President Obama: Is the 'coolest president' a cool dad?

Christian Science Monitor

Michelle Toh 

Growing up in the White House can’t be easy. Since Barack Obama became president, his daughters Sasha and Malia have fallen under scrutiny for practically everything, from what they wore at Thanksgiving at the White House to how generously they tip.Politics aside, President Obama has been lauded as America’s most affable and "coolest president ever," in tune with pop culture in ways that charm audiences and even let him offer gentle comedy every now and again. He takes selfies and says "YOLO."He’s appeared on "Between Two Ferns" and "Saturday Night Live.” He’s even done aReddit Q&A and filled in for talk show host Stephen Colbert to make fun of himself. It goes on and on.

But like any other teens, Sasha and Malia may just be too cool for him. Far from basking in the presidential spotlight, they’ve told First Lady Michelle Obama in the past they sometimes dislike the fanfare accompanying their parents, particularly when it comes to parent-teacher conferences at school, reports The Daily Mail.

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They invite their friends to hang out with them and their dad. Instead of using their private White House movie theater, they prefer going out to the movies. This summer, Malia is interning, not for a politician, but on the set of HBO’s hit television show "Girls." 

"Now, unfortunately, they're hitting the age where they still love me, but they think I'm completely boring. And so they'll come in, pat me on the head, talk to me for 10 minutes, and then they're gone all weekend," Obama said to Marc Maron on a podcast interview in June. "They break my heart!" 

While President Obama has said that his daughters at times find him "embarrassing," many have praised him as a "cool dad," some even going so far as to say they wish Obama were their father.

Why is Obama so cool. Can he be my dad— Sophie (@selli_ott) July 2, 2015

New York City is getting another glimpse of the Dad-in-Chief this weekend, as he and Sasha flew in from the White House Friday with some of her friends to join Malia, interning in the city. After grabbing dinner at an Italian restaurant in Greenwich Village, they enjoyed a private after-hours tour at the Whitney Museum of American Art.

On Saturday, the Obamas visited Broadway to see "Hamilton," a hip-hop musical.

The whirlwind trip is prompting speculation as to where the Obama family might settle after leaving the White House, reported The Associated Press. New York City is thought to be high on the family’s list. Malia, a rising high school senior, has visited a number of New York colleges, including NYU, Barnard College, and her father's alma mater, Columbia University.

"The truth is, the girls are wonderful," Obamasaid last month. "They work hard.... Most importantly, they’re kind."

"I try to not give them too much cause for embarrassment," he added.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/president-obama-coolest-president-cool-dad-185330323.html