Byron Tau, of the Politico perceived this statement made by Obama at a Los Angeles LGBT Leadership Council fundraiser in Beverley Hills on Wednesday night, as a joke.
From the Pool Report:
“Michelle outdoes me in pushups as well,” he said, after saying that she’s taken some criticism on her technique “because she doesn’t go all the way down” – a line that he let hang, naughtily, provoking laughter from the crowd.”
Obama quote from the transcript given at the Guardian: by Oliver Burkeman
“I want to thank my wonderful friend [Ellen DeGeneres] who accepts a little bit of teasing about Michelle beating her in pushups – (laughter) – but I think she claims Michelle didn’t go all the way down. (Laughter.) That’s what I heard. I just want to set the record straight – Michelle outdoes me in pushups as well. (Laughter.) So she shouldn’t feel bad. She’s an extraordinary talent and she’s just a dear, dear friend – Ellen DeGeneres. Give Ellen a big round of applause.”
Mr Burkeman appeared to think that the remark was not intended to be nasty, and that Americans are dirty minded. However, the Politico is a news organ of the WhiteHouse, and it is the vehicle by which this little gaffe was brought to our attention.
Buzzfeed votes with Politico on the matter, and the world is aTwitter with the news.
Obama needs to stick with his teleprompter. Every verbal blunder and misstep is going to be magnified from now until November.
Update: a video of the double entendre is below, along with Obama media apologists trying to take back what the Politico initially presented.