U.S. President Barack Obama spent some time on the couch Thursday, but he wasn't relaxing. Instead, Obama sat on the custard-coloured couch seen by millions each day on the set of the daytime talk show "The View."
While Obama managed to charm his guests, including veteran broadcast personalities like Whoopi Goldberg and Barbara Walters, he also used carefully chosen words to defend his first year-and-half in office.
Obama has appeared on the show twice before, but not since taking office. In fact, the show's producers had been trumpeting the episode as the first-ever presidential appearance on a U.S. daytime talk show.
While some labeled the appearance as a cheap way to charm female voters amid falling electorate fortunes, boosters said Obama's chat reflects the growing importance of daytime gab-fests like "The View."
Clearly, Obama was admired by his guests, and he answered several light-hearted questions about pop culture topics like TV show "Jersey Shore" and singer Justin Bieber, who performed at the White House recently.
But it wasn't all small talk, as Obama was quizzed on the recent departure of Shirley Sherrod, a U.S. government agriculture official who was sacked after a quote on race relations was taken out of context.
"What I do think happened in that situation is that a 24/7 media cycle that is always looking for controversy and oftentimes doesn't get to the facts first generated a phony controversy," Obama said.
"A lot of people overreacted, including people in my administration. And part of the lesson that I want everyone to draw is, let's not assume the worst of other people but let's assume the best. Let's make sure we get the fact straight before we act."
There were lighter moments, too, including a question about Chelsea Clinton's wedding.
"I was not invited because I think Hillary and Bill properly want to keep this as a thing for Chelsea and her soon-to-be husband," said Obama, adding a quip about his two daughters.
"And I'm letting you guys know now, y'all probably will not be invited to Malia's wedding or Sasha's wedding."
When Walters asked if his daughters were befriending any male admirers, Obama quickly replied: "Thankfully, no."
