Opinion: President-elect Obama’s first gaffe: A slap at Nancy Reagan

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

In a hasty and wise bit of damage control, president-elect Barack Obama quickly telephoned former First Lady Nancy Reagan this afternoon to apologize for ‘a careless and offhanded remark’ he made about her this morning during his first post-election news conference.

Obama was asked how he was preparing to take over the White House, what books he’s reading, if he’d talked to any ex-presidents. He replied:

‘In terms of speaking to former presidents, I’ve spoken to all of them that are living. Obviously, President Clinton -- I didn’t want to get into a Nancy Reagan thing about, you know, doing any seances.’

The passing reference to the former First Lady’s alleged interest in horoscopes struck some observers as a gratuitous slap at an old lady at a time Obama was trying to set a positive, professed bipartisan tone for his transition.

The Obama press office received numerous inquiries for explanation and reaction. And this afternoon issued the following statement:

‘“President-elect Barack Obama called Nancy Reagan today to apologize for the careless and off-handed remark he made during today’s press conference.

‘The President-elect expressed his admiration and affection for Mrs. Reagan that so many Americans share and they had a warm conversation,” said President-elect Obama Transition Team Spokesperson Stephanie Cutter.’

A complete transcript -- and full video -- of Obama’s first news conference as president-elect is available here. The complete news conference video is also viewable by clicking on the Read more line below here.

--Andrew Malcolm

Don’t forget: If you’re hopelessly interested in the politics of the first new administration in 8 years and a new Congress: Get alerts sent to your cellphone of each new Ticket item on the presidential winner, his new administration, the new Congress and all things political. Go here to register.