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Berlusconi Adds Michelle to His 'Tan Obama' Dig

'Even his wife is suntanned,' Italian leader chuckles

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 29, 2009 2:35 AM CDT

(Newser) – Daffy Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi thought his first joke about President Obama being "tan" was so funny he repeated it —and this time included Michelle in the fun.  "I bring greetings from a man, what's his name? Some tanned guy—Barack Obama," Berlusconi said at a rally after returning from the G20 meeting in Pittsburgh. "You won't believe it, but the two of them sunbathe together because even his wife is tanned."

 L'Unita newspaper complained that the "racist gaffe makes us look ridiculous before the whole world," reports Reuters. Berlusconi first referred to President Obama as "tan" last year, sparking a storm. The Italian press noted that while Michelle Obama kissed and hugged other world leaders in Pittsburgh, she appeared cool to Berlusconi. She merely took his hand from an arm's-length away—even though the prime minister raised his arms, anticipating an embrace.

Michelle Obama shakes Silvio Berlusconi's hand from a distance as he arrives at the G20 summit in Pittsburgh.
Michelle Obama shakes Silvio Berlusconi's hand from a distance as he arrives at the G20 summit in Pittsburgh.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi at a rally in Milan.
Italian premier Silvio Berlusconi at a rally in Milan.   (AP Photo/Alberto Pellaschiar)
Pope Benedict XVI is escorted by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi as he leaves for the Czech Republic from Rome last week.
Pope Benedict XVI is escorted by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi as he leaves for the Czech Republic from Rome last week.   (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi addresses the United Nations last week.
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi addresses the United Nations last week.   (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 6 comments
e-berlin.org
Jun 2, 2010 6:24 PM CDT
How long it'll take for people to understand they should not vote for morons?
jagerhans
Sep 29, 2009 12:36 PM CDT
no , someone should call a coupla hard, pipe-hittin' niggers, who'll go to work on mr. berlusconi with a pair of pliers and a blow torch. (quote from pulp fiction)
jagerhans
Sep 29, 2009 12:31 PM CDT
this is true but the real blame is to be put on the so-called 'left wing' that never made SHIT to pry from his hands all those extra TV channels he owned unlawfully or the newspapers that he literally STOLE from the owner by bribing judges. Instead, everyone, even his 'enemies' PROTECTED HIM like if he were some kind of saint. this is our tragedy, that it seems there is a kind of plot to keep it up , or else he has the cards to blackmail everyone, but either way he is a national calamity way more serious and destructive that all the earthquakes of the last 200 years.

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