White House denies Michelle Obama made 'hell' comment

WASHINGTON - The White House is denying that Michelle Obama ever described her White House life as "hell."

Obama's spokeswoman, Katie McCormick Lelyveld, responded yesterday to a purported comment attributed to her in a forthcoming book, "Carla and the Ambitious," about Carla Bruni-Sarkozy. The book says France's first lady recalled that during a White House visit with her husband, President Nicolas Sarkozy, she asked Obama about her role. According to the book, Mrs. Obama replied: "It's hell. I can't stand it."

The French Embassy also released a statement denying she ever said those words. The embassy says Bruni-Sarkozy "distances herself completely" from the book, due out today. - AP