President Obama at the Asia-Pacific Economic Corporation summit in China raised some eyebrows Tuesday morning, at least among members of the attending press pool and an observant Chinese blogger — for chewing gum at inappropriate times.
Mentioned in the middle of the press pool report, right after the reference that Mr. Obama “took his seat” and chatted with Marvin Nicholson — who “made him smile” — was this line: “[He] leaned back in his chair for the opening remarks. He was chewing his Nicorette, it seemed, but mostly hiding it.”
Shortly after, one in attendance — Jon Passantino — tweeted: “Obama chewing gum during APEC speeches?”
Just a short time earlier, the president came under fire from some in China for the same action — for stepping out of his car while obviously chewing on gum.
“We made this meeting so luxurious, with singing and dancing, but see Obama, stepping out of his car chewing gum like an idler,” wrote Yin Hong, a professor of journalism at Beijing’s Tsinghua University, USA Today reported.
USA Today also posted video on its Website of Mr. Obama clearly chewing gum while walking into one APEC event.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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