President says White House will "get egged" if First Lady doesn't "lay off" putting dried fruit in Halloween goodie bags...UPDATE, Oct. 29: Reese's candy added to White House Halloween treat bags
On Tuesday morning, during his second day in Los Angeles, President Obama taped the Tonight Show with host Jay Leno. It will air late tonight. The President spoke about some serious subjects, but he also joked about First Lady Obama's Let's Move! campaign. Mrs. Obama's practice of putting dried fruit in White House Halloween goodie bags is endangering the historic residence, the President said. (Above: Mr. Obama and Leno goof off in the dressing room)
"Halloween's coming up, and she's been giving--for the last few years--the kids--fruit and raisins in their bags," President Obama said to laughter. "And I said 'the White House is going to get egged if this keeps up. You need to throw some candy in there.'"
"Moderation," interjected Leno.
"Exactly," said President Obama. "Put in a couple Reese's Pieces or something."
For the 2010 White House Halloween celebration, the President and First Lady handed out treats in cellophane bags tied with white ribbons, and the bags contained goodies that were identical to those given to kids for Halloween 2009: A sweet dough butter cookie made by Executive Pastry Chef Bill Yosses, a box of White House M&Ms, and the dreaded dried fruit. Yosses told Obama Foodorama that the cookies were made with honey from the South Lawn White House Beehive, as well as organic flour and sugar.
Mrs. Obama was in Chicago today, spreading the word about the Let's Move! campaign and announcing more private sector commitments to eradicate food deserts. The Leno taping was done extra-early in the day, because the President was scheduled to travel to San Francisco and Denver for three more campaign fundraisers.
Leno also asked the President if he's been paying attention to the endless series of GOP presidential candidates' debates, and the President likened the Republican race to the TV show "Survivor."
"I'm going to wait until everybody is voted off the island before--" the President started, but he was interrupted by applause.
"Once they narrow it down to one or two, I'll start paying attention," President Obama said.
Today was President Obama's second appearance on the show since taking office, and his fourth overall. After taping the show, Mr. Obama departed Los Angeles for San Francsico. He spoke at two fundraisers on Monday evening, and also stopped by Roscoe's Chicken n' Waffles House for some takeout.
*Photo by Pete Souza/White House. NBC video.