When David Letterman asked President Obama Wednesday if racism was to blame for the harsh political rhetoric of late, the president deflected the question with this savvy quip: “I think it’s important to realize that I was actually black before the election.”
According to the AP, Letterman responded, “How long have you been a black man?”
The president also inserted himself into some banter between Letterman and the audience. Having heard that an audience member brought a heart-shaped potato to the show, Obama told Letterman: “The main reason I’m here? I want to see that heart-shaped potato.”
The woman then tossed the vegetable to Letterman and let Obama keep it. “This is remarkable,” said the president.
The mid-afternoon taping marked the first time a sitting president has appeared on Letterman’s show.
