Politicscalifornia attorney general kamala harrisPoliticskamala harris obama

Obama Apologizes To Kamala Harris For 'Distraction' Created By 'Best-Looking' Comments

Obama Apologizes For Distracting Praise Of Kamala Harris
Open Image Modal
By 

Senior Politics Reporter, HuffPost

|

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama has apologized to California Attorney General Kamala Harris for "the distraction" he caused by calling her "by far the best-looking attorney general," White House press secretary Jay Carney said Friday.

The president called Harris on Thursday night to "apologize for the distraction created by his remarks," Carney said.

"He fully recognizes the challenges women continue to face in the workplace and that they should not be judged based on appearance," Carney said. "They're old friends. He certainly regretted that [his comments] caused a distraction."

The president caused quite a stir with his remarks, which he made during a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in Atherton, Calif. Numerous people in the media wondered aloud what he was thinking, with some calling his comments "stupid" and "sexist."

"Look, I'm a 68-year-old guy and I do notice, honestly, the way that women look sometimes. But you've got to learn to sort of keep your opinions to yourself," Democratic strategist James Carville said on MSNBC. "I doubt if he'll do it again."

Our 2024 Coverage Needs You

As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.

Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.

to keep our news free for all.

Support HuffPost

Before You Go

President Obama Drinking Beer
(01 of15)
Open Image Modal
President Barack Obama holds a beer during a visit to Gator's Dockside restaurant in Orlando, Florida, on September 8, 2012 during the first day of a 2-day bus tour across Florida. AFP PHOTOS/SAUL LOEB (credit:SAUL LOEB/AFP/GettyImages)
(02 of15)
Open Image Modal
Obama picks up a beer during a visit to Gator's Dockside restaurant in Orlando, Florida, September 8, 2012 during the first day of a 2-day bus tour across Florida. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (credit:SAUL LOEB/AFP/GettyImages)
(03 of15)
Open Image Modal
Obama gets a beer and a pork chop as he visits the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on August 13, 2012 during an unannounced stop on his three-day campaign bus tour. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON (credit:JIM WATSON/AFP/GettyImages)
(04 of15)
Open Image Modal
Obama has a beer with Mike Cunningham III and other workers at the beer stand at the Iowa State Fair, Monday, Aug. 13, 2012. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (credit:AP)
(05 of15)
Open Image Modal
Obama drinks a beer as he sits with his wife Michelle, daughter Malia, and Vice President Joe Biden, as the U.S. Senior Men's National Team and Brazil play during a pre-Olympic exhibition basketball game at the Verizon Center on July 16, 2012 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) (credit:Getty)
(06 of15)
Open Image Modal
Obama shares a beer with Suzanne Woods (R) and Jennifer Klanac (L) during at Ziggy's Pub and Restaurant Amherst, Ohio, July 5, 2012, during an unannounced visit while on a bus tour of Ohio and Pennslyvania. AFP PHOTO/Jim Watson (credit: JIM WATSON/AFP/GettyImages)
(07 of15)
Open Image Modal
Obama raises his glass while drinking Guinness at The Dubliner pub on March 17, 2012 in Washington. Obama went to the bar to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (credit:BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
(08 of15)
Open Image Modal
Obama drinks a Guinness beer at The Dubliner pub on March 17, 2012 in Washington. AFP PHOTO/Brendan SMIALOWSKI (credit:BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
(09 of15)
Open Image Modal
Obama holds up a bottle of beer as he delivers a case of White House brewed beer to the fire fighters at Fire Station No. 14, during an unscheduled stop, Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2012, in Norfolk, Va. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais) (credit:AP)
(10 of15)
Open Image Modal
In this July 16, 2012 file photo, Obama sips his beer as he watches Team USA and Brazil during the first half of an Olympic men's exhibition basketball game, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) (credit:AP)
(11 of15)
Open Image Modal
In this July 5, 2012 file photo, Obama has a beer as he talks with patrons as he stops for a beer at Ziggy's Pub and Restaurant in Amherst, Ohio. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File) (credit:AP)
Barack Obama(12 of15)
Open Image Modal
Obama stops for a beer at The Pump House, a pub and grill, Tuesday, Aug. 14, 2012, in Cedar Falls, Iowa, during a three day campaign bus tour through Iowa. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster) (credit:AP)
(13 of15)
Open Image Modal
Obama clinks beer glasses with unemployed construction workers as they sit down for a discussion at the Harp and Celt Restaurant and Irish Pub in Orlando, Florida, October 11, 2011. AFP PHOTO / Saul LOEB (credit:SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
(14 of15)
Open Image Modal
The Obamas sip Guinness at a pub as they visit Moneygall village in rural County Offaly, Ireland, where the President's great-great-great grandfather Falmouth Kearney hailed from, on May 23, 2011. Obama landed in Ireland on May 23, 2011 for a visit celebrating his ancestral roots, kicking off a four-nation European tour. AFP PHOTO/ JEWEL SAMAD (credit:GettyJEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
(15 of15)
Open Image Modal
In this July 30, 2009 file photo, Obama and Vice President Joe Biden have a beer with Harvard scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr., second from left, and Cambridge, Mass., police Sgt. James Crowley in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) (credit:AP)
Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip