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

[FarOutFish]

As foot in mouth disease this doesn’t rate high on the “DEWEY BEATS TRUMAN” headline scale. President-elect Obama was gracious in calling Ms Reagan, however the unfortunate statement was the result of the reporters question. He obviously meant to ask, “Have you talked to any former Presidents?” Unfortunately he asked, “Have you talked to any other ALIVE” former Presidents?” That awkward phrasing did Obama in.

Politicians have standard answers to the usual questions, and Obama had one for this question. He launched into his canned answer, then you can see in his eyes as he realized the importance of the word “Alive”. He was obviously on the track leading to the big “OOOPS!”, and tried to change course to get out of the rhetorical hole he was digging. Although one of the most nimble speakers of out time, he proved he was indeed human and latched on the Reagan line making the hole bigger.

All of us suffer from “Foot in Mouth” disease. It’s usually a result of failure to ‘engage the brain before opening your mouth’.Obama missed its importance in the question. The Reporter looked stupid. Had Obama not have a rehearsed answer to the question, a good jibe “Unfortunalty dead men don't talk" would have been perfect.

In a way this is good for Obama. It proves he is a real human who can screw up, and not the ‘plastic, fantastic, politician’ played by Robert Redford in the satire “The Candidate”/

[Scott1560]

After the question was asked, I immediately began to see the humor that could come out of it. Could have been classic given the fact that Obama has solid writing skills. The smile came off my face the moment he invoked the Reagan name. A missed opportunity for displaying wit and a slap to those truly wanting to give Obama a chance.
I'll not let this one incident get in the way of supporting the new guy, but now I'm on alert for any future slights.

[IncredulousGeezer]

Yes, do dress up in your Minuteman uniform and be on the alert for future slights.

Where on the scale of slights do you reckon this taking of the Reagan name in vain ranks with what has been done to us from the Oval Office over the past 28 years?

[Cookie100]

DEMS, MUST, STOP, APOLOGIZING FOR ANYTHING!!!

STOP APOLOGIZING NOW! THE AS*HOLE IN OFFICE HAS NEVER APOLOGIZED FOR LYING ABOUT THE WAR.
FOR SOCIALIZING WALL STREET AND NATIONALIZING THE BANKS.

NOT ONE "I'M SORRY"

SHUT UP O, NEVER APOLOGIZE, EVER.

[torn2pieces]

Agreed!

[Culturemaven]

Ease up on the caps, please. Take a deep breath. Remember, this is supposed to be the presidency that changes the tone in Washington. A little civility and decency is in order. Pres.-Elect Obama can certainly afford to be gracious and apologetic to a former First Lady of the United States. It was an awkward, unflattering & inaccurate joke. He did the right thing.
Do you really want the Democrats to enact a scorched earth policy like the Republicans did when they came to office? That won't accomplish anything and will engender a lot of ill will here and abroad.
Hopefully there won't be anything else to apologize for :>)

[thepianodiva]

That's right. I don't think I've ever heard Bush say "I'm sorry" or "I was wrong."

[bluekatz]

Agreed. Treating adults like children is overrated. Nancy has a tough skin, literally, she could take it. LOL

[Scott1560]

For those who like to get a good laugh out of Nancy Reagan and astrology, I do strongly suggest that you Google "John Podesta" and toss in aliens, ufos, disclosure, Roswell, etc..
And by the way, Mrs. Reagan was not on the payroll. Mr. Podesta is a prime member of the transition team. Got to be some laughs there?

[carlgt1]

just google "Sarah Palin witch exorcist" and "Bobby Jindal exorcism" for a real laugh!

[Scott1560]

Yup, but that still doesn't negate Podesta's deep fascination with aliens. In fact, Palin & Jindal don't even come close given the fact that Podesta has made official inquiries while serving the Clinton administration. Not even close!

[mikekev58]

I saw the video and did think that Obama came off as glib. It was good he made the apology; at the very least it deflated the rabid right wing's seizing of an unimportant moment of perceived insensitivity.

[IncredulousGeezer]

I think the hoo-haa that followed this mild, little joke is quite revealing.
Drudge has had Politico's story on it as lead link for 2 days now!
The wackos commenting on Politico have gone bananas over it.

If Obama is really clever about it, I'm sure he will be able to obliterate the opposition, already in tatters from his success last Tuesday with regular doses of genuine humor. Add in Al Franken needling the likes of Jim Inhofe and Jeff Sessions in the Senate and the rout should be complete :)

[youinmississippinowboy]

All underestimate the words of Obama and what he actually meant by the reference to Ronald Reagan.

When asked if he had spoken to other presidents, of course the implication is 'living' presidents. Obama then made reference to Reagen (not Lincoln, Washington, JFK etc.). To refer to a recently deceased president in such a way is disrespectful. But that is only partly why he referenced Reagan. While Obama called to attention that Reagan is dead, so thusly is Reagan conservatism and Reagan economics.

In fact, it was not a gaffe, nor an attempt at a joke, but a crafted comment issued as the opportunity presented, from Obama's ideological innards. The apologetic phone call to Ms.Reagan allowed Obama to appear compassionate, yet the message was clear. REAGAN, AND ALL HE STOOD FOR IS PAST, AND CANNOT BE REVIVED.

It amazes me that he is able to continue to dupe millions of citizens as to the real intent of his statements. Obama is far more complex than his supporters realize, but that does not surprise me.

[dcjdjay]

A classy comeback from a cringeworthy comment on the Widow Reagan.

I was hoping that Barry would call the Widow Reagan and apologize, and he did. Good job, Barry. Now we can all move on.

While I was no fan of Nancy Reagan while she was First Lady, she earned my respect as she took care of the ailing Ronnie, and (I hate to admit it) my tears as she bid him goodbye at his funeral. The Widow Reagan is now as revered as the Queen Mum was, even by such snarky, commie-pinko, librrrrul, Muslin votin' devils like me.

[SpaceCadet]

jingles32: Kudos to MSNBC who has not mentioned it at all, all morning...just the dog debate, the mutt remark, which they said was funny! CNN on the other hand...BREAKING NEWS! lol
----------------------------------------------------------------

CNN had a tendency to treat minor gaffes and mistakes in Obama's campaign as major stories. Remember how they made a big deal out of Obama's "flip flop" when he merely stated he'd refine his position on Iraq based on discussions with military leaders? And at the same time, they bent over backward to minimize mistakes by McCain that were not minor, like his repeated assertion that Shia Iran was training Sunni Al Qaeda. They claimed it didn't matter because everyone "knows" that McCain is a foreign policy expert.

In a discussion about McCain's revealing statement that he didn't know much about the economy, CNN talking head Tom Foreman quickly asserted that "McCain knows a _lot_ about the economy." Of course, McCain's weird behavior during the economic meltdown suggested otherwise. Some of the CNN reporters did a better job than others, but Foreman has been one of the worst. CNN titles his report "No Bull, No Bias" which is kind of like Fox News calling itself "Fair and Balanced."

[MyUserName]

Ha HA HA HA!!!!
Gosh..now that was humor.
I guess you actually think MSNBC reports with No Bull, No Bias and is fair
and balanced..Oh My gosh...ha ha hah ah ha...
The should be called..
BS-NBC :-)

[jingles32]

Oh, I do remember...I'm still recovering from all of thier "breaking O news!" lol And that silly controversy over his supposed "flip flopping" on Iraq, i.e.his comments at that press conference. Gee, might have to be flexible on the Iraq issue depending upon circumstances on the ground, discussions with military leaders...that is what a thoughtful president is supposed to do, not merely dig his or her heels in just "because!"
Sandra~

[nevadagirl]

Nancy's daughter, Patty Davis, wrote in her book that Nancy consulted Jeanne Dixon regularly and even demanded that Ronnie's inaugeration as governer of California be held at midnight because it was "in the charts".

[jackmayoff]

I am surprised CNN didn't go into the use of the hologram to drive home their point.,

[jackmayoff]

Let's not forget this famous Ronnie gaffe in 1984 prior to going on he made this comment with a live mic....He said:

"My fellow Americans, I am pleased to tell you I just signed legislation which outlaws Russia forever. The bombing begins in five minutes."

I don't recall any apologies for this gaffe.

[RealityBaseCamp]

I'm pretty sure he did, and I've never been a fan of RR. I actually thought it was funny. I mean, I could actually appreciate a sense of humor in the face of the cold war. I think he was just picturing milions of people saying "WHAT?" Another favorite was Nixon caught on camera, saying "I'm afraid you're gonna catch me picking my nose."

[jobecky20]

Maybe he was just trying to give SNL some material. Although something tells me that there will still be some kind of Palin skit tonight...perhaps Palin vs. McCain aides?

[SatyriDon]

Exclusive Transcript of the Obama-Nancy Reagan Phone Call
http://satiricalpolitical.com/?p=4683

[gop4obama]

I listened to the press conference on NPR. In Pres. elect Obama's voice you could hear the confidence, the mental agility, and the effort to connect with the media pool in front of him. The Nancy Reagan comment seems to me the product of a quick wit looking to make a quick connection with the media, perhaps forgetting, due to fatigue, that the world was listening. Barack redeemed himself almost immediately with the "mutt like me" comment.

How many of us, in an effort to connect with an audience or to be humorous, go one small step too far?

If anyone believes that Barack will be perfect, they need to readjust their expectations. We're coming off of eight years with a dimwit for a president, whose comments were always carefully scripted. Let's give Barack, a truly gifted mind, room to grow in the job....a job he's uniquely well suited for.

[Bushwillresign]

Republicans actually said they were afraid, now that Obama will take over since he could very well 'ruin the country". The country is the worst it has ever been and will ever be at this point in the Bu$h era. Don't worry repulicans, we'll take over now.

[junebuginFL]

We'll see if he makes good on promise, giving us a stimulus check does not sound like a good idea, he is doing exactly what Bush did and that $600 I got went to pay credit cards.

If he must spend our money, he needs to put it in energy and create jobs, keep that $300-400 billion and put it somewhere else, not in my pocket, it will only buy Christmas gifts, a stimulus check is not any new thinking

[Einstein44]

Non-issue,but watch the repugs run with this story...They just want ANYTHING on Obama to stick. Guess what ? It won't work.

[strength]

i want a president that jokes, but i guess this one was going after the wrong target, You have way too much material on our current joke to make jokes about former presidents

[VarletsTintinnabulation]

The woman consulted a charlatan when her husband was sh-ot by a lunatic....

0bama consults with charlatans and is defended by the press and then elected...

He prays to an imaginary sky being and thinks there is a monster with a pitchfork in the bowels of the earth...

And yet he makes fun of an old woman's weakness and fear......

[dct1999]

She wasn't a frail old lady when she was in the white house, she was one of the most powerful women in the world.

Obama prays just like the vast majority of Americans, that makes him mainstream. BTW, I doubt that Obama believes in the cartoon devil that you describe. Put away the picture books and read some adult material.

[VarletsTintinnabulation]

What, like Anne Rice???

Deist Dolt....

[nevadagirl]

Nancy was into every occult thing out there, especially astrology. She ran Ronnie's schedule by his astrological charts. Obama mentioned her because they were asking about consulting every former president and obviously, the dead ones aren't much help. Then again, don't get lost in the Bushes.

[jdw1981]

Thanks for the nonsensical LSD-induced rambling.

[bellabeach]

Really these people need to lighten up...you are taking this way too seriously! Don't you have a sense of humor or are we going to nitpick everything our new Pres says...

[Bushwillresign]

We don't need to hear from you valet for about, uh, how about 8 years. Keep your double-spacing, double- talk to your self.

[jackmayoff]

I just threw up a little reading ths....nice try

[roshni]

huh?

[robertny49]

Thoughtful of Obama to maket the call but whenever Reagan comes up I remember how crappy a President he was. Just terrible! Coulndn't even say the word AIDS until after his friend Rock Hudson died of it. The Soviet Union was crumbling under its own failed system; he deserves none of the credit for its demise.

[VarletsTintinnabulation]

Read more and speak less... You won't look quite the fo-ol...

[robertny49]

I've read plenty and I lived through the time. I would suggest you try doing some research on the subject since you are obviosly clueless.

[dct1999]

Reagan - a bad actor, an even worse president

[vlebje]

Reagan was, I am sorry to say, only the second worst president in American history. George W. ran rings around Reagan for stupidity. Good riddance to both.