Obama Tells Barbara Walters He's Not 'Spock-Like': 'I Am a Softie...Stuff Can Choke Me Up

In recent months, President Barack Obama has had no problem providing glowing self-assessments of his presidency thus far. And with the 2012 election less than one year away, who can blame him? Voters are currently assessing whether the nation's 44th president deserves a second term.

Recently, Obama said that no other administration has done as much for Israel's security as his own. Additionally, he seemed to herald his foreign policy accomplishments as among the best of virtually any other president. Now, in a new interview with ABC's Barbara Walters, Obama exposes some very personal characteristics.

When asked what trait he "deplores" in both himself and others, he had an intriguing response. "Laziness," he answered. "Nothing frustrates me more than when people aren't doing their jobs."

The president then went on to discuss his disdain for "cruelty," saying "...if I see people doing something mean to somebody else, just to make themselves feel important, it really gets me mad."

Below, see some highlights from the interview:

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While these elements were certainly note-worthy, Walters went on to ask what Obama sees as the biggest misconception about himself.

"Me being detached, or Spock-like, or very analytical," he responded. "People who know me know that I am a softie. I mean, stuff can choke me up very easily."

You can read more of the interview transcript here. The full discussion will air on a special edition of 20/20 tonight.

(H/T: ABC News)