President Obama had some tough words for D.C. residents a few minutes ago about their reaction to snow and icy weather.

"When it comes to the weather, folks in Washington don't seem to be able to handle things," Obama said, at the beginning of a meeting with business leaders at the White House.

The remarks were meant as a joke, but can probably be added to the list of minor verbal gaffes made by the new president since his election. Most memorable was his reference to Nancy Reagan and seances during his first press conference after being elected.

Obama's swipe at Washingtonians came at the end of a number of jokes he made about the reaction to the snow and ice that fell yesterday, which had the 13 CEO's around the table in the Roosevelt Room roaring with laughter.

“My children's school was canceled today, because of what? Some ice,” he said, and all at the table started laughing.

“As my children pointed out, in Chicago school is never canceled,” he said, joking about how kids go out for recess on snow days.

Obama said he would have to instill “some flinty Chicago toughness” into Washingtonians.

- Jon Ward, White House reporter, The Washington Times

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