WHCD host calls Obama ‘funniest president’

“Saturday Night Live” star Cecily Strong called President Obama the funniest president ever and said she is nervous to follow his speech when she hosts this year’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner.

In an interview with MSNBC’s Ronan Farrow that aired Thursday on “Morning Joe,” Strong had high praise for Obama’s comedic timing, and said she’s “never that cool” to match his wit.

She pointed to Obama’s joke during the State of the Union address in January, when the president said he has no more campaigns to run because he won both of them. Strong said she wouldn’t have been quick enough to think of something that clever.

{mosads}”I’ve never had one of those, that’s what you think to say afterwards,” she said. “Usually in the moment you’re like, ‘You shut up.’ I’m never that cool … then you’re like, ‘Ah, I should have said that.’ “

Strong also joked that Obama’s humor makes him “cool as a cucumber,” except when he’s dancing.

The “SNL” comedian said the president’s ability to tell timely jokes, combined with the concern of a tough political crowd, are things she has to block out of her mind to be a successful host.

Strong said a handful of 2016 presidential hopefuls could also be funny presidents, and dubbed Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) as the most likely to carry on the comedic torch.

“That’s a funny president,” she said. “He’s like that goofy, little silly dad who’s so endearing.”

She added that former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton would try to be funny with “mom jokes,” but she’s unsure if Clinton would be successful with them.

On Saturday, Strong will become the fourth female to ever host the annual dinner, and the first since comedian Wanda Sykes filled the role in 2009. Strong, however, downplayed the accomplishment.

“It doesn’t feel like a huge deal to me,” she said. “I just think it’s kind of a nice testament to where everything stands right now.”

Watch the full MSNBC interview in the video above.