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| Obama sorry for remarks about California's Kamala Harris | Obama sorry for remarks about California's Kamala Harris |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| President Barack Obama has apologised to the California attorney general, for remarking on her looks during a fundraising trip. Jay Carney, the White House spokesman, said Obama did not want to "diminish the accomplishments and capabilities" of Kamala Harris, an old friend. | President Barack Obama has apologised to the California attorney general, for remarking on her looks during a fundraising trip. Jay Carney, the White House spokesman, said Obama did not want to "diminish the accomplishments and capabilities" of Kamala Harris, an old friend. |
| At the fundraiser, Obama said Harris was "by far the best-looking attorney general in the country" and referred to her as "brilliant", "dedicated", "tough" and "exactly what you'd want in anybody who is administering the law". | At the fundraiser, Obama said Harris was "by far the best-looking attorney general in the country" and referred to her as "brilliant", "dedicated", "tough" and "exactly what you'd want in anybody who is administering the law". |
| Carney said Obama apologized for creating the distraction. "They are old friends, and good friends, and he did not in any way want to diminish the attorney general's accomplishments and capabilities," 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 Obama apologized for creating the distraction. "They are old friends, and good friends, and he did not in any way want to diminish the attorney general's accomplishments and capabilities," Carney said. "He fully recognizes the challenges women continue to face in the workplace, and that they should not be judged based on appearance." |
| Commentators from both sides of the aisle had objected to Obama's statement, which came during his remarks at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser on Thursday in Atherton, California. Harris recently gained prominence due to her role in orchestrating a $25bn settlement between states and banks over illegal shortcuts in foreclosures. | Commentators from both sides of the aisle had objected to Obama's statement, which came during his remarks at a Democratic National Committee fundraiser on Thursday in Atherton, California. Harris recently gained prominence due to her role in orchestrating a $25bn settlement between states and banks over illegal shortcuts in foreclosures. |
| Carney said Obama believes Harris did an "excellent job" on the issue. | Carney said Obama believes Harris did an "excellent job" on the issue. |
| Reuters in Washington contributed to this report. | Reuters in Washington contributed to this report. |
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