De Niro apologizes for first lady joke

Actor Robert De Niro has apologized for a joke with racial overtones he made at a New York fundraiser for President Barack Obama\'s re-election campaign. \"Callista Gingrich. Karen Santorum. Ann Romney,\" The Hollywood Reporter quoted De Niro as saying during his opening remarks at Monday night\'s $5,000-a-plate event, which Obama\'s wife, Michelle attended. \"Now do you really think our country is ready for a white first lady?\" CNN reported Obama\'s campaign press secretary Olivia Alair called the joke \"inappropriate\" Tuesday. De Niro later issued a statement explaining he was trying to make a joke and never meant to offend anyone. \"My remarks, although spoken with satirical jest, were not meant to offend or embarrass anyone -- especially the first lady,\" the 68-year-old \"Raging Bull\" and \"Meet the Parents\" star said.