Obama: Washington 'feels as broken as it did 4 years ago' WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says Washington "feels as broken as it did four years ago," when he took office. He's most frustrated by the inability "to change the atmosphere" in the capital "to reflect the decency and common sense of ordinary people" who want leaders to solve problems. He adds "there's enough blame to go around for that." Obama tells CBS' "Sunday Morning" that there's no doubt that he underestimated how much "politics trump problem-solving." On a lighter note, he says the White House will be a quieter place this summer because his daughters will be in sleep-away camp for a month -- and their parents will be "experiencing the first stages of empty nest syndrome." Asked if he's prepared, the president says, "Well, I get a little depressed."