WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama’s evening of poetry at the White House set off Republican critics before the artists had uttered a word.
The first lady invited prominent writers, musicians and a rapper to perform Wednesday night to showcase the impact of poetry on American culture.
But it was the inclusion of Grammy Award-winning rapper and actor Common that set off Republican complaints. Common, a Chicago-born rapper whose work has praised President Barack Obama, is considered fairly tame as rappers go. He is known for rhymes that tend to be socially and politically conscious.
Karl Rove, who worked in the White House for President George W. Bush, labeled Common a “thug” and said on Fox News Channel that the performer had advocated assassinating Bush.
Rove’s reference was based on Common’s lyrics criticizing the Iraq war that included the line: “Burn a Bush cos for peace he no push no button.”
Common, born Lonnie Rashin Lynn Jr., took the criticism in stride with a Facebook post in which he said: “Politics is politics and everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I respect that. The one thing that shouldn’t be questioned is my support for the police officers and troops that protect us every day. Peace yall!”
White House spokesman Jay Carney defended the decision to invite Common and said reports about him were deliberately being distorted.
