but i think it's very hard for people to forget. >> reporter: this isn't the first time the president has been heard on topics relegated usually to conversations around the water cooler. remember this? >> i'm really happy for you, i'm going to let you finish. but beyonce had one of the best videos of all time. >> reporter: the president criticized kanye west's behavior at the mtv music video awards. or this. the so-called beer summit at the white house, designed to soothe the controversy after the arrest of a prominent black harvard professor who said he was a victim of racial profiling. political analyst darryl west says whatever the reason for the president's call, it was the wrong call to make for the potential to alienate obama supporters. >> the president needs to focus on the ifsh oohs issues that are crucial for his own long-term future and not get drawn into these cultural or social issues that really are not central to his future performance.