Obama to Work With Kids After Presidency, He Tells 'The View'
After his presidency is finished-whether it is this year or in 2016-President Barack Obama said today that he would like to work with kids in the next phase of his life.
Obama was asked during a taping of ABC's "The View" today in New York City what he sees himself doing after he is no longer president.
"Well, you know, first things first here," Obama said to laughter. "There's all kinds of things I want to do in the second term, uh, putting folks back to work, making sure our schools are up to snuff."
"And then?" Barbara Walters, host of the show, said.
"You know, in a post-presidency, the thing that I think I would enjoy most is spending time working with kids," Obama said. "I love teaching, I miss teaching, and you know, I'm not sure it would necessarily be in a classroom, but the idea of being able to go around in various cities and helping to create mentorships, and apprenticeships, giving young people the sense of possibility and opportunity, and using whatever spotlight I can shine to show how much incredible talent there is out there."
Obama said that one of the things he has most enjoyed about being president is meeting smart, energetic young people who have ideas for making a better world. He hopes to work with more young people after his term-or terms-are finished.
"So making sure that we're reaching all those kids and giving them a sense, here's what's possible to you, let's open up some doors for them, something along those lines, I think I'd really enjoy doing," Obama said.
Obama appeared on the show with his wife, Michelle Obama, who also discussed her plans. Both she and President Obama reiterated that she would not be making any bid for public office.
"She should run for office, but she says she doesn't want to," the president said.
"Yeah, no," the first lady said to laughter.
"I mean, Michelle would be terrific," the president said, "but temperamentally I just don't think…"
"No, it's absolutely true," Michelle continued. "It takes a lot of patience to be the president of the United States, and I'm not that patient."'
The first lady said that she enjoyed being able to hand-pick projects she's passionate about, and would continue focusing on helping veterans returning from war and their families in the coming years.
The full episode of "The View" will air Tuesday at 11 a.m. EST.