Seance Snafu: Obama Apologizes to Reagan

President-Elect Barack Obama called former First Lady Nancy Reagan tonight to apologize for a crack that he made at his first President-Elect-ial press conference today. No word yet on whether Obama will apologize to all of the people who took short odds on Joe Biden to make the first post-election gaffe. Here's the miscue in question:



OK, first things first: you don't get to ask six questions at a time. Not cool. Maybe she injured her right arm not letting go of her turn.

Second of all, Barack Obama obviously needs to create and fill a cabinet level position for a Secretary of One-Liners. If a reporter asked me that, I'd go with, "I'm still waiting to talk to a living reporter," or "Well, can you really call what Bill Clinton does 'Living?' (pause for uncomfortable laughter) I kid Bill, he's a friend."

What I love most, though, is this bit from Ben Smith:

"President-elect Barack Obama called Nancy Reagan today to apologize for the careless and off handed remark he made during today's press conference," said transition spokeswoman Stephanie Cutter. "The President-elect expressed his admiration and affection for Mrs. Reagan that so many Americans share and they had a warm conversation."

He was apparently confusing stories about Reagan's consulting with an astrologer with those about other First Ladies -- from Mary Todd Lincoln to Hillary Clinton -- who tried to make contact with figures from the past.

So,it's a little bit like accusing someone of witchcraft, when they are actually practicing voodoo.

In all seriousness, though, Barack Obama should choose his quips more carefully. He isn't close to accumulating the post-partisan brownie points necessary to josh about the wife of the Republicans' most sacred figure.

Tommy Christopher co-hosts "Unusable Signal",on BlogTalkRadio, Tues through Thurs at 10pm, and Fri, and Sat at 11pm. (Eastern) Click here for the Unusable Signal homepage.