More on Shirtless Presidents

The Washingtonian made waves yesterday when word of our May cover, which features a shirtless, bathing suit-clad Barack Obama, spread around the Internet and was featured on news broadcasts. Lots of you even buzzed about it in a post on our site that’s gotten 190 comments—and counting!

Wondering what the magazine has to say about it? Our publisher, Cathy Merrill Williams, appeared on MSNBC yesterday to talk to Norah O’Donnell. She explained some of the reasoning behind the cover—including why we worked a little Photoshop magic to change his swim trunks from dark blue to red—and how she hopes the May issue will be well received by Democrats and Republicans alike. Check out her segment after the jump. 

And there have been lots of conversations about appropriateness and ethics of showing President Obama without his shirt on—but what about other presidents? Here's a fun YouTube video we dug up that shows the history of shirtless presidents. Watch at your own risk!

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