The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also reports Sensenbrenner referred to Michelle Obama’s “big butt” while talking to church members at St. Aidan’s Episcopal Church in Hartford earlier this month. A church member told the newspaper the 16-term congressman was speaking about the First Lady’s efforts to combat childhood obesity, and added, “And look at her big butt.”
This is a woman whose 4 a.m. daily workouts have been documented, whose chiseled biceps have been widely discussed in the national news. What exactly does the size of her booty have to do with getting kids in shape? And why is Sensenbrenner so dang concerned with her First Lady lumps that he’s mentioned them at least twice? Is Sensenbrenner as fascinated as President Obama. who has been caught multiple times appreciatively taking in the view?
Newsflash: the worldwide standard of booty-beauty is not a Pippa Middleton, whose small, pert backside has been the reigning obsession of British men since the most recent royal wedding. Hang on to your comb-overs, gents, some folks find a full bottom… (gasp!) beautiful, a highly prized attribute, even.
Anyway… since both stories hit the news, Sensenbrenner’s press secretary says the Republican sent the first lady a personal note, and released a statement Thursday saying he regrets his “inappropriate comment.”
This isn’t the first time Mrs. Obama’s frame has come under scrutiny, despite her obviously fit shape. In February, Rush Limbaugh took a shot at Mrs. Obama, calling her a “hypocrite” after she was seen enjoying a high calorie meal of ribs.
“It doesn’t look like Michelle Obama follows her own nutritionary, dietary advice,” Limbaaugh added. “I’m trying to say that our First Lady does not project the image of women that you might see on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue or of a woman Alex Rodriguez might date every six months or what have you.”
I’m baffled that Limbaugh thinks a professional model or A-list actress, likely in her 20s, is the standard of beauty that any mother of two is supposed to uphold. Can he not see that Mrs. Obama is wonderfully shaped for her age, or for that matter, any age? And why does a woman have to be built like a cover model to have a very valid concern over the weight of American children when, according to Kidshealth.org, one in three children is considered obese or overweight?
I know it’s election time, and there are more cheap shots to come at the expense of America’s first Black First Lady, but I need the Republican opposition to focus on the issues and policies that actually matter, instead of distracting convos like the size of Mrs. O’s very fit tush.
What do you think of politicos who take shots at Mrs. Obama’s weight?
Demetria L. Lucas is the author of “A Belle in Brooklyn: The Go-to Girl for Advice on Living Your Best Single Life” (Atria) in stores now. Follow her on Twitter @abelleinbk