President Obama is already thinking about when he will leave office and what he will miss most. And unlike all modern day presidents who cite Air Force One as their favorite perk, Obama said giving up Marine One will be the hardest.
White House Photo
During a GQ magazine interview, he addressed the presidential bennie he’ll loves.
Q: What perk of being president are you going to miss the most?
A: So the clear answer would be Air Force One: an amazing plane with an amazing crew, they clear out airspace so you don’t have to wait. And you land anytime, you leave anytime. But it may be Marine One, because even post presidency, I may be able to round up a private plane sometime, but it’s tough not to have your helicopter waiting for you.
White House Photo
On other issues:
He’s been smoke free for five years: “I made a promise that once health care passed, I would never have a cigarette again. And I have not.”
On where he ranks in the family: “There are clear rankings. Michelle. Malia and Sasha, they’re constantly wrestling for second place. I rank ahead of the dogs.”
On whose phone he’d answer on a date night: “Malia and Sasha. And maybe my mother-in-law. My national security adviser, Susan Rice, and Denis McDonough, my chief of staff.”
On having a driving range in the basement: “Yeah, I mean, this is not like some super-fancy thing. But I can hit these Wiffle balls.”
On owning an NBA team: “Absolutely. Well, you know, I know [Chicago Bulls owner Jerry] Reinsdorf pretty good—he’s not giving that thing up anytime soon. But I have fantasized about being able to put together a team and how much fun that would be. I think it’d be terrific.”
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
