President Obama pushed back against criticism earlier this week that he is too insular and not social enough in Washington. He said simply, "I like a good party."

Today, he reinforced the message.

Leaving a farewell reception at the Treasury Department for Secretary Timothy Geithner, Obama was asked "So, you like a good party?"

"They didn't serve any alcohol," Obama responded with a big grin, as he appeared to munch on something.

"Still on a budget," he quipped.

Speaking at a news conference Monday, Obama defended himself from the perception that he is aloof and antisocial. "I'm a pretty friendly guy," he said. "When I was in the Senate, I had great relationships over there, and up until the point that I became president, this was not an accusation that you heard very frequently."

"I think there are a lot of Republicans at this point that feel that, given how much energy has been devoted in some of the media that's preferred by Republican constituencies to demonize me, that it doesn't look real good socializing with me," he said.