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U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) has written a formal apology to first lady Michelle Obama for disparaging her appearance during a recent chat at a Hartford church.

"I regret my inappropriate comment and I have sent a personal note to the First Lady apologizing," Sensenbrenner said in a statement Thursday. His office declined to release the letter.

The veteran congressman made reference to Michelle Obama's "big butt" while talking to a group of church members at a Christmas bazaar at St. Aidan's Episcopal Church in Hartford earlier this month. He was suggesting it was hypocritical for her to launch a national campaign to combat obesity.

Perhaps Sensenbrenner - who was accompanied by an aide - assumed it was safe to crack wise about the first lady's posterior in such a heavily Republican area.

But, as the old saying goes, this is what happens when you assume.

Ann Marsh-Meigs, a church member who heard Sensenbrenner's remarks, said he took several swipes at the first lady on Dec. 10. In one, Marsh-Meigs said, the congressman claimed Michelle Obama left a recent charitable event when the media did, though Sensenbrenner's handicapped wife continued to work.

"He then talked about how different first ladies have had different projects - Laura Bush and literacy - and he named two or three others," Marsh-Meigs said in an interview last week. "And then he said, 'And Michelle Obama, her project is obesity. And look at her big butt.'

"That's basically what he said," she continued. "It was a combination of her work on obesity and her shape."

The remark stunned the five congregants, according to Marsh-Meigs, who was the only woman at the table where the conversation occurred.

She said she believes Sensenbrenner might have thought she wasn't paying attention because she was busy knitting.

"I was sitting next to him, and I felt he should be called on it," said the 72-year-old retiree. "I just said, 'I just happen to think Michelle Obama is a beautiful and elegant lady, and I think she dresses beautifully.' And then he said, 'Oh, well, I think she's elegant, too.' He just started backpedaling."

And he is now backpedaling even more.

On Wednesday, No Quarter contacted Sensenbrenner's office to get his version of what was said at the church function.

Shortly thereafter, the longtime Menomonee Falls representative was overheard on a cellphone at Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., discussing a recent incident at an Episcopalian "church auction," according to Media Bistro.

Its story said:

"Our source, a Democratic operative who heard the whole thing, said he was 'very loud.' Sensenbrenner was overheard saying that after buying all their 'crap' (his word) a woman approached him and praised first lady Michelle Obama. He told the woman that Michelle should practice what she preaches - 'she lectures us on eating right while she has a large posterior herself.'

"The operative said it sounded like he was on the phone with a staffer who was telling him that someone in the media would likely write about his comments (concerning something) to which he said it was heresy (sic) and just liberal media bias to print gossip. But 'he stands by his remarks.' "

This account - which differs somewhat from the version given by the eyewitness - now is circulating online in media circles and lefty blogs.

Amanda Infield, spokeswoman for Sensenbrenner, said today that she didn't know whom her boss was talking to while at the airport or the nature of the conversation.

"Mr. Sensenbrenner was referring to the first lady's healthy food initiative," Infield said in a statement. "He doesn't think the government should be telling Americans what to eat. While he may not agree with all of her initiatives, he plans to contact the first lady's office to apologize for his comments."

The first lady's office did not respond to a request for comment.

Sensenbrenner's colleague, U.S. Rep. Gwen Moore, blasted him for the remarks, calling them "distasteful and demeaning."

"His comments were inappropriate and have no place in our public discourse," said Moore, a Milwaukee Democrat. "I am pleased that he has apologized to the first lady and I would hope that he and all of my colleagues would use better judgment when making comments in the future."

Others aren't ready to put the issue behind them.

Micki Hoffmann, a 65-year-old retired English teacher and member at St. Aidan's, said she was unimpressed with Sensenbrenner's apology.

"It's weak," Hoffmann said.

Hoffmann said she had no problem with Sensenbrenner disagreeing with the first lady on policy issues. That, Hoffmann said, is all well and fine.

"What made us angry were his remarks about her body image - not her policies or positions - but her person," the Hartford resident said.

Hoffmann said she is asking for an apology from Sensenbrenner to the members at St. Aidan's.

But it appears that's not going to happen.

Asked if 16-term House member would be expanding his apology to include the church, Infield again pointed to the public apology that Sensenbrenner had already issued.

Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 224-2135 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @ NoQuarterr.