After declining to comment last week on Rep. Anthony Weiner, the New York Democrat under fire for conducting sexually suggestive relationships online, the White House spokesman Jay Carney spoke to reporters about the matter while onboard Air Force One Monday morning. He said that President Obama thinks that Weiner’s behavior and subsequent lying about it was “inappropriate” but would not say whether the president thinks that Weiner should resign.

“The president feels, we feel at the White House, this is a distraction. As Congressman Weiner has said himself, his behavior was inappropriate, dishonesty was inappropriate,” Carney said. “But the president is focused on his job, which is getting this economy continuing to grow, creating jobs and ensuring the safety and security of the American people.”

Calls for him to step down have intensified in the past few days after it was discovered that the congressman communicated with a 17-year-old girl in Delaware and more lewd photos allegedly sent by Weiner were released. Weiner has requested a leave of absence from the House and entered rehab last weekend to seek treatment.

(Photo: AP Photo/David Karp)