Robert De Niro's "First Lady Joke"?!

[?anna?]

omg.yahoo.com/blogs/now/robert-niro-apologizes-michelle-obama-joke-235146206.html QUOTE:
Robert De Niro Apologizes for First Lady Joke at Obama Fundraiser
March 20, 2012
It looks like someone won't be invited to the White House any time soon. While hosting a benefit for President Barack Obama's reelection campaign in New York City on Monday night, Robert De Niro made a racial joke while introducing First Lady Michelle Obama. "Callista Gingrich. Karen Santorum. Ann Romney," the Oscar-winning actor began in front of an audience that included Beyonce, Whoopi Goldberg, and Harvey Weinstein. "Now do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady?"

Almost immediately, White House aides scrambled to make it clear that De Niro's comment "was inappropriate," said the First Lady's Campaign Press Secretary, Olivia Alair. Realizing his gaffe, the 68-year-old also publicly vetoed his "joke." In a statement to E! News on Tuesday, De Niro apologized, saying, "My remarks, although spoken with satirical jest, were not meant to offend or embarrass anyone, especially the first lady."

But the damage was already done. As expected, Obama's Republican rivals came out swinging in defense of their better halves — and for the "Meet the Fockers" star's racial remarks. "I do want to say one thing, both on behalf of my wife and on behalf of Karen Santorum and on behalf of Ann Romney, I think that Robert De Niro's wrong," said Newt Gingrich from the campaign trail. "I think the country is ready for a new first lady, and he doesn't have to describe it in racial terms." As for Rick Santorum, he merely dismissed De Niro's joke as nonsense coming from a Hollywood actor "spouting off as they do. The idea of looking at politics through eyes of race should be over … I don't know where he thinks he's coming from."

[Related: Robert De Niro Talks About His Role in 'Being Flynn' (Watch)]

Gingrich, not satisfied with De Niro's apology and the First Lady's condemnation of the remark, is now also calling for the President himself to offer a mea culpa on behalf of the actor. "It was at an Obama fundraiser," added Gingrich. "It is exactly wrong, it divides the country."

[Chris]

It only divides the country if you LET it divide the country...

[MissEm]

Eh. People get the whole idea that, somewhere in the constitution, it says something about them having the right not to be offended.

I agree with the above comment from Stickboy 110%.

[Ayen]

The fact this is even news, even being discussed by people campaigning for President is embarrassing. Guy made a bad joke, let leave it at that.

[Violet]

Really Fox and Gingrich? De Niro apologized, the First Lady's Campaign Press Secretary dismissed it. It was obvious it was ment to be a joke, no matter how inappropriate, considering the fact that Michelle Obama is the 1st black First Lady and the question stated in reverse 4 yrs ago. President Obama shouldn't have to apologize. It's not that big a deal.

[Renegade]

I don't think it was offensive at all. Every time someone from a new background takes office the media is full of "is the country ready for a _____ president?" questions, so their offense at someone saying the same thing in satire is pretty hypocritical.

Is the USA ready for a black president?

[Violet]

Mar 22, 2012 11:26:19 GMT -8 Renegade said:

I don't think it was offensive at all. Every time someone from a new background takes office the media is full of "is the country ready for a _____ president?" questions, so their offense at someone saying the same thing in satire is pretty hypocritical.

Is the USA ready for a black president?

My thoughts.