President Barack Obama took to the couch of ABC's The View Wednesday for an interview that aired today, addressing a wide range of issues from Chelsea Clinton's wedding (he wasn't invited) to the war in Afghanistan (it's "tough"). While some had criticized the Obama's unprecedented decision to participate in a daytime talk show, he jokily justified the move: "I was trying to find a show that [First Lady] Michelle actually watched," he said, sparking applause. Did Obama's appearance help him reach a new audience — or merely denigrate the country's highest office? (Watch the best moments from Obama's appearance.)
Good as it could be: Obama was "predictably charming," says Daniel Stone in Newsweek. Though the questions often drifted into pop-culture territory, "it wasn't all fluff." Obama sparred with conservative co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck over his job-creation policies, and openly discussed the oil spill, Afghanistan, and the firing of Shirley Sherrod. Was it "a net gain for the White House"? Tough call. "But it’s hard to see how Obama lost any ground...."
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