President Obama Slammed For 'The View' Appearance

Rosie O'Donnell, political press scoff at Obama's strategy.

"Two wars, oil crisis, crashed economy and he's whooping it up with Whoopi." This was what a New York Daily News reporter had to say about President Obama's appearance on The View Thursday morning. Much of the media and public feel the same way, as Obama's handlers try desperately to filter his just-a-regular-guy message through the mainstream female audience.

READ: President Obama To Visit 'The View' On Thursday

President Barack Obama showed up on the set of The View Wednesday for the producers to do a rare pre-taped interview for the episode that's set to air at 11 a.m. Eastern. In a preview, Obama discusses what it's like to raise tweens ("They still like you," he jokes) and carries on colloquially with The View's panel.

With Obama as the first sitting U.S. president to appear on daytime talk TV, political analysts point out that this is part of President Obama's strategy to reach American women and win their approval, as his public approval ratings have been on a rollercoaster in recent months (although a Time Magazine report has revealed that Obama is much better rated at this point than President George W. Bush was in 2006).

The press is buzzing, and not in a good way. New York Daily News reporter S.E. Cupp wrote, "[...] It's unlikely [Obama will] change the minds of voters who are increasingly unimpressed that our President is a wiz at self-promotion, but no good at steering the nation through these tricky straits."

Rosie O'Donnell agreed with Cupp on her XM show, chiding, "I don't really think sitting presidents should do fluffy daytime TV shows."

More Photos »

And while some political journalists suggest that Obama doesn't care what serious press thinks of his View move, President Obama has defended himself, saying, "Look, I was trying to find a show that Michelle actually watched, and so I thought this is it, right here ... All those new shows, she's like, eh, let me get the clicker."

Will you be watching for footage of him on The View? (By the way, Barbara Walters returned briefly from heart surgery recover to be present for Obama's date with the ladies on The View.)

READ: President Obama Skipping Chelsea Clinton Wedding