Obama captures media, White House staff with his "swing" vote

Washington, Mar.15 (ANI): There is one thing most Americans are sure about, and that is that President Obama has a way with words and the ability to continue to ' swing votes' in his favour.

A reconfirmation of this came when Obama and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva passed the latest addition to the White House landscape: the "Supersized Rainbow Castle" play set installed for Obama's daughters - Malia and Sasha.

Though both leaders resisted the temptation to try out the swings, the rock wall, or the super scoop slide or to climb the rope ladder into the tented clubhouse on top, Obama spared no effort to talk to Lula about the 13-by-27 foot play set built of cedar and redwood.

"This is pretty spectacular," he said of the playground, sounding very much like a proud father.

He and US First Lady presented it to Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, last Wednesday. It was a gift designed to make the austere and even foreboding nature of the White House grounds more of a home for two young girls.

Obama revealed that he had pushed the swings with his girls sitting on them, and then offered up his redistribution of swing time proposal.

"We're gonna make sure that not just Malia and Sasha - but the whole staff - they can bring their kids. If reporters got kids, they can play on it too," CBS quoted Obama, as saying.

That brought squeals of delight from some members of the press - with visions of their youngsters playing with the first daughters a few steps from the Oval Office.

That's one way to get the swing vote. (ANI)