Obama tweaks governors about presidential ambitions

The National Governors Association can be described as the National Association of Aspiring Presidents — and the current president couldn't help citing some of his guests' ambitions during an NGA dinner Sunday.

"Harry Truman once called the presidency an 'enlarged governorship,'" President Obama said to chuckles.

"Of course, a few of you are hoping that he was right."

Governors regarded as White House hopefuls range from Republicans Scott Walker of Wisconsin and Chris Christie of New Jersey and Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, to Democrat Andrew Cuomo of New York.

Obama, who will deliver a policy speech to the governors Monday, had a few more laugh lines during his traditional toast at the NGA dinner.

"If it's your first visit, then welcome to the White House," Obama said. "We promise a good time. The only thing we can't conjure up from the past is Gov. Schwarzenegger on the dance floor. ... And he was something."

Obama also said he was grateful for better weather after a snowy Saturday in Washington, telling the governors:

"It is a good thing that you are not coming on a snowstorm like there was during the dinner of 1987. Hours into the dinner, the food was gone. Everybody was standing around. The snow seemed to keep falling harder and harder.

"And President Reagan looked out the window and turned to the first lady and said, 'Honey, do we have enough cots?' ... To which Nancy replied, 'We have a few spare bedrooms.'

"But it looks like the weather has cleared up enough that there will not be a pajama party here in the Blue Room tonight."