Obama won’t watch CNN’s Republican presidential debate, White House says

The White House had a classic Washington explanation for why President Barack Obama won't be watching Wednesday's Republican presidential debate: He wants to spend more time with his family.

"I suspect, knowing him, knowing his viewing habits, that he will not watch it. He has a family at home," Jay Carney, the White House press secretary, told reporters at his daily briefing.

"He tends to, when he watches TV at all, it's either sports or a movie, so I don't expect he will. But the president obviously keeps up with what's in the news. And will I'm sure be aware of the general back and forth of the debate come tomorrow morning," the spokesman said.

Asked whether Obama might watch the debate for clues as to his potential challenger's habits, tells, strengths and weaknesses, Carney verbally shrugged. "There is ample time between now and early November for him to prepare for what will be debates with his opponent, once that opponent emerges from this process," he said.

"He'll be prepared when that time comes, he might look at a little tape when that time comes. But for now I think he'll continue his practice of finding something better to do," Carney said.

Olivier Knox is the White House correspondent for Yahoo News.

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