Obama says he shouldn't have golfed after Foley statement

WASHINGTON, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. President Barack Obama admitted he shouldn't have gone golfing directly after making a statement on the beheading of U.S. journalist James Foley.

Obama issued a statement Aug. 20 condemning the execution of Foley by Islamic State militants.

His family was vacationing in Martha's Vineyard, Mass., at the time and shortly after his statement, he was photographed golfing.

In an appearance Sunday on NBC's Meet the Press, Obama said it wasn't a good idea for him to hit the greens.

"I should've anticipated the optics," he said. "Part of the job is the theater of it."

He said that aspect of his job doesn't come naturally to him.

"It matters. And I'm mindful of that," he added.

"After having talked to the families, where it was hard for me to hold back tears listening to the pain that they were going through," Obama said, "I think everybody who knows me -- including, I suspect, the press -- understands that ... you take this stuff in. And it's serious business. And you care about it deeply."