WASHINGTON — Far from Washington as he hosts Asian leaders, golfs, and parties with top studio talent in California, President Obama says life in the nation’s capital can be a downer.
“It’s always good to get out of Washington, which can sometimes be a little depressing,” Obama told talk host Ellen DeGeneres on a show that aired Friday.
When DeGeneres asked him what part is depressing, Obama responded: “Well, Washington … I’m kinda not kidding.”
As he watches presidential candidates go at each other on the campaign trail, Obama says he doesn’t wish he was still out on the hustings.
“I don’t miss it,” he said.
Obama stopped by DeGeneres’ studio at the Warner Brothers lot on a day when he also attended a fundraiser at the home of “Star Wars” director J.J. Abrams, and got serenaded by singer John Legend at another event.
On the road, he’ll be away from first lady Michelle Obama for Valentine’s Day — who nevertheless found a way to connect by reading him a Valentine poem by video on the show.
“Roses are red, violets are blue. You are the president, and I am your Boo,” she said, to coos of approval from the studio audience.
Then she quipped: “I wrote that while I was doing 100 push-ups this morning.”
“You’re the only person I’d share my husband with on Valentine’s Day,” she told Ellen — before putting in a request for See’s Candy chocolate from her husband. “You know what you need to do,” she told him.
Obama responded with his own long-distance Valentine, which sounded like a racy Barry White song.
“Somebody call the situation room, because things are about to get hot,” Obama said, surrounded by red roses with some musical accompaniment — though he never broke into song.
“Michelle, this Valentine’s Day I’m gonna treat you right. I’m gonna make you some zucchini bread. Then I’ll spread out some veggies on a plate, just the way you like them,” he told his far-away spouse.
“Then I’m gonna give you a massage while you watch … Ellen’s design challenge on HGTV,” he joked.
“Because I love you so much, I ObamaCare about you more than you even know,” Obama told her.
The president flies to Palm Springs on Friday. He’ll meet with world leaders during a summit at the Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, but there is plenty of time for weekend golf.