Obama apologizes to Nancy Reagan for seance remark

[onehandle]

Source: AP

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."

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081108/ap_on_el_pr/obama_seances_3

[Capt. America]

1. Not a good start, stay on target.

[Peregrine Took]

2. Don't try to play "funny" for the press - they will hang you out to dry for

your honest attempt at humor.

We think you're witty - to hell with them.

[salguine]

28. This after the press being asleep at the frickin switch for eight years.

[slutticus]

3. Good. I kinda cringed when he said that.

Good for him for owning up to it and apologizing.

When's the last time we ever heard the headline "Bush called ... to apologize for ..."

We all say shit that comes out the wrong way.......and at that time you have two choices. He made the correct one.

[wanpete]

30. I was listening to it on POTUS 08 and cringed as well as I knew it wasn't a good thing once he

uttered it. Maybe a good idea to stay pretty focused when speaking to the press and leave the jokes and quips alone.

[JerseygirlCT]

45. I did, too. Good for him for the apology

She doesn't deserve that sort of stuff, even though it was meant lightly.

And as you say, when was the last time Bush owned up to something like that? I'm glad to hear Obama did.

[goclark]

4. Every president that I have witnessed played with the press

The fact that he even called her is remarkable.

The Chimp would have just said it and kept going.

He is not perfect in the eyes of all of us but he has been close to it, so he has spoiled us. :hug:

[GoddessOfGuinness]

49. It's that unavoidable "Well welcome to the White House" moment...

No president is immune.

[The Traveler]

5. He screwed up, Then he called the lady up an apologized.

Barack owns his own shit and cleans it up fast. That really was an uncalled for comment, though I do not believe he meant any ill will. But he owned it and made quick amends. Good example for us all.

[Xenotime]

33. He didn't have to do that. I thought it was funny.

It's good to see humor come back to the WH after some many years of death, anger and suffering.

[ramapo]

6. It made me cringe a bit too

I said to myself "uh-oh, he shouldn't have gone there", but good for him for owning up to it and making the call.

[Enrique]

7. Obama calls Nancy Reagan to apologize

Source: AP

WASHINGTON (AP) — 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.

Read more: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5imJIbYI1pORnIiUHTyOhEndE2zSQD94AE5M81

[Name removed]

8. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Faygo Kid]

9. And also did the right thing.

Which I believe we can trust him to do, regularly.

[Gman]

10. How refreshing to not hear the non-apology apology

we've grown so used to hearing from the GOP. The "I'm sorry if you were offended" stuff.

[Turbineguy]

11. The Blues Brothers:

"Wha'd I do to pissss you off this time BAAAAABAH!"

[Sal Minella]

17. "I'm so sorry you failed to understand what I said....." Even the Pope has offered that one.

[MindMatter]

25. If he thought like today's Republicans, he would have found a way to blame Nancy Reagan

for the comment.

It is so much better to simply say, "I made a mistake and I'm sorry."

This guy is so refreshing.

[AlbertCat]

12. The 87-year-old former first lady had consulted with astrologers during her husband's presidency.

Which is just as lame and stupid as talking to the dead.

[Faygo Kid]

14. Doesn't matter.

Barack did the right thing. A distraction, and not necessary.

[Sal Minella]

15. Not if you believe in the first and disbelieve in the second.

To you and me they're equally lame. To her, not.

[struggle4progress]

19. It doesn't matter: it was two decades ago and she shouldn't be a target now

[Gullvann]

36. :-)

CALVIN: I decided I believe in astrology and horoscopes.

HOBBES: Really?

CALVIN: You bet. It only makes sense that every facet of our daily lives should depend upon the position of celestial bodies hudreds of millions of miles away. Look here. Today I'll have "Key policies implemented". I get to have my way!

HOBBES: Oh those mischievous planets.

CALVIN: The newspaper couldn't print it if it weren't true!

CALVIN: My horoscope says, "turnabout means circumstances in your favor. Assert views in confident manner. Lunar cycle high, many of your key policies will be implemented". Isn't it great? I'm fated to get my way! The heavens decree it!

HOBBES: So what are your "key policies"?

CALVIN: First, obviously, is "don't do homework". C'mon, let's go out and play!



HOBBES: Here comes youe mom and it looks like she has a bone to pick with the moon.

CALVIN: Ha! Watch me assert my views in a confidential manner!

HOBBES : Your mom didn't care much about the lunar sanction of your no-homework policy, did she?

CALVIN: hmph! Well, my horoscope said "MANY key policies will be implemented". Not ALL of them. Besides, it says to expect a turnaround in my favor. Mom will relent next time for sure.

HOBBES: What are your other key policies then?

CALVIN: No baths, stay up late, don't go to school... THESE are the ones that will be implemented.

HOBBES: Maybe the astrologer was looking through the wrong end of the telecope...

CALVIN : C'mon moon, do your stuff!

CALVIN'S MOM: I thought I told you to take your bath.

CALVIN: Sorry, mom. You have no say in this.

MOM: You're in for a surprise, buster.

CALVIN: Circumstances are going to turn in my favor! that's what my horoscope says! All human affairs are determined by stars and planets, and today they say my key policies will be implemented. That means no bath and no bedtime!

: By golly, it's not good to thwart the intentions of the universe!

HOBBES: Faith just isn't what it used to be.

CALVIN: I don't understand it! Not a single part of my horoscope came true! My policies weren't implemented and circumstances didn't turn in my favor! Quite the opposite, in fact! What wen't wrong?! I thought this stuff was based on planets and stars! How could those be misread? What kind of science IS this?!

HOBBES: I'm sure any scientist would give you a categorical answer...

CALVIN: Maybe tommorow's horoscope will print a correction and apology.

CALVIN: Did today's horoscope print a retraction of yesterday's prediction?

HOBBES: No. There's just a new one for today.

CALVIN: What's it say?

HOBBES: Yours says, "Popularity zooms upward. New encounters pay big dividends."

CALVIN: Hmm, that's good.

HOBBES: Wait, it goes on. "Emphasize romance. Opposite sex finds you irresistible. Lucky day for love".

CALVIN: OH NO!!!!!

HOBBES: I bet *I* know what the big dividends are! woo woo woo!



CALVIN: Don't make me go to school! Please don't make me! Help!

CALVIN: Leggo! ow! stop! You don't understand! My horoscope says I'm irresistible to girls today! I'm too popular! I'm going to get big dividends! Augghhh!

CALVIN: What if Susie kisses me?! I don't want romance! I hate Susie! Call me in sick! Help!

MOM : Dear, I got him! Grab his feet while I pry his fingers loose!

CALVIN: PUH-LEEZE!!!!!

DAD : I wonder what it would cost to rent a place in town...

:

CALVIN: Maybe today's horoscope won't come true. I don't WANT a lucky day for love!

HOBBES: "Opposite sex finds you irresistible". Hee hee hee!

CALVIN: I don't believe in astrology any more! It's all phony! Yeah, that's right!

HOBBES: Mooches smooches! Mm-mm! You yow!

CALVIN: Stop it! Yesterday's prediction didn't come true, so I'm sure today's won't either! I'm not worried!

HOBBES: When's the wedding?? Should I wear my spats??

CALVIN : In a minute you'll be wearing a BODY CAST!

HOBBES: TRY it, lover boy! We'll see how you kiss the girls with a fat lip!



CALVIN: Take it back! I'm never getting married! Never!

HOBBES: Love 'em and leave 'em, eh? You rake!

CALVIN: That does it! I'm going to knock you into next week!

HOBBES: Wait! Wait! Susie's coming!

CALVIN : What? She is? AUGH! She IS! I've got to discourage romance!

HOBBES: You can't! Smoldering passion is your fate!

SUSIE: Gosh, Calvin, the dirt covering your features is a big improvement.

CALVIN : Oh, no, it's TRUE! I'm a love magnet!

CALVIN: Stay away, Susie! I don't want any big dividends, got it? Don't listen to Hobbes!

SUSIE: What?

CALVIN: The stars and planets are doing this! I can't help it! My aura is uncontrollable!

SUSIE: What?

CALVIN: It's the bus! The bus is here! Wheee! I'm safe! You can't do anything now! Ha ha! I'm off to school! Hoorayy!

SUSIE: What?

SUSIE : The way Calvin's brain is wired, you can almost hear the fuses blowing.



HOBBES: So Susie didn't kiss you today?

CALVIN : Nope! In fact, after I put a worm in her hair, she knocked me down and kicked me in the shins!

HOBBES: That doesn't sound like zooming popularity.

CALVIN: Nope! My horoscope was completely wrong again! The planets obviously have no influence on me! What a relief to know my life isn't controlled by outside forces! I'm the master of my own destiny!

:

HOBBES: ... to a point, of course.

CALVIN : The paper should print MOM'S daily predictions. THOSE sure come true.

[mdmc]

48. thanks for that

[sjdnb]

13. He did the right thing ... not a huge gaffe, but a gaffe, nonetheless

As my mother used to say .... "Don't let anything fall out of your mouth you might regret. You can never get it back." I'm pretty sure Obama went "oh, crap" in his mind after he said it and did the right thing.

As a relatively insecure person, myself, I learned from my hubby - the confident one, that it is OK to admit when your wrong. Actually, it's more than OK, it is the only right thing to do.

[Shardik]

16. I can undesrstand WHY he apologized,

But I'm sorry, that was nutty as hell when it came out.

Still is, even if St. Ronnie is the Freeper Deity.

[MilesColtrane]

18. Class all the way.

[metapunditedgy]

20. FWIW, _evanglicals_ were criticizing Nancy for that reason way back when.

It's old news, though.

[unkachuck]

21. it was....

....a quick insight into his thinking that caught my attention....his view of repugs in this period of kumbaya came through, very good....

....but it was good to have called the old hag to apologize....she's been out of the fray for many years....he didn't need to ruffle her 87 year old feathers....

[CTyankee]

35. I read somewhere that Nancy had liked him in the campaign. Not sure if she

said that with an intent to vote for him but she did say she admired him...

[Libertyfirst]

22. Class Act to Call. Let's remember Mrs. Reagan supports stem cell research. n/t

[pitohui]

23. it was a JOKE

we needn't assume that old ladies are too old to "get the joke," ronnie is the one w. alzheimer's not nancy

but i'm glad they were able to talk and share a chuckle about the "apology," poor nancy has seen much worse, remember ronnie's gaff about "the missiles were launched five minutes ago?"

yeah, in a technical sense, hillary had the "seances," although i don't think they were real seances, they were more visualizations of the "what would jesus or eleanor roosevelt do" type of thing


yet he doesn't need to call hillary to apologize because he respects her and knows that she knows IT'S A JOKE

think about it

[bertman]

24. I kind of cringed when I heard him say that. Even though it was funny, it seemed out of place

for his first televised national news conference as Preznit. Glad he had the good sense and grace to call Nancy and offer his apology.

Actually it makes me like him more. He's been so close to the vest during this primary/election campaign that I wondered what his sense of humor was like. Now we know. It's quite intact. Can't wait for the next zinger. Rimshot, please.


Oh yeah, did anybody notice that he chopped "President of the United States" just like Bush and McCain do? It came out something like "Preznent". Ummm.

[MindMatter]

26. He can turn it into a positive

By calling her to make the apology, he is reaching across the aisle at least symbolically. And if a warm conversation followed, don't be surprised to see him involving her to help with important causes where we share common ground.

A sincere apology can be a great ice-breaker.

[Baby Snooks]

27. Three guesses what the late-nite comedians will be joking about tonight...

Why should he apologize? She brought the jokes, then and now, on herself by hiring Joan Quigley to literally plan each and every day after the assassination attempt. She has tried to distance herself from the reality but the reality is she was a devotee of quite a few astrologers through the years and his friendship with Hollywood astrologer Carroll Righter was well-documented by even Reagan himself despite her attempt at one point to dismiss it as nothing more than a casual acquaintance between the two and Reagan occasionally reading Carroll Righter's astrology column. Just for fun and entertainment. The real fun and entertainment began when Donald Regan's book came out. Especially for those who knew and who wondered, and still do, if the "female astrologer in California" was really Carroll and Donald Reagan just simply didn't know that Carroll was quite male, quite conservative, and quite openly gay to boot. What was interesting was that the same day the book came out the White House issued a condolence statement about the death of the Reagan's good friend Carroll Righter. And then the you-know-what hit the fan. And probably will again. At least with the late-nite comedians.

As for Hillary Clinton, well, she probably would have done better to have hired a real medium and tipped the table a couple of times. Imaginary conversations with Eleanor Roosevelt? No doubt explains why she is always up at 3 am. She's having imaginary conversations with someone. Waiting for the phone to ring.

[buddysmellgood]

29. Yeah, it wasn't a "conversation" because she only heard the voices.

[krkaufman]

31. The conspiracy theorist in me says Obama did it on purpose ...

... in order to "offend" sensibilities just so that he could offer an olive branch to Ronnie's wife. Crazy, I know; but the thought passed through my head.

And then I heard the 'mutt' "joke", and began to worry that Obama was jettisoning his reserved approach a bit too soon.

[rpannier]

32. Good for him nt

[Paladin]

34. Well Handled

No sense in handing the right wing talking heads some raw meat this early on......

[Rob Gregory Browne]

37. I think it would be great

if, along with our new spirit of bipartisanship we could grow thicker skins and appreciate a joke for what it is. A joke. I laughed, the reporters laughed, it was a funny moment in an otherwise serious press conference. Why anyone would make such a big deal of it is beyond me.

rgb

[Psephos]

38. HRC is the one who actually held seances

Jean Houston conducted the new-agey sessions with Hillary in the solarium atop the White House.

Mary Todd Lincoln was a seance aficionado as well...she favored traditional-style sessions.

[appleannie1]

39. The press is making much over it. Bet Nancy chuckled when she heard it.

It was a joke and she has a sense of humor.

[Raine]

40. Obama is such a nice guy, it's such a nice change to

have someone who is sensitive to other's feelings. :thumbsup:

[ohio2007]

41. must have been something in his horoscope that day to change his mind

Illinois lottery, pick 3 on Nov 5th, the day after the election
and the winner is

666

http://www.illinoislottery.com/subsections/NumDisplay.asp?gamebutton=P3&datebutton=MONTH&startMonth=0&startDate=0&startYear=0000&endMonth=11&endDate=8&endYear=2008&Submit2=Submit

any numerologist see it ?

lol

I know, horoscope is a bunch of bs also.

[jazzjunkysue]

42. It was funny and she wasn't the president, so, too bad. She shouldn't have been making any

decisions, anyway.

If she didn't want to become part of the jokes, she should have stayed out of it.

[Darth_Kitten]

43. I got quite a chuckle out of it, so all hope is not lost......

:rofl:

[goforit]

44. LOL!!! Where is there any humor anymore?

[JerseygirlCT]

46. You can do the self-deprecating stuff - it's not very classy

to be funny as the president by turning it on someone else.

He did the right thing by apologizing. He's classier than that, and he showed it.

[ibegurpard]

47. Good

eom

[mondo joe]

50. Good for him. It was an unfortunate joke on his part.

I loathed Nancy Reagan as much as anyone. But at this point, she's a very elderly widow in frail health and the joke came of as man spirited.

But he did exactly what you ought to do when you make a mistake. Apologize.