Obama to visiting GOP governor: Don't get too comfortable at White House

The White House goes to great lengths every year to make visitors feel comfortable in its myriad formal rooms.

But if you're a Republican with your sights set on challenging President Obama in 2012, you might get a slightly different reception.

Just ask Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) who caught some grief on Monday at a White House briefing for governors in the State Dining Room, part of the annual meeting of the National Governors' Association.

The president opened his remarks by telling the assembled governors,``I hope today, all of you feel free to make yourselves at home."

Obama paused, then added, "For those of you with a particular interest in the next election, I don’t mean that literally.’’

The room was initially silent. It wasn't until two long seconds later that the president's gaze landed on Barbour, who was seated at a table near the front. With that, the room erupted in laughter.