Obama Issues Statement On Dick Clark's Death

President Barack Obama issued a statement Tuesday on the death of entertainment legend Dick Clark, crediting the late host with "reshaping the television landscape forever."

The full statement:

Michelle and I are saddened to hear about the passing of Dick Clark. With “American Bandstand,” he introduced decades’ worth of viewers to the music of our times. He reshaped the television landscape forever as a creative and innovative producer. And, of course, for 40 years, we welcomed him into our homes to ring in the New Year. But more important than his groundbreaking achievements was the way he made us feel – as young and vibrant and optimistic as he was. As we say a final “so long” to Dick Clark, America’s oldest teenager, our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends – which number far more than he knew.

Clark passed away on Tuesday after suffering a massive heart attack.

Also on HuffPost:

Comments

[Cacey]

10:05 AM on 04/19/2012

Without reading any of the posts, I'm lookig forward to the creative ways the Cons will come up with to criticize the president this morning.

[kernalsan]

10:10 AM on 04/19/2012

F&F. But you give them too much credit when you modify their "ways" with "creative".

[bothpartiesstink]

02:32 PM on 04/19/2012

According to the IRS, in 2010, out of 143 million tax filers, 58 millions didn't pay any taxes at all - sure there was some collected - BUT - they got it all back with their refund and THEN some like my GF, who paid out $3,600 in federal and state but who got a total refund of almost $7000. It's that way for all her friends too. Most of the 58 million non payers earn $50,000 or less. That group of non payers is coincidentally the bulk of those who vote DEM, and who we see here on sites like Huff Po thinking they got something to bitch about. They don't. So when they gather around the Huff Po campfire and whine about the rich not paying enough taxes, maybe they should bump each other and say - HEY, we don't really pay any taxes, isn't that hypocritical? If you keep searching for the negative side of everything, you'll never ever be truly happy.

[Ayana Flowers]

09:58 AM on 04/19/2012

Well, clearly Obama is "race baiting" since he offered his thoughts on Dick Clark's passing.....

[mendelcrosses]

09:10 AM on 04/19/2012

yeah yeah!
From the guy who dished out the kind of threatment he did to helen Thomas. Words are cheap,Obama. If Mr Clarke ever questioned Isreal,Obama would have diced him just as much.

[mar6724]

08:22 AM on 04/19/2012

I grew up rocking with the oldest teenager. My children and grandchildren learned to dance with him. He was a man who allowed American families of all cultures and background to rock together Neighborhood Block and Street Dances, It was at one of those parties that many people formed lasting friendships. Blacks and Asians, Eastern Indians and Cubans, and Whites with everybody. This is his greatest legacy music transcends human differences and make everyone the same. It did for me and my family and all the cultural groups named in this post gave me an educated not found in school books and in many ways not even in church. Dick Clark educated America about other Americans and thus the world through music. RIP Dick.

[debkey]

10:03 AM on 04/19/2012

Very nice. Thank you for posting this.

[CleverMoniker]

04:30 AM on 04/19/2012

My wife Ann reports back to me about the entertainment what-not and so I am saddened, like most God-fearing patriotic non-democrat Americans, to hear of the passing of a legend, Miss Petula Clarke.

[Victoria4319]

03:58 AM on 04/19/2012

Mr. presidnet watch what you say you may be accused of saying something racist. Dick Clark was the man who bought music and culture into the living rooms of some of us like Don Cornelius they were the true pioneers of music, dance and soul no matter what color you were they taught us how to enjoy life. RIP Dick you were on of the best when I was growning up.
Amercian Bandstand was what was happening back in the day.

[songchannels]

02:00 AM on 04/19/2012

Why is the President of the U.S. out of his genre making comments on culture icons? Who does he think he is?

[Nick Lahanas]

02:31 AM on 04/19/2012

A human being with emotions and interests beyond his eight-year maximum job?

Hurr

[mendelcrosses]

09:11 AM on 04/19/2012

Yeah? And what was he when he took on Helen Thomas for expressing herself in a legitimate way? may be the president on that Occasion wasnt human?

[Victoria4319]

04:02 AM on 04/19/2012

Songchannels the president grew up in the same era as I did and he knows what he is taling about wheni it comes to culture. Dick Clark who hosted American Bandstand to teens of all colors and ethic groups gave us soul, dance, and culture. If you know nothing about American Bandstand, then you can't comment if you weren't there that is how the president knows about culture. Don Cornielius did the same you wouldn't know anything about that.

[Jack Lenahan]

01:24 AM on 04/19/2012

Dick Clark possessed an attitude towards life was fair and joyous. He epitomized what American idealism can and should be. Always gracious, always for the people, he assaulted social injustice and racism in a sublime and elegant manner. The number of people's careers that he helped to launch of all races is astounding. Dick never pontificated, preached lofty sermons, or criticized, he just acted with a subtle dignity that few will ever achieve and proved that hard work and a gentle smile will always be rewarded generously.

Jack Lenahan
A Devil's Chaplain
Charleston, SC

[rcblove66]

01:07 AM on 04/19/2012

you forgot to mention that you're an conservative idiot...

[Cacey]

10:08 AM on 04/19/2012

Actually Turtle made a pretty good sarcastic statement and you bought it.

[Seattlelite]

01:32 AM on 04/19/2012

OH, OH don't forget Anti American!

[PALEOLOGOS DRAGASH]

11:42 PM on 04/18/2012

No, Mr. Obama. Dick Clark didn't "reshape" America. He provided REAL hope and REAL change to our society in the 1950s and 1960s.

[Chloe From Chatsworth CA]

12:09 AM on 04/19/2012

You need to take a day off from seething. Seriously, it's unbecoming.

[PALEOLOGOS DRAGASH]

12:16 AM on 04/19/2012

Thank you, Pontifex. I repent and recant.

[Seattlelite]

01:37 AM on 04/19/2012

You sad tea bagger's....you'll use any thing, anyone and any event to to try and make it about Pres. Obama. It's so pathetic. LOL.

[DON McDONALD]

11:22 PM on 04/18/2012

A good man, I really thought that he'd outlive me (I'm 60)...brought back all the good times...bless him Lord, forgive and forget any flaws as we will, we loved your gift to us of him...

[janman50]

02:37 AM on 04/19/2012

Wooly Bully ... Wooly Bully!

You go Don!

fanned.

[Brandon Mc]

11:06 PM on 04/18/2012

Please don't make this political. There are plenty of other HP articles for either the left or the right to demonstrate their hate.

RIP Mr. Clark.

[DON McDONALD]

11:18 PM on 04/18/2012

You are totally correct, thank you!

[trojwl]

10:48 PM on 04/18/2012

OK right-wingers, what did Obama do wrong this time?

I'm sure there's some devious angle of his statement that I haven't thought of...

[Brandon Mc]

11:00 PM on 04/18/2012

Not a thing. Sympathies to his family and gratitude for all the memories.

[temmaleah]

09:06 PM on 04/18/2012

the passing of dick clark is a reminder that this 60+ female is losing a part of her youth.before dick clark ,rock and roll was alan freed and now both are gone. alan was my radiio icon and with his rock and roll movies was exciting. with dick he was my companion after school listening to the music and dancing along with the music imaging myself in the studio. and to see my favorite singers in the "flesh" was heaven....and then later watching his game shows,and the blooper shows and then every new years eve, (i don't watch ryan seacrest until dick came back from his stroke......my childhood may be gone but the memories that he gave me will last forever. may he be hosting a bandstand in heaven with all the performers that have gone before him.....rest in peace mr dick clark. mr entertainment,mr bandstand..............it was always the beat..........god bless and may the angels keep you.

[nyash12345]

08:17 PM on 04/18/2012

Tears. R.I.P. This is what a true American meant to me. Thank you for the music,oh lawd, that lit up with the lights in New York City, 70's & 80's style. OMG what a legacy. For all family, friends and fans alike, know that he brought years of happiness to many Love always. One love