Lou Gossett Jr. arrives at the Academy Awards. | AP photo composite by POLITICO Gossett Jr.: Obama's the 'Iron Eagle'

Actor Lou Gossett Jr. has appeared in such films as "A Raisin in the Sun" and "An Officer and A Gentleman," but younger moviegoers might know him best from the "Iron Eagle" movies, in which he played Air Force fight pilot Col. Charles "Chappy" Sinclair.

But "Chappy" thinks that President Barack Obama would put Sinclair to shame.


"He's already a pilot," Gossett Jr. told the POLITICO podcast. "He's the best. And he's in better shape than I ever was. ... When he rides in a helicopter, he won't be shaking in the knees like I was."

As for Obama's other skills, Gossett Jr. said that Obama "is doing a very good job. He's an honest and open man — and thank God. I support him 100 percent."

Gossett Jr. was in town for last week's "Power of a Dream" gala, which provides support for the children of prisoners.

Click and listen to the full podcast to find out what Gossett hopes Obama will do on the issue of criminal justice, and how he thinks D.C. has changed over the years.

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