US President-elect Barack Obama apologised to former first lady
Nancy Reagan for making a quip about her doing
séances.
"President-elect Barack Obama called Nancy Reagan today to
apologise for the careless and off-handed remark he made during
today's press conference," said Obama spokeswoman Stephanie
Cutter.
"The President-elect expressed his admiration and affection for
Mrr. Reagan that so many Americans share and they had a warm
conversation," Cutter said in a statement.
Earlier on Friday at his first news conference since sweeping to
victory in Tuesday's election, Obama was asked if he had consulted
past presidents for guidance.
"I've spoken to all of them that are living," he said.
When some members of the media started to laugh, he added: "I
didn't want to get into a Nancy Reagan thing about, you know, doing
any séances."
President Ronald Reagan's wife was ridiculed when it was reported
in 1988 that she routinely consulted an astrologer when planning
her husband's schedule.
Senator Hillary Clinton, when her husband was president, was
reported to have had imaginary conversations with Eleanor Roosevelt
at the suggestion of spiritual adviser Jean Houston.
After making the séance comment, Obama said in addition to
speaking to all the living past presidents he had also re-read some
of President Abraham Lincoln's writings.
His wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, was said to have held regular
séances at the White House.
