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Presidential rejection: Obama turned down on Kiss Cam

By Scott Gleeson, USA TODAY
Updated

President Obama  was in attendance at Monday's tune-up games for the U.S. men's and women's basketball teams vs. Brazil.

Obama, an avid hoops fan, has invited many of the star players over to the White House for scrimmages and players have complimented the president's game.

But after the "Kiss Cam" caught Obama and first lady Michelle Obama in the first half of the men's game, it looks like Obama's other "game" might need some work.

The Obamas were shown cuddling on the Jumbotron during the first half, but when the "Kiss Cam" promotional display came up, the president missed it. The audience then booed when the first lady wouldn't kiss the president, WHO appeared to lean in for a kiss to please the crowd.

In the fourth quarter, Obama got his shot at redemption as the couple shared a crowd-pleasing kiss to alleviate the first-half fail.

After the U.S. women's team took care of business in a 99-67 win over Brazil in the first game of the Team USA doubleheader, Obama visited with the team members. WNBA star Candace Parker was most pleased with the president's "swag."

"It was cool we got to talk with him. We always talk about how much swag he has," Parker said jokingly. "He walks in the room, he's got his collar popped. I think he has the most swag ever as president.

"He knew everybody, said hi, he said thank you for being role models for his daughters. He said Michelle Obama is going to be there for the opening ceremony. It was a great honor to meet the president again. He remembered my daughter's name, told me to tell her hi. She's three, so I don't know if she'll remember."

Other women's players loved the president's support, as well.

"With the president we talked a little healthcare, tax breaks," Diana Taurasi joked.

"That was the first time I had ever met him, so that was pretty cool," said Lindsay Whalen, who had a breakout game with Sue Bird out. "What he said? He just said represent the country well and make us proud. I'll take that to heart."

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