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Bonnie Fuller

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Republican Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner Insults Michelle Obama's 'Big Butt'!

Posted: 12/23/11 09:46 AM ET

We know we're in a nasty political climate but partisanship has gone way, way too far when a Republican Congressman attacks the First Lady for having a 'large posterior.'

Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner you are a rude dude. You recently were heard complaining loudly at the Delta Crown lounge at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., that Michelle Obama should practice what she preaches with her "Let's Move" campaign, promoting healthy eating and exercise habits.
"She lectures us on eating right while she has a large posterior herself," he complained on the phone.

In other words, Congressman Sensenbrenner -- you had the nerve to say that the nation's First Lady has a big butt! In fact, the same Congressman was heard at a church bazaar earlier that week complaining again about Michelle Obama's exercise campaign and referencing her "big butt"!

Congressman, your behavior is wrong on so many levels, I am completely horrified.

#1) It is rude for ANY man to comment on what he perceives as ANY woman's figure flaws.

#2) It is hellacious behavior to do this to our First Lady, who deserves your respect. Her husband was elected by the American people and she graciously works to represent our country internationally and to help as many Americans as she can, in her unpaid position.

#3) Michelle Obama is NOT a political figure. She is not out there attacking you or any other Republicans and should not be the subject of  personal attack. Her efforts to reduce obesity especially childhood obesity are HUGELY commendable because we have a HUGE problem in this country. Over 33.8 percent of U.S. adults are obese ,as are 17 percent of children and teens.

#4) Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner, people who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. You sir, ARE FAT! Apparently, one of your favorite foods is cheetos and it shows! If you were smart, you would get with Michelle Obama's program and get moving!

#5) The disrespect you showed for the First Lady is actually disrespect for our institution of the Presidency itself. Is that what you wanted to show? Would you show equal disrespect for a Republican First Lady and how would you feel if a Democrat attacked a Republican First Lady? Actually how would you feel if someone said this about YOUR wife? You'd probably be the first to scream about it.

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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
ValdaDeDieu
Author: NOCTURNE, BLOODPACT, DEATH MISSION TRILOGY
05:15 PM on 12/26/2011
I find it creepy that a Congressman would focus so publicly on the First Lady's butt. It is an extremely disturbing de-personalization of a black woman, and hearkens back to when black women could be raped at will, by white males.

I have never seen a photo of Mrs. Obama's butt. There are more photos showing Kim Kardashian's and Jennifer Lopez's posterior, which arguably, are larger. Kim even built a career on hers!

Mrs. Obama is a healthy, elegant, athletic and beautiful black woman, with an attribute typical to such black women. Nothing--no pose, photograph or outfit--has shown her deserving such disrespect and such a sentiment-- by an elected representative, no less-- only goes to show how much of a retrograde he is.
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07:47 AM on 12/26/2011
Republicans hate women almost as much as they hate poor people, gay people, minorities, young people, scientists, educators others of non-Christian faith.
01:21 AM on 12/25/2011
It's about time a politician speaks the truth .
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07:50 AM on 12/26/2011
Who benefits and becomes a better person with this "truth"?
02:06 AM on 12/29/2011
You are aware of the average black woman's proportions, right? they tend to have larger butts and carry more muscle. that's why venus and serena look different than white female athletes. some can be stick thin and have a large ass. This doesn't at all undermine her campaign.

And as long as black female celebrities and athletes have been around, white people would learn that they simply have a different body type. YOU CAN NOT APPLY YOUR EURO-CENTRIC BEAUTY STANDARDS ON EVERYONE YOU COME ACROSS!
07:55 PM on 12/24/2011
Way to go sensenbrenner! I agree! She is waaayy hippo critical (LOL) to others considering her large posterior. I don't really call her "gracious" when they ran for office! They were ONLY ELECTED BC PEOPLE WANTED BUSH OUT. I did not vote for the obamas.
03:25 PM on 12/24/2011
A glance in my closet will convince you that I'm not qualified to comment on style or fashion, but it has recently come to my attention that a more generous helping of derrière is both envied (presumably because it is admired) and in vogue.

If you Google "Pippa pants", you'll learn that padded-bottom undergarments for women are selling briskly. Our Rubenesque female acquaintances will be fortunate not to feel the need to overhaul (or would that be "underhaul"?) their lingerie wardrobes.

So it appears that Mr Sensenbrenner is not only crass and unmannerly but also hopelessly out of fashion.
02:42 PM on 12/24/2011
IT IS MORE THAN THE PHONE CALL AT THE AIRPORT. THAT WAS STAGED I THINK A BIT. THE DECEMBER 23 ARTICLE IN THE MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTENAL NEWSPAPER GIVES YOU THE FACTS OF THE INCIDENT HAPPENING AT A HARTFORD, WI HOLIDAY BAZAAR. CHURCH WOMEN WERE QUOTED OVERHEARING HIM. AND HE SAID THESE THINGS BECAUSE HE FELT HE WAS SURROUNDED BY HIS REPUBLICANS IN HARTFORD WI.
12:15 PM on 12/24/2011
I encourage all members of Wisconsin's 5th district to really investigate the PAC funding behind his political machine. It's corporate money that runs this guy. Call Jim's office after the holidays to share some dietary tips!! Jim's # 202-225-5101.

Ed Rinker
07:04 AM on 12/24/2011
We all know why he said it. Don't we? Two reasons that are apparent.
06:36 AM on 12/24/2011
If congressman "Sensitive" Sensenbrenner did indeed say this, he needs apologise. What I don't see in this article is anything but accusations by the writer that he said these things. Who are the witnesses, and then we have the un-named church bazzar at which he made these statements. Writer Bonnie Fuller, Your article is wrong and I am horrified.
1. The song, "I like Big Butts" was hugely popular for a reason.
2. Every Republican "First Lady" with the exception of Barbara Bush endure even more hateful comments.
3. Michelle Obama has repeatedly engaged in political speech, but one should attack the political position not the person. The same standard should apply to Crticisim of Republicans as well.
4. No comment.
5. Complete nonsense. disrespect for the office of the presidency comment is "ignis Fatuus"
12:37 PM on 12/24/2011
Oh, just google him and you will see all the reports that he apologized. Why else would he apologize if he did not say this?

Sensenbrenner apologizes to first lady over "big butt" remark

http://www.jsonline.com/blogs/news/136060223.html
03:18 PM on 12/24/2011
If any First Lady of either party has endured hateful comments (similar or otherwise), they all deserve apologies. Let's start with Mrs Obama. (A sincere apology. Not one followed up with public explanation of why his comment shouldn't be construed as so egregious as Sensenbrenner's staff has taken to.)

How many of the alleged hateful comments directed at previous First Ladies were uttered by sitting Members of US Congress? There was a time when we thought we could hold our elected officials to higher standards of decorum than we held construction workers to. Is that time really that far past?
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
MissTigress
12:17 AM on 12/25/2011
absolutely. I cannot recall in my lifetime, any First Lady being attacked the way Mrs. Obama is attacked. There is no reason for a First Lady to be attacked like this, especially from a sitting member of Congress. Disgraceful.
07:50 PM on 12/25/2011
A couple of years ago, the CEO of the Tennessee Hospitality Association compared Michelle Obama to a chimpanzee. A South Carolina GOP activites, Rusty Depass, compared her to a gorilla on his Facebook page.

I'd really like to know from twf who said what about former GOP first ladies. I know I couldn't stand "W" and made fun of him, but I always respected Laura Bush.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
gearnhart
01:23 AM on 12/24/2011
how disrepectful to our nation's First LADY! how dare he.
10:43 PM on 12/23/2011
Why is someone's private phone conversation making the news is my question.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
montex
02:17 PM on 12/24/2011
Oh, so are you accusing the media of tapping his phone lines? It's all the media's fault. It never gets old, blaming other people for your problems, does it?
07:58 PM on 12/24/2011
TOTALLY AGREE!!!!
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
CPAwADD
Always look on the bright side of life.
07:47 PM on 12/23/2011
Sensenbrenner has been in the Congress forever. He's from a super safe district and he's an heir to the Kotex fortune. He's a disgrace.
06:28 PM on 12/23/2011
Has the man looked in the mirror lately!!!
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
LDF
That's me in the red coat
05:10 PM on 12/23/2011
Great article on this by Dan Bice in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He made the remark in one of the most conservative areas of the state, and probably figured everyone hearing would chuckle and agree. Not so. From Bice's column:

"The remark stunned the five congregants, according to Marsh-Meigs, who was the only woman at the table where the conversation occurred.

"She said she believes Sensenbrenner might have thought she wasn't paying attention because she was busy knitting.

"'I was sitting next to him, and I felt he should be called on it,' said the 72-year-old retiree. 'I just said, 'I just happen to think Michelle Obama is a beautiful and elegant lady, and I think she dresses beautifully.' And then he said, 'Oh, well, I think she's elegant, too.' He just started backpedaling.'"

Good for her!

And typical for Sensenbrenner.
02:07 PM on 12/23/2011
AlI want to say in the most respectable way I can is that the First Lady's ass looks fine to me!
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HUFFPOST COMMUNITY MODERATOR
Dosadi
Political agnostic
08:37 PM on 12/23/2011
Me too.