As Democrats continue to reel from the presidential election, President Barack Obama says he wants to play a role in rebuilding the party he led for eight years.
In an interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep, Obama says he expects to be involved as the Democratic Party looks ahead.
"Well, I'm less likely to get involved in all the nuts and bolts of electioneering. In that realm, I'm much more likely to just give advice," he said.
"What I am interested in is just developing a whole new generation of talent," he said. "That's something that I think I can do well, I think Michelle can do well. That's part of what makes me optimistic about our future because I know those young people are out there ready to lead, and when they start moving into more and more positions of authority, then I think the issues that I care most deeply about are going to be well served."
And he accepted some of the blame for the party's woes.
"I am a proud Democrat, but I do think that we have a bias towards national issues and international issues, and as a consequence I think we've ceded too much. And I take some responsibility for that."
But Obama said for right now he's looking forward to vacationing with his family.
"I've promised Michelle a nice vacation," he said. "My girls are getting old enough now where I'm clinging to those very last moments before they are out of the house."