Book: First lady nixed McConnell visit

The White House wanted to invite congressional leaders to Camp David to improve relations among top officials, but the first lady’s East Wing staff shot down the idea, according to a new book.

{mosads}And it was because of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

According to “Double Down,” journalists Mark Halperin and John Heilemann’s account of the 2012 election, then-White House chief of staff Bill Daley “floated the Camp David plan — a weekend getaway for the congressional leadership and their spouses.”

But “Michelle’s East Wing staff shot it down: who wanted to be cooped up on a cold day in the woods with Mitch McConnell?”

The book, which is a sequel to Halperin and Heilemann’s “Game Change,” details some of the efforts made to improve the frosty relationship President Obama has with Congress.

It notes a “smoking summit” for Obama and Boehner was a nonstarter because the president finally managed to quit smoking so the two — along with Ohio Gov. John Kasich (R) and Vice President Biden — played golf in June 2011 as the debt ceiling debate raged.

The book reports Obama was originally against the golf outing because, as he’s quoted as saying “Boehner’s too good,” but he came around to the idea. To ensure victory, he announced he and Boehner would take on Biden and Kasich — and they won.

“Double Down,” published by Penguin Press, is out Tuesday.