Obama takes a dig at Jessica Simpson?
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/02/02/art.simpsonj.gi.jpg caption="Some thought Obama took a dig at Jessica Simpson."](CNN) - Did Barack Obama take a dig at pop star Jessica Simpson?
A transcription error set the Internet abuzz Monday as viewers debated an off-hand presidential comment about the pop star.
The remark came at the end of the President Obama's interview with NBC Sunday, when interviewer Matt Lauer held up a copy of the latest US Magazine, which features first lady Michelle Obama along with daughters Sasha and Malia. On the left side of the cover was a picture of Simpson, whom the magazine said is in a "weight battle."
Lauer noted the magazine had replaced the president's spot in the family photo with the Simpson headline.
“You got replaced by Jessica Simpson,” Lauer said.
“Yeah, who’s losing a weight battle apparently,” Obama said, according to the network’s interview transcript, sparking a firestorm online. “Yeah. Oh, well.”
But the transcript misquoted the president who visibly only re-read the magazine’s headline that Lauer was holding up - “She’s in a ‘weight battle,’ apparently” - and did not say that Simpson was "losing" that fight.
In the future, the president may opt for safer, less controversial subjects — like government-funded contraception, or the U.S. relationship with Iran.
And just as soon as he said this, I knew the hypersensitive would jump all over this. Let's grow up, people.
I am sick and tired of this country and the media that is hiding behind the camera disrespecting the president......
He is American President. I watched what he was saying but he read the magazine title.....
Looks like the media can not wait for Obama to make a mistake...
Anyone who saw the interview, knows what he said.
people are stupid to think he really gives a about Jessica's weight
Oh be serious. He was clearly commenting on the magazine cover. Why do this? He is not Brangelina, so let's not play TMZ with him.
I love our President.
Very sad. He needs to look a little closer to home! We are all not perfect so no comment was necessary. Would he have said that if it had been someone of color?
It was clear that he was only reading the headline. I hope no one thought he took a jab at her. For the record I think she looks beautiful, women are supposed to have curves.
If you know the transcript was wrong, why are you using a misleading headline??? Is this a tabloid of news organization???
Now this is really stupid and a total waste. Can't you guys finds something better to report?
SERIOUSLY??? SERIOSLY......THIS IS NEWS TO YOU.....YOU GUYS REALLY NEED TO GET A LIFE.
I'm no fan of Jessica Simpson, but leave the woman alone. Most American women would be thrilled to be only as "fat" as Jessica Simpson.
Sorry folks, real men don't like stick-figure women. Catty, gay fashion designers do though, because they see women as walking flesh-based coat-hangers on which to display their fashions.
Now, as for Jessica's choice of unflattering "mom jeans" that day, well, I can't defend her on that one. Sorry lady.
Let's hear it for all the curvy women! 😉
Too funny...
He shouldn't be concerned... she's just a typical white sweetie
Makes you wonder about the people in charge of transcribing things for NBC. Pretty cute how they just made up and threw in a word Obama didn't even say, huh?
I find it amusing. I watched that interview. It was 100% meaningless. Just another Republican-leaning CNN article trying to blow something up out of nothing. More of the same. Sounds like something that would be on Campbell Brown's show.
This is HUGE!!
That wasn't a very Presidential comment.
C'mon, CNN – is this news? Why do you waste the bandwidth with a no news like this?
If he was so worried about looks he would take something for that little wormy body of his. Or be concerned about Michelle's hip's that apparently require their own zip code.
Lets see how many of you commenting really read the article.
It was a typo in the distributed transcripts, Obama actually just read the articles headline.
Watch everybody, see those that are mad and didn't read the article.
Don't you guys have anything better to report? No wonder you are losing money.
Wait – so how is anything Obama's fault? You're not going to start reporting on his presidency like you repoted on his candidacy, are you? You're not going to take every little thing and then twist and distort it to make it look bad for Obama, are you? He clearly read a headline and that was it. And then somebody misinterpreted that and then THAT became the story?!? And how is this Obama's fault?!? I got so tired of this kind of so-called reporting during the election. Please work harder and have a higher standard for the news stories that you cover.
He's human, there was a transcription error, she has gained weight (and still looks good as far as I am concerned). I doubt very seriously he said anything that was meant to hurt her. Let it go – let's work on the more important issues at hand.
really? i mean people will grab at anything..so sad people..he really is a good guy and you just can't stand it
Same old press. Haven't learned a thing have you!