Barack Obama issued his first presidential apology after cracking a joke about former First Lady Nancy Reagan in his first press conference since winning the election.

In the presser, Obama was asked if he has spoken with any living former presidents. Obama used the question to take a shot at the widowed 87-year old Mrs. Reagan.  "I didn't want to get into a Nancy Reagan thing about, you know, doing any seances," he quipped.

The joke didn't go over well.

Obama "Spokesperson" Stephanie Cutter issued a statement to say, "President-elect Barack Obama called Nancy Reagan today to apologize for the careless and off-handed remark he made during today's press conference. The President-elect expressed his admiration and affection for Mrs. Reagan that so many Americans share and they had a warm conversation.