Obama on Sherrod: We overreacted

WASHINGTON, July 29 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama Thursday admitted his administration acted hastily in demanding the resignation of a USDA official who was quoted out of context.

In an appearance at the National Urban League centennial convention in Washington, Obama called for a national conversation on race relations.

Shirley Sherrod was asked to resign from her Agriculture Department job after a right-wing Web site posted selectively edited video of a speech she gave to the Georgia NAACP, in which she described her attitude in helping a white farmer who was about to lose his land. The site made it sound like she decided against helping the farmer because he was white. In reality, she worked with the man and saved his farm.

"She deserves better than what happened last week," Obama said.

Obama said the Sherrod incident underscores how "we should all look inward" and assess our attitudes on race relations.

In a taped appearance for "The View," Obama blamed the controversy on a 24/7 media cycle that doesn't always get the facts straight.

But, he acknowledged, "Of course there are still tensions out there."

Sherrod has since received apologies from both Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and the president. She also has been offered a new job at Agriculture.