On Saturday, Senate Majority Leader Henry Reid apologized to President Barack Obama for all the comments he made during the 2008 presidential campaign which the critics have deemed as racially offensive.

As per a newly released book about the campaign, "Game Change", authored collectively by Time magazine reporter Mark Halperin and New York magazine writer John Heileman, Mr. Reid, in private conversations, had described Mr. Obama as "light skinned" and with "no Negro dialect".

Both Mr. Reid and President Obama are Democrats.

"I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words. I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans, especially African Americans for my improper comments", Mr. Reid said.

70 year old Mr. Redi has stressed that he has been a "proud and enthusiastic" support of President Obama and has, all throughout his career, worked towards promoting diversity in his home state of Nevada, as well as in the Senate.

According to a statement issued by the President, he has accepted the apology. "Harry Reid called me today and apologized for an unfortunate comment reported today. I accepted Harry's apology without question because I've known him for years, I've seen the passionate leadership he's shown on issues of social justice and I know what's in his heart", he said.