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Kamala Harris 'Best Looking Attorney General' Remark: Was Obama Sexist?

By Alexandra Ward | Friday, 05 April 2013 12:50 PM EDT

President Barack Obama's comments about California Attorney General Kamala Harris' looks Wednesday sparked a sharp divide on Twitter, with some calling the president sexist and others vehemently agreeing with his assessment.

"You have to be careful to, first of all, say (Kamala Harris) is brilliant and she is dedicated and she is tough, and she is exactly what you’d want in anybody who is administering the law, and making sure that everybody is getting a fair shake," Obama said of Harris Wednesday night at a fundraiser in San Francisco. "She also happens to be, by far, the best-looking attorney general in the country."

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People offended by Obama's comment took to Twitter to vent.

Hey Obama....you're dumb for talking about how good-looking Kamala Harris is. You're really dumb.
— O is for Odium (@RantingOwl) April 5, 2013

Men wondering why it's not ok to comment on a woman's looks whenever/whereever they want need to google "male privilege." Now.
— Zerlina Maxwell (@ZerlinaMaxwell) April 4, 2013

Radical change—a world where women can simply exist without comments about their appearance—requires radical action.
— Jamelle Bouie (@jbouie) April 4, 2013

Obama's comment about Kamala Harris is disgraceful and really terrible for workplace equality nymag.com/daily/intellig…
— Jonathan Chait (@jonathanchait) April 4, 2013

How sexist of him. | Obama: CA Atty Gen Kamala Harris. calling her "easy on the eyes...by far the best looking attorney general."
— Melissia (A) (@ProudoftheUSA) April 4, 2013

I hope Michelle gave him a good smack: Obama Calls Kamala Harris ‘Best Looking’ Attorney General abcn.ws/ZDLZEi (via @abc)
— Marisa Kashino (@MarisaKashino) April 5, 2013

Others, however, defended the president's remarks and even voiced their own opinions on Harris' looks.

President Obama describes Kamala Harris as "brilliant", "dedicated", "tough” & "good-looking" - therefore he disrespects women. Ok, got it!
— TheObamaDiary.com (@TheObamaDiary) April 4, 2013

EARTHSHATTERING BREAKING NEWS: Kamala Harris is good looking. A stunned nation awaits further developments.
— Remi(@RemNoSleep) April 5, 2013

People hating on Obama cause he said Kamala Harris is good looking? Is everybody going&@)%*< CRAZY?!?!? Can't say a woman looks good?
— EPIC (@Brazencross) April 5, 2013

Hey GOP lighten up. CA Attorney General Kamala Harris is good looking, so what! kamalaharris.org
— Carlos Sanz (@MrCharlieV) April 5, 2013

Appalled by the @washingtonpost article "analyzing" the President's comments on Kamala Harris' looks. She is good looking, get over it
— Aly Bullock (@alybullock) April 5, 2013