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Summary Barack Obama says Washington feels as broken as it did four years ago when he took office.
He says hes most frustrated by the inability to change the atmosphere in the U.S. capital to reflect the decency and common sense of ordinary people who want their leaders to solve problems.Theres enough blame to go around for that, he told CBS TVs Sunday Morning.CBS Charlie Rose interviewed the president and first lady Michelle Obama at the White House on Thursday and has aired parts of the conversation on different network shows since then.Reflecting on more than 3 ½ years in office, Obama said, I think theres no doubt that I underestimated the degree to which in this town politics trump problem solving.On a lighter note, he said the White House will be a quieter place this summer because his daughters, 11-year-old Sasha and 14-year-old Malia, will be in sleep-away camp for a month. The president, meanwhile, will be campaigning for re-election, spending lots of time outside Washington.Were going to be experiencing the first stages of-empty nest syndrome, he said. Asked if hes prepared for that, the president said, Well, I get a little depressed.The first lady said the Obamas will find a way for family time, because any time the girls are out of school, thats important time for us to spend as a family. Were still parents where you have to juggle your time around when theyre free and summer time is that time.In a separate interview, taped Friday and released Sunday, the 50-year-old president said the food and unfamiliar mattresses are downsides of the campaign trail.When youre on the road, you end up eating a lot of stuff that tastes really good at the time but later on in the day can catch up with you, and Im now getting to the age where being in my own bed as opposed to some other bed, is not always great for my back, he told WJLA-TV in Washington.Obama also revealed, when asked what voters dont know about him, that he can cook a really mean chili, though his wife will claim that I havent cooked it for about 10 years, so I really shouldnt get too much credit for it.And one more: Im a surprisingly good pool player, so if you ever see me in a pool hall, dont just think that you can Dont walk up and throw down money is what youre saying? interviewer Scott Thurman asked.Thats what Im saying, the president said. I might end up cleaning your clock. Thats a possibility.
