Barack Obama to David Letterman: I Was Black Before the Election!

Most people probably didn't find funny former President Jimmy Carter's assertion that criticism of President Barack Obama's health care plan is rooted in racism.

But the President himself can see the humor in it.

Asked about the comment on The Late Show with David Letterman, Obama quipped, "I think it's important to realize that I was actually black before the election."

Letterman deadpanned, "Really. Tell us, how long have you been a black man?"

Obama's visit made him the first sitting president to appear on Letterman's show. He personally had been a guest on Letterman's show five times before, however.

Early joking aside, the President's interview last night turned serious when Letterman asked questions about, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the state of the economy.

On the economy, Barack Obama offered a sober prediction as the country deals with 9.7 percent unemployment, the worst level since 1983. He said he expects unemployment will be a "big problem" for at least another year.

But Obama told Letterman the economy will rebound even stronger.

As for Afghanistan, Obama knows some people want him to bring troops home, and others are calling for him to increase U.S. force levels to fight the insurgency.

Obama said he won't make a decision on sending in more troops, though, until he completes a comprehensive review of the war effort and settles on his strategy.

"I'm going to be asking some very hard questions," Obama said.

Follow the jump for two clips from Obama's apperance on Letterman, a portion of his interview and the show's Top 10 list (of reasons he agreed to show up) ...