Spokesman Jay Carney says /*President Barack Obama*/ has spoken out against violent and misogynistic music lyrics. But Carney also said media reports about /*Common's*/ participation in Tuesday night's East Room event distort what the rapper stands for.
Carney says Common has earned praise for being a socially conscious rapper. He adds that Obama appreciates Common's work trying to get children in their Chicago hometown interested in poetry.
Republican strategist /*Karl Rove*/ and 2008 GOP vice presidential candidate /*Sarah Palin*/ have expressed displeasure at the White House for inviting Common.