 09/01/2011

I finally had time to view their website for the tour: http://www.povertytour.smileyandwest.com/. It's just okay. Hopefully these mega-minds can instruct their audiences in how to get resources or work with these non-profit organizations. I volunteer at a local soup kitchen, so feeding hugry people is something that's dear to my heart. So, I'll give them some slack for publicizing resources. I am not a fan of there politics.

[rnmina]

12:10 PM on 08/19/2011

Having been a bit under the weather prevented me from reading these two men's whines a week ago. Tavis, I wouldn't invite you either if you talked about me the way you ran on about Obama. You and the Prof both, stop while you're ahead. Just pick up your toys--bus-- and GO HOME! I'm pretty sure our POTUS may acknowledge you--though I don't know why he would--when he's no longer running the world.

[medic628]

11:27 PM on 08/15/2011

Tavis' ego and arrogance are just pathetic. He made his bed some time ago with the Obamas. He is a big baby.

[Info08]

10:22 PM on 08/15/2011

I think you could say almost anything about President Obama and he really wouldn't care. Hell, he might even say all is forgiven and invite you over for a beer with Vice President Biden if he feels like it.

But it's very clear that any slights against Michelle (such as the 08 SOTBU) will not be forgiven. Smiley and West are also out trying to promote their 16 City tour. So this might also be a way of capturing a little attention.

[AmericanLeslie]

08:29 AM on 08/15/2011

The Poverty Tour - being led by two individuals who live very comfortable lives and make a lot of money as self-appointed political commentators for Black America - while they hawk their books and CDs. Never mind the fact that neither Smiley or West have a credible record of giving back to the poor that they claim to care about so much.

[Cm Green]

12:32 AM on 08/14/2011

"No man or (race) ad on by me can be truly free whose liberty and(economic stability) ad on by me is dependent upon the thought,feeling,and action of others and who has himself no means in his own hands for guarding,protecting,defending, and maintaing that liberty". Words written in 1882. We have moved absolutely nowhere.

[Djuna Watts]

07:40 PM on 08/13/2011

What Travis Smiley and C West fail to realize is that the compromises made by the President were to protect the lower and middle class Americans as well as the elderly. I can only assume that neither of these gentlemen are receiving Unemplo...yment, Social Security, Medicaid or Medicare benefits...these benefits were placed on the table, by the Republican, to be altered. Had this taken place...many would have been horribly effected. The President made these compromises for the SAKE OF THOSE RECEIVING these benefit....he is doing the best he can to protect the less fortunate and the Republicans are doing the best they can to bury them. So when you choose to talk about the PERSON who is trying their best to save the lifeline of the poorest Americans...instead of the PEOPLE who are trying their best to destroy him (and us)...then I don't feel the need to question him or them...instead I feel the need to question YOU (smiley and west). We must stop assisting the republicans in destroying our President and our America. Instead we must assist President Obama in making a better America for us all by standing with him in this fight against the Republicans. LETS NOT ALLOW HIM TO STAND ALONE. If you think its bad now ...then what do you think it would be like if a Rep candidate wins the presidency? Father bless us all.

[Dee Dee Russell]

11:17 AM on 08/13/2011

Wah.
Absurd publicity wh@res!

[canoeboundaryh20]

09:04 AM on 08/13/2011

Tavis, love the show but hate a cry baby. The POTUS is saving you for his second term.
In case you didn't notice, he's a little busy these days.

[helorisc]

06:26 AM on 08/13/2011

tavis i wasn't invited get over yourself you put a knife in obama's back before he became president

[Vera Richardson]

01:12 AM on 08/13/2011

I must admit that I am not a Smiley fan based in part on his support of Hillary during the 2008 presidential election. I believe that Tavis Smiley’s continued efforts to undermine Pres Obama’s presidency goes deeper than him not being invited to Whitehouse or Pres Obama appearing on his show. I believe that Tavis and others maybe be laying the ground work for Hillary to challenge Pres Obama for the democratic nomination in 2012. Secondly, I contacted Tavis in 2007 seeking his help in publishing my book. I believe that if Smiley is holding Pres Obama accountable to African-Americans then he should also be held accountable for his failure to use his status including his publishing company Smiley Books, to present a personal profile of an African American female who lost everything because of racial discrimination and retaliation. Additionally Smiley could have also improved the civil rights in this country by having a conference on the need to for Congress to improve the Civil Right Act of 1964 as amended to prevent one judge from having the absolute authority to dismiss Title VII (discrimination) cases.
Vera Richardson

[Abouttogiveup]

10:07 AM on 08/13/2011

Ms. Richardson, stories like yours need to be told. Many have no idea of the level of systematic retaliation faced by those who pursue redress under Title VII. I can't help but notice the similarities in treatment received between those who ran afoul of the power structure in the former Soviet Union and those who run afoul of the power structure here at home today. The power in the old Soviet Union was of course the communist party, and the power here being corporations. In the old Soviet Union, those in good standing had party cards allowing access to well stocked stores and jobs. Those identified as malcontents had access to neither. Those who run afoul of corporate power here face similar consequences. Although one is never asked for a party membership upon entering stores here. The one labeled malcontent is prevented from partaking of the riches found because of the concerted efforts of the powers that be, to keep them unemployed. As one who has tried to use Title VII to address discrimination issues in the workplace, and who has heard themselves referred to as a NWA by “HR professionals," I feel your pain. I’m disappointed your book has not been published.

[Vera Richardson]

11:05 AM on 08/13/2011

Thanks for your comment Abouttogiveup. I mailed and hand delivered Smiley proof of my discriminatory experience and proof that Eliot Spitzer filed perjured declarations that resulted in an African American woman being deny her day in federal court. He didn’t help me yet he is demanding that Pres Obama acknowledge him and have a black agenda. My book was published 12/10and is available but not one has ever held Eliot Spitzer , the NYS Attorney General Office, or NYS Dept of Correctional personnel Superintendent Andrews, Deputy Superintendent Berbary, Affirmative Action Gerald Goncalves, Sergeant William Reed, Director of Personnel Eliot Gould, and NYS Assistant Attorney General Mike Russo accountable for committing perjury in their respectively summary judgment declarations that were filed in the Western District of New York (Buffalo). http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-436823
Vera Richardson

[Lloyd Harris]

09:23 PM on 08/12/2011

Hopefully, the president keeps it that way...

[jenga227]

08:47 PM on 08/12/2011

I would like the POTUS to visit my home for a good soul-food dinner while I give him a piece of my mind but I know that's not going to happen. So I don't cry and try to get mainstream media attention which makes a fo..O..L of you know who...