Obama Telepon Jaksa Agung California Minta Maaf atas Komentarnya
Obama Calls California Attorney General to Apologize for Comment
Editor : Heru S Winarno
Translator : Parulian Manalu
 b.jpg)
Washington (B2B) - Presiden Amerika Serikat Barack Obama, Kamis malam, menelepon Jaksa Agung California Kamala Harris untuk menyampaikan permohonan maaf karena telah menyebutnya sebagai "sejauh ini adalah jaksa agung paling menarik di negara ini" ketika melakukan kunjungan dalam rangka penggalangan dana, kata juru bicara Gedung Putih Jay Carney.
"Keduanya merupakan teman lama, teman baik dan beliau (Obama, red) sama sekali tidak berniat mengecilkan pencapaian-pencapaian serta kemampuan jaksa agung (Kamala Harris, red)," kata Carney seperti dikutip WashintonPost.
Sejumlah orang dari kedua belah pihak telah menyatakan keberatan terhadap penuturan yang dikeluarkan Obama itu ketika ia menyampaikan pidato pada penggalangan dana Komite Nasional Demokrat pada Kamis di Atherton, California.
Dalam acara penggalangan dana itu, Obama menyebut Kamala sebagai sosok yang "brilian," "berdedikasi" "tangguh" dan "tentunya yang kita semua inginkan yang mengelola hukum" sebelum merujuk pada penampilan Kamala.
Carney mengatakan Obama meminta maaf karena mengacaukan perhatian.
"Beliau (Obama, red) secara penuh penyadari tantangan-tantangan yang terus dihadapi para perempuan di tempat kerja, dan bahwa mereka tidak boleh dinilai berdasarkan penampilan mereka," kata Carney.
Peranan Kamala baru-baru ini menonjol dalam mengatur penyelesaian senilai US$25 miliar (Rp243,6 triliun) antara negara dan bank menyangkut jalan pintas ilegal dalam hal penyitaan. Carney mengatakan Obama meyakini bahwa Kamala telah melakukan tugas tersebut dengan sangat baik.
Washington - President Barack Obama called California Attorney General Kamala Harris Thursday night to apologize for calling her "by far the best-looking attorney general in the country" during a fundraising trip, White House spokesman Jay Carney said.
"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.
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.
At the fundraiser, Obama referred to Harris as "brilliant," "dedicated," "tough," and "exactly what you´d want in anybody who is administering the law" before referring to her appearance.
Carney said Obama apologized for creating the distraction.
"He fully recognizes the challenges women continue to face in the workplace, and that they should not be judged based on appearance," Carney said.
Harris recently gained prominence due to her role in orchestrating a $25 billion settlement between states and banks over illegal shortcuts in foreclosures. Carney said Obama believes Harris did an "excellent job" on the issue.
