Congressman apologizes for criticizing Michelle Obama’s ‘large posterior’

Congressman apologizes for criticizing Michelle Obama’s ‘large posterior’
By Holly Baile

Senior Political Reporter


(Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

A Republican congressman from Wisconsin has offered a personal apology to First Lady Michelle Obama after he was overheard at an airport lounge criticizing her "large posterior." Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner was overheard loudly complaining on the phone in the Delta Lounge at Reagan National Airport outside Washington about Obama's healthy food initiative.

According to Fishbowl DC, which first reported the lawmaker's remarks, Sensenbrenner was recounting a recent conversation he'd had at church event in Wisconsin.

Obama, Sensenbrenner said loudly, "lectures us on eating right while she has a large posterior herself."

According to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel's Daniel Bice, Sensenbrenner made a similar remark at the Wisconsin church he was referencing in his phone call, telling attendees there that Obama has a "big butt."

The Wisconsin lawmaker—who, it must noted, is a bit rotund--sent a personal note to Obama apologizing for his remarks, his spokeswoman Amanda Infield tells Yahoo News. She declined to go into detail about what the note said.

In a statement to reporters, the lawmaker reiterated his apology. "I regret my inappropriate comment, and I have sent a personal note to the First Lady apologizing," he said.

A spokesman for Obama did not respond to a request for comment.

It's not the first time Republicans have mentioned Obama's looks in criticizing her campaign to end childhood obesity. Earlier this year, Rush Limbaugh trashed the initiative, suggesting Obama doesn't physically appear to practice what she preaches.



Wisconsin’s GOP Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R) has a beef (and a side of mash potatoes) (with extra butter) (tip your waitress) with First Lady Michelle Obama, particularly with her attempts to promote healthier eating and exercise habits.

According to a “Democratic operative” who shared his or her story with Fishbowl DC, Sensenbrenner, speaking loudly on his phone at Reagan National Airport’s Delta Crown lounge, relayed a story that happened following a church auction: After he’d bought a bunch of “crap,” a woman came up to Sensenbrenner and praised the First Lady, prompting him to muse that “she lectures us on eating right while she has a large posterior herself.”