President Obama Says He Feels "Great Urgency" To Address Issues Of Race Before Leaving Office.

[Stellar]

A year after Michael Brown, an unarmed black 18-year-old was fatally shot by a white police officer in Ferguson, Mo., sparking weeks of often violent protests in the city, the country is still struggling to deal with the issues the shooting, and others like it, have brought to the fore.

In an interview at the White House with President Obama, part of which is being broadcast today, NPR Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep asked whether political considerations in his first term prevented the first black president from properly addressing the race issue.

"That I don't buy," Obama responded.

"I think it's fair to say that if, in my first term, Ferguson had flared up, as president of the United States, I would have been commenting on what was happening in Ferguson," he said.

"Here's one thing I will say: That I feel a great urgency to get as much done as possible. And, there's no doubt that after over six and a half years on this job, I probably have an easier time juggling a lot of different issues. And, it may be that my passions show a little bit more. Just because I have been around this track for now for a while."

more: NPR

[DCBob]

1. Good he is going to do this.

I was expecting something like this. For sure he sees the problems and things seem to be getting worse.

[onecaliberal]

2. There is NO time to waste. Do something and do it now.