Obama Apologizes To Nancy Reagan For Joke About Seances

UPDATE: AL BROOKS: LIGHTEN UP AMERICA

WASHINGTON — President-elect Obama called Nancy Reagan on Friday to apologize for joking that she held seances in the White House.

At a news conference in Chicago, Obama said he had spoken with all the living presidents as he prepares to take office in January. Then he smiled and said, "I didn't want to get into a Nancy Reagan thing about doing any seances."

The 87-year-old former first lady had consulted with astrologers during her husband's presidency. But she did not hold conversations with the dead.

Obama spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter said the president-elect later called Mrs. Reagan "to apologize for the careless and offhanded remark." She said Obama "expressed his admiration and affection for Mrs. Reagan that so many Americans share, and they had a warm conversation."

It actually wasn't Nancy Reagan who was linked to conversations with the dead; it was Obama's top Democratic challenger for the presidency, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y.

In either case, use of the word "seance" might be overstated.

Nancy Reagan consulted an astrologer to help set her husband's schedule, wrote former White House chief of staff Donald T. Regan. The revelation created a furor and President Reagan even broke with his policy of not commenting on books by former White House staffers.

"No policy or decision in my mind has ever been influenced by astrology," Reagan said.

In his book "The Choice," Washington Post reporter Bob Woodward described how Clinton consulted with a spiritual adviser who led her through imaginary conversations with her personal hero, Eleanor Roosevelt. Newsweek magazine, which was promoting the book, characterized the visits as "seances," a term that White House officials quickly tried to squelch.

"These were people who were helping her laugh, helping her think," said Neel Lattimore, Clinton's spokeswoman. "These were not seances."

Comments

[vant]

Not that big of a deal. But nice of him to call her. I can't help but wonder who she wanted to win the election.

[ObserverinVancouver]

Given the Reagans' antipathy to Sen. McCain because of his treatment of his first wife, it would not be astonishing if she voted for PE Obama.

[obamagal]

I agree with both of you. I cannot imagine certain other politicians doing the same. In a word, class. Another very striking example of this was his immediate query to Lynn Sweet how she had hurt her arm. True concern. A wonderful human being, the PE Obama. :)

[roshni]

We know Ron Reagan voted for Obama.

[Blue in NH]

Mr. Obama's apology was very classy; his joke was right on.

[sunzen]

He just mispoke...Obama has always used his wit and intelligence to get people to like him much like Bill Clinton most likely its caused from not having a strong father figure in the home when young...so the rest of your life your searching for that stong male figure and trying to make people like you with your charm. It is classic. He needs to get over that it leads to getting into relationships with people that are not always healthy like Rev. Wright. He will grow up fast i am sure. He learns very quickly.

[sklfcats]

Righttttttttttttt
and if Palin said it, all hell would have broken loose

[Soundofthunder]

The Right's reaction to this is an extension of their over the top reaction to Obama's diluted Bill Ayer's connection, to Rezko, to Rev. Wright and so on. The slightest slip off the righteous perfect path shall be interpreted as proof that he's not qualified to be President. Meanwhile, 56 million people voted for a man who joked about bombing Iran, kil ling Iranians with cigarettes, and agreed with a supporter that Hillary is a b i t c h. But that's different. No problem there. He's a Republican.

The GOP: fostering hypocrisy and divisiveness for over a century.

SOT

[runforfun54]

Oh please, everybody just needs to lighten up and get a sense of humor.

[Crozier]

Her stepson, the adopted Michael is a neoconservative Republican like his father.
Her and his son, Ronald Prescott Reagan is a liberal Democrat and Obama supporter.

His call to Mrs. Reagan, I am sure, was facilitated by her son.

[StLouisWoman]

In the words of the infamous Cheney, "So?"

[sunzen]

I dont believe that Cheney is a good example for a defense.

[IllinoisTexan43]

Anyone besides me wish that the Bush administration had HALF the level of scrutiny that will follow the Obama administration? I don't mind him being under a microscope as I think he will do well, but God, I wish this were retroactive 8 years ago. Imagine the pain it would have spared this nation.

[blahber]

"scruntiy" ... you're joking right ..

the guy ridiculed a former first-lady within his first week....

the gloves are off ... Obama will age before our eyes, because after-all, he is a fraud.

[Soundofthunder]

Ridiculed? Nancy Reagan was a notorious spiritualist. Obama was being gracious, overly so I'd say, unlike McCain who joked that Janet Reno was Chelsea Clinton's dad.

Once again, the bar is set to the stratosphere for a Democrat, even as the Bush bar lies in the grass covered by 8 years of weeds, mold and abject fatal failure.

SOT

[LKV]

FRAUD...FRAUD!!!! You have to be joking..this is the first President in modern memory that has not taken big corporate money to win the election..everything he has is from the people that so desperately needed him to win. He made a comment that was in a bit of bad taste and then had the class and intelagance to realize how it could be misconsrude and when he did he did the honarable thing and called her to apologize. That is class!! We are lucky and blessed to have him!!!

[all4peace]

I think you meant "scrutiny"?
So scrutiny you...it was a joke..if your cat had kittens in the oven would you call them biscuits?

[cornagainstsorcery]

I mean, I'd rather Obama throw harmless pebbles to satiate the factions of the press corps who only gaffe-patrol. And then this will satiate the right so they won't get all pissed about Obama's "free ride" by the press.

[TMann99821]

Once the honeymoon is over, everyone will realize President Elect Obama is just a person like the rest of us. He will make more mistakes like all humans do. The only bad thing is when you don't learn from them, but I believe he will. We don't have to worry unless he starts repeating them.

[nextpres08]

Come on people get a grip...it was a mistake and a small one at that. He is HUMAN! If this small insignificant story gets this much traction then what's going to happen when something is much more serious? This is very concerning.

[Lagniappe]

I personally thought the "mutt" remark about HIMSELF somewhat cryptic. Did he mean "mixed breed"? Anyhoo,no matter how you slice and dice it, the content and intent of his "gaffes" could NEVER rise,or should I say descend, to the gutter level and intentional meanness of La Palinista's Cariboo-boos.

[lottakatz]

It could just be that after a couple of years of campaining and watching every word his ability to express his sense of humor is a bit atrophied. Verbal humor takes practice and refinment- editing. He should have said 'an all American, like me'. That's what 'mutts' are called in my neck of the woods; 'what kind of dog/cat is that? S/he's an all American.'

[kokuaguy]

Yes, his funny bone has atrophied (nearly wasted away) during the campaign! That's a great analogy and a wonderful insight. As with most things, we either use it or lose it. Keep the comments coming, lottakatz. You're a gem.

[LarBear]

Lagniappe...

Being of English, Irish, Dutch, Welsh, French, German and Cherokee bloodlines, I claimed the Heinz 07 (NOT Heinz 57) label... OK, OK, so my Ancestors fought each other and Loved each other... LMAO... That's LIFE.....

I know many in other Nations are NOT of mixed blood, but I am guessing many of WE Citizen's of the USA, are... That probably includes Mexican's and Canadian also.... We're like blends of fine Wines, Liquors, Spices, or Herbs... We get better with aging and Loving...

[Aynes]

For all of you people that say. "give Obama a break on this," may I remind you that he is the president elect of the US and that was soooo stupid!!!! My gosh, people...his first news conference and he is LATE and then he makes such a stupid comment about Nancy Reagon..Sure she is forgiving but what makes you think he won't make the same mistake with insulting some foreign country diplomat!! That was my problem with Obama all along. As long as he has a teleprompter, he is smooth and savvy but without that, he stutters and stumbles....Four years we will have to endure his gaffes.

[edwarvir]

Aynes I think he was talking to the press. becsuse I
had the same thought. CLARIFY IT MR. PRESIDENT. HE'S
YOUNG AND HUMAN HANDSOME SMART AND LOVABLE..
The press likes to make a big deal out of everything he saids
I would like to see half the people accomplish what this young
man has. Including you.

[Thinklongterm]

Oh grow up! Who gives a crap about Nancy Reagan anyway. Her husband is dead, his tax cuts, deregulation, and brand of capitalism may live on but we're about do something that too!

I borrowed that from Rush's rant on FDR and changed things around a bit.

[Soundofthunder]

Odd that the GOP resurrects Ronald Reagan almost daily, but has a problem with a seance comment from Obama.

Hypocrisy is a cherished Republican value. Please continue the tradition. Democrats will control the Oval Office for two decades or more.

SOT

[vant]

Aynes, you really think there's a greater chance of Obama insulting a foreign dignitary than McCain? Come on, now. McCain was the hothead who joked about bombing Iran, not Obama. McCain was the one famous in the halls of the Senate for flying off the handle, kicking people out of his office and poking fingers in peoples' chests.

If you were afraid of gaffes, you should be thrilled with the outcome of the election.

[Judyisacutie]

I think he meant he wasn't going to get Nancy Reagan and doe a seance. Silly joke. So what.

[ckfan]

People - CALM DOWN. It was an innocent joke. Geez. LET IT GO.

[all4peace]

I just spoke to Ronnie, he loved it...

[JustifiablyParanoid]

HehHeh.

[Ramirez]

ka-ching!

[kokuaguy]

Next time ask him whether Nancy did in fact vote for Barak. Just curious.

[EmotionDetector]

Agreed. Stop hanging on Obama's every word...Sheeeesh!

People have gotta stop obessing about the guy.

[sunzen]

He needs to use his internal editor more effectively thats all

[luke150]

Barack just proved that he is not 100% perfect, but only almost. It wasn't appropriate, but it was inocent and he immediately appologized. No big deal at all. I hope FOX are not jumping on this (I don't watch them, so I just hope).

[TMann99821]

Could you imagine if Sarah Palin had said that? Matthews, Maddow and Olbermann would devote their entire hour each to it.

[Ramirez]

It would provide weeks of comedy content. Imagine Maher, Colbert, Stewart, Letterman, Olbermann, Cafferty, Sanchez. They would be writing songs about that gaffe.

[Thinklongterm]

What a bunch of losers! If this is how you people are gonna act for the next four years your heads will explode.

[Soundofthunder]

Actually the press would have been impressed that Palin said something not stuffed in her tiny little head by campaign handlers.

SOT

[LarBear]

luke150....

Actually, percieving Perfection as an ongoing and expanding process, making mistakes and correcting them is Perfection.... When People tell me GOD is Perfect, I let them know, I am sorry to hear of GOD's Death....

Life happens through our Beliefs....

[sunzen]

he proved that before. I thought earlier in the campaign when he used his grandmother as an example of xenophobia in older white people was much more important.

[roshni]

No that was an observation on his own life experience. People you love can do things you disagree with. If you missed the point of this, I'm sorry.