President Obama didn't bring a Top 10 list to the just-completed taping of David Letterman's show, but he did bring a couple of zingers.

When Letterman asked him about former president Jimmy Carter's claim that racism is behind a lot of recent political attacks, Obama deadpanned: "It's important to realize that I was actually black before the election."

Which he won, if you'll recall. Said Obama: "The American people, I think, gave me this extraordinary honor. That tells you a lot, I think, about where the country is at."

Although Obama didn't bring a Top 10 list with him, Letterman had a special one ready.

The top reason Obama agreed to appear on Dave's show -- drum roll, please -- is that he "wanted to congratulate Dave on the big Emmy win."

Rim shot. Letterman didn't win an Emmy, losing to talk show rival Jon Stewart.

The president's chat with the veteran comedian-turned-talk show-host stayed serious for the most part, with discussions of tough subjects like war and health care. But there were also some jokes and Letterman-style playfulness. The show gave Obama a relaxed chance to discuss domestic policy before a four-day foreign policy stint with members of the United Nations and G-20.

Our friendly pooler Michael Shear of the Washington Post supplied us with these details. The program airs tonight on CBS at 11:30 ET.

In discussing the high-volume arguments over health care and other proposals, Obama said the country gets "riled up" whenever a president wants to make big changes. The president said he wants to make to make big changes because inadequate regulation led to near collapse of the financial system and the ongoing recession.

"People are just frustrated and angry right now," Letterman said, because they have gotten "a raw deal."

On a less serious note about another serious topic -- health care -- Letterman said that when he doesn't feel good he goes to the CBS nurse. Obama said everyone should have a nurse, but the problem is nearly 30 million people lack insurance.

In hitting familiar notes about his health care plan, Obama said many Americans are confused by misinformation from opponents. "They're scared of the devil they don't know," he said.

In a discussion of foreign policy, Obama said the military remains on pace to withdraw troops from Iraq, though "Afghanistan is a real difficult situation."

Before sending any more U.S. troops, Obama said he wants to make sure a new Afghanistan strategy is worthy of the risks. He said the main threat in Afghanistan remains "extremists who want to kill innocents."

When Letterman asked the president about his daughters, Obama said they "bascially just goofed off during the summer, which I couldn't do."

"Others have," Letterman cracked.

Obama said he worries a little about the pre-teen girls as they grow older in the glare of the White House.

"I suppose they are going to want to go on dates," Obama said, "and I'll have all these men with guns around. At that point they may have some stress."

Obama also spoke about job creation and his economic stimulus plan, and added that recovery "won't happen overnight." He also discussed "green buildings." In a studio notorious for heavy air conditioning, Obama also asked the crowd if they were cold.

During the opening monologue, Letterman joked that he had not seen Obama since the president invited him and Sarah Palin over "for a beer at the White House." (Letterman had a notable dust-up after a joke about the former vice presidential candidate's daughter.)

There was also a gag about a woman in the audience who brought a heart-shaped potato (which was later presented to the president, who joked that "the main reason I'm here is I want to see that heart-shaped potato.")

And here -- courtesy of Mr. Shear -- is the full Letterman Top 10 reasons Obama appeared on the show:

10. Heard the lady with the heart-shaped potato was gonna be here. 9. Thought it would be fun to watch someone else get heckled. 8. Something to do with that whole Cash For Clunkers deal. 7. Every president since Teddy Roosevelt has done it. 6. Someone offers you 600 bucks, you take it ladies and gentlemen. 5. We told him Megan Fox would be here. 4. Needed some time to hang out before check-in time at his hotel. 3. I have no idea. 2. Said yes, without thinking, like Bush did with Iraq. 1. Wanted to congratulate Dave on the big Emmy win.

Before introducing Obama, Letterman put a presidential seal on his guest's coffee mug -- upside down. "I like the cup," Obama said after he took the chair next to Dave's desk.

The president received a standing ovation from the crowd at the Ed Sullivan Theater on Broadway, as Paul Schaffer's band played a funky, drum-fueled Hail to The Chief.

(Posted by David Jackson; photo by Jim Watson, AFP/Getty Images)