Obama pokes fun at D.C. area's reaction to snow

WASHINGTON -- After his daughters got a snow day Wednesday, President Barack Obama wants to see a little bit of "flinty, Chicago toughness" applied locally.

"When it comes to the weather, folks in Washington don't seem to be able to handle things," a joking Obama told reporters Wednesday morning.

"My children's school was canceled today because of what? Some ice."

Obama said his daughters -- Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7 -- pointed out that school in Chicago is never canceled.

"In fact, my 7-year-old pointed out that you'd go out for recess. You wouldn't even stay indoors," Obama says.

"We're going to have to try some flinty, Chicago toughness to this town."

Malia and Sasha Obama attend Sidwell Friends School, a private school in D.C.

Most public school systems in the Washington area closed Wednesday. D.C's public school system was the exception, opening two hours late.

Side streets and sidewalks throughout the region were icy. Some major roadways, including the Dulles Toll Road, were described as a sheet of ice.

As is typical with snowy or icy weather, transportation agencies asked people not to venture out.

"If you don't have to go out, let us do our job" said Maryland State Highway spokesman Chuck Gischlar Wednesday morning.

"Take it easy and go slow," says D.C. Department of Transportation spokeswoman Karyn LeBlanc.

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