President Obama called out Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh by name in an interview with CBS News' Harry Smith about the vitriol present on the talk radio airwaves.
"I've been out and about, listening to talk radio," Smith told Obama. "The kindest of terms you're sometimes referred to out in America is a socialist. The worst of which I've heard is called a Nazi. Are you aware of the level of enmity that crosses the airwaves and that people have made part of their daily conversation about you?
"Well, I think that when you listen to Rush Limbaugh or Glenn Beck, it's pretty apparent, and it's troublesome," the President responded. "But keep in mind that there have been periods in American history where this kind of vitriol comes out. It happens often when you've got an economy that is making people more anxious, and people are feeling like there is a lot of change that needs to take place. But that's not the vast majority of Americans. I think the vast majority of Americans know that we're trying hard, that I want what's best for the country."
Obama added that he doesn't buy into the favorable coverage of him either.
"I didn't buy all the hype, right after inauguration, where everybody was only saying nice things about me," he said. "And I don't get too worried when things aren't going as well because I know that over time these things turn."
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Obama also played basketball and discussed his game in the interview:
Parts of Smith's interview aired during Thursday's "CBS Evening News with Katie Couric." More will air on the "CBS Early Show" Friday morning.