Let's put aside how you feel about the President's remarks about Professor Gates' arrest in Cambridge for a moment.  Let's also move beyond the facts of the matter and examine how the President handled a growing public relations crisis that was threatening to overtake his main priority-healthcare.

As of today, the media had all but dropped discussion of the President's healthcare agenda and were instead caught up in his remarks about the Gates' arrest.  Recognizing this as a crisis that could derail his efforts at healthcare reform, Obama moved swiftly.  He called the Cambridge police officer and then walked into the White House briefing room to speak to the press about his conversation with the officer.  He also admitted that he should have dialed down the rhetoric on Wednesday evening.

Whether we agree with President Obama or not, we can all learn a lesson in crisis management from the way in which he handled this crisis.  First, he owned the problem.  He didn't try to duck it or blame others. Second, he spoke directly to one of the aggrieved parties. Third, he himself went directly to the press and took responsibility for it.

His actions remind me of an earlier crisis in his Presidency when he had mistakenly thought he could get Tom Daschle nominated as his one of his cabinet secretaries.  When he recognized his error, he admitted it and the problem was defused.

That's how we should handle any management crisis.  Take ownership, admit mistakes, offer solutions, and move forward.