The rapper Common was invited to take part in a White House poetry event on Wednesday, angering some GOP members who claim the hip-hop artist's lyrics celebrate violence.
Last night's "Evening of Poetry," part of Michelle Obama's White House Music Series, reportedly went smoothly, showcasing performers like singer Aimee Mann, comedian Steve Martin, and former poets laureate Billy Collins and Rita Dove.
But some right-wing pundits criticized Common's participation in the event, pointing to controversial rhymes he recited on a 2007 episode of HBO's "Def Poetry": "Why they messing with Saddam? / burn a Bush cos' for peace he push no button / killing over oil and grease / no weapons of destruction," ABC News reports.
Karl Rove railed against the inclusion of Common on the radio program "The Sean Hannity Show" on Tuesday, calling the rapper "a thug."
"Yes, let's invite a misogynist to the White House, a guy who's called for violence against police officers, and called for killing the former president of the United States George W. Bush," Rove said, according to ABC.
On Fox News' "On the Record with Greta Van Susteren" Wednesday, Sarah Palin also spoke out against Common's participation in the event, saying, "The judgment is just so lacking of class and decency and all that's good about American with an invite like this. They're just inviting someone like me or someone else to ask, 'C'mon Barack Obama who are you palling around with now?'"
