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President Obama, David Letterman in retirement - playing dominoes

"You've given us a great gift, and we love you," President Barack Obama told David Letterman on Monday's Late Show.

By Karen Butler
President Barack Obama and David Letterman on the "Late Show." Photo courtesy of CBS
President Barack Obama and David Letterman on the "Late Show." Photo courtesy of CBS

NEW YORK, May 5 (UPI) -- President Barack Obama and David Letterman discussed their retirement plans on Monday's Late Show.

This marked the two-term commander-in-chief's eighth and final visit to the program. Letterman is retiring this month.

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"What will you do when you're not president?" Letterman wanted to know.

"Well, I was thinking, you and me, we can play some dominoes together," Obama replied.

"Dominoes -- alright," Letterman agreed.

"We can, you know, go to the local Starbucks and, you know, swap stories," the president joked.

Letterman then told the audience that during one of the show's commercial breaks, Obama revealed he's planning to take a month off after his presidency ends.

"I said: 'Are you kidding me? After eight years of this, you're only taking a month off?'" Letterman related.

"I really like the idea of playing some dominoes with you," Obama said.

"I'll play dominoes," Letterman promised. "I'm pretty good. I know you think I'm no good at dominoes, but I'm pretty good at dominoes. And I plan to teach law at Columbia."

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As the audience laughed, Obama said: "Well, that's good...That's good. You know, I'd be interested in sitting in on that class. I mean, that'd be a hoot." Assuming a more serious tone, Letterman said: "I don't know quite what to say by expression of gratitude here. It's particularly meaningful to me because, I think, like most Americans, we feel we know you. You've been kind enough to be here on many occasions. Your wife has been here on many occasions, and you hosted us at your home in Washington, D.C., and all of these have been very meaningful to me and to my family, and I can only wish you all the best in life."

"Well, Dave, let me just say this," said Obama. "And I mean this sincerely, and I know I speak for Michelle, she probably had a chance to say it herself. You know, we've grown up with you. The country, I think, has, you know, after a tough day at the office or coming home from work, knowing you've been there to give us a little bit of joy, a little bit of laughter, it has meant so much, and you're part of all of us... You've given us a great gift, and we love you."

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