Man Up

Father’s Day wasn't taken lightly at the White House this year. Even in the face of the crisis in Iran and his current push for health care reform, President Obama took time to talk about the issue. Last Sunday, he addressed a group of teenagers, community leaders and fathers — including Darryl McDaniels of RUN-DMC and pro skateboarder Tony Hawk — in the East Room for a Father’s Day celebration. His main initiative reports The New York Times: to begin a “national conversation on responsible fatherhood and healthy families.”

As someone who grew up without a father, the President has been particularly outspoken about the damage caused by absentee fathering. He’s asking American men to be better than his own father — he’s asking them to step up and show up. Even with a job as exciting as his, he says nothing is more fun than being a father.

Guests then joined the President and celebrity chef Bobby Flay for a barbecue and mentoring sessions on the South Lawn. After, local leaders and celebrity dads, including NBA stars Dwayne Wade and Etan Thomas, split up to visit local D.C. charities — but not before Tony Hawk hopped on his board for a little ride through the halls of the White House. Guess Obama’s not a very strict dad.