Okay, I was trying not to be political, but I will answer this. If you had been invited to Obama's WH and asked him that without being hostile, I firmly believe he would have talked with you and answered your question. (Whether it was to your satisfaction or not is not the issue.)
If someone went now and asked that same question, I firmly believe they would either be ignored or roughly escorted out of the residence.
Perception is reality I guess.
This is the problem. It is not a forum for bringing up political differences. It is a photo-op, and going to the White House with any President there is cool and an honor. In this day and age where people hate each other because of differences of opinion, it's no surprise that an NBA team doesn't want to go to the White House. That would have never happened before, and it's not because of the current President. It's because too many people lack tact, and are so used to saying things on an anonymous level on Facebook and Twitter, we shouldn't be surprised when that spills over into the real world.
Even folks on this forum think that, if I disagree with them, I must dislike them. What a sad turn society has taken in that regard. We can all have differing opinions, but we are all Vandy fans, and if we all met in person, I am sure we'd all become friends. No different in terms of visiting the White House. If anyone engaged on that level with the President, I am sure they would find him affable and with a sharp sense of humor. That is what NBA teams (and whoever) are missing: it is not a political forum or statement. Just go and experience the White House. I have been in the West Wing, and it was an awe-inspiring visit. We could not go in the Oval Office, but we were leaning into it. Got photos behind the podium in the press briefing room. Just to think of the history in that place is really cool. It's sad that everyone doesn't want to participate in that.
