Obama: Augusta National should allow women

The Masters is under way and whether the CEO of IBM, a woman, will be admitted to the exclusive gold club is a hot topic, not just in Augusta, but in Washington.

President Obama “believes — his personal opinion is that women should be admitted,” White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

The full exchange is below:

Q One other question. Today is the opening round of the Augusta Masters, and the question of whether the all-male Augusta National Golf Club should admit women refuses to go away. Of course, tomorrow is — the White House is hosting a conference on women and the economy. What’s the White House stand on this? Should the Augusta National Club admit women to become members, especially now that you’ve got the CEO of a longstanding sponsor of the Masters, IBM, is a woman, and her predecessors have all been admitted?

MR. CARNEY: Well, the President’s answer to this question is yes. He believes — his personal opinion is that women should be admitted.

Q Do you think we’ll be hearing him stating that before Friday?

MR. CARNEY: Well, I don’t know that — I happened to have a discussion with him about this, so I know that that’s his answer. But it’s obviously up to the club to decide. But his personal opinion is that women should be admitted to the club.