Obama Wastes No Time Making First Gaffe

President-elect calls Nancy Reagan to apologize for dig

President-elect Barack Obama's career was launched by his soaring oratory. So it's only natural that he found himself making apologies for comments made during his very first press conference since winning the presidential election.

After meeting with his economic team, Obama addressed a throng of reporters, one of whom asked if he had consulted with any former presidents.

"I have 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," said Obama.

The remark was a goof on the former first lady's penchant for consulting an astrologer during her husband's administration.

Though the joke got a laugh from the press, Obama recognized it as unfair to Mrs. Reagan. He later called her to apologize for the remark, said spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter, who characterized it as "careless and offhanded."

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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