Washington ( CNN ) -- President Obama told CNN 's Larry King on Thursday that he is furious about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill , but his job is to fix things instead of just yelling at people . In a White House interview for the 25th anniversary of `` Larry King Live '' on CNN , Obama called the oil spill an unprecedented crisis for the country but added it could have been worse . Despite the challenges posed by the oil spill , global threats involving North Korea and Iran and political battles with Congress , Obama called being president `` the best job on Earth . '' `` It 's an extraordinary privilege to wake up every day and know you have the opportunity to serve the American people and make life better , '' he said . King noted that the latest CNN Poll of Polls showed Obama at 48 percent support among the American people , which the president called pretty good , considering the circumstances . `` Given everything that 's going on , my poll numbers are all right , '' Obama said . Asked about his anger toward the oil spill situation , Obama said he was furious because `` somebody did n't think through the consequences of their actions . '' Obama also said he had not seen enough of a rapid response from BP to the environmental catastrophe . `` I would love to just spend a lot of my time venting and yelling at people , but that 's not the job I was hired to do , '' Obama said . `` My job is to solve this problem and ultimately this is n't about me and how angry I am . Ultimately this is about the people down in the Gulf who are being impacted and what am I doing to make sure that they 're able to salvage their way of life . '' Oil giant BP caused the spill and is responsible for paying the costs , Obama said , adding : `` My job is to make sure they 're being held accountable . '' In the wide-ranging interview to be broadcast Thursday night , Obama also acknowledged Israel 's security concerns while questioning the Israeli blockade of Gaza following this week 's military raid on a flotilla of ships carrying relief supplies to the Palestinian territory . The president called the incident that killed nine people , including a Turkish-American man , a `` tragic situation '' that could serve as `` an opportunity '' to advance the Middle East peace process . '' On the oil spill , Obama said BP has the best technology and know-how to try to stop the leak , but the president indicated that the spill could continue until relief wells being drilled now are completed in August . Despite the havoc that the oil spill is causing to Gulf fisheries and fragile wetlands , Obama said he still supports off-shore drilling `` if it can be done safely . '' Asked about reports that his administration had extended a moratorium on offshore drilling to shallow water rigs , Obama denied it . `` Actually the moratorium is not extended to the shallow waters , '' the president said . On another topic , Obama criticized Arizona 's controversial new immigration law because it could lead to `` 50 different laws in 50 different states '' regarding border security , which is a federal concern . The interview took place shortly after Obama met with Arizona Gov . Jan Brewer , who said Obama pledged to work with her on solving the immigration problem . The new Arizona law , which takes effect in July , allows police officers to check the residency status of anyone who is being investigated for a crime or possible legal infraction if there is reasonable suspicion the person is an illegal resident . Critics , including Attorney General Eric Holder , have said the law will promote racial profiling . Obama told CNN that the issue required a broader response than just strengthening border security , and he urged Congress to work with him on comprehensive immigration reform that would tighten the border while requiring illegal immigrants to register , pay back taxes and penalties , learn English and seek citizenship through normal channels . The president also discussed the status of pending free agent basketball star Lebron James , saying that part of him hoped James would re-sign with the Cleveland Cavaliers because it would be a `` great story . '' Obama , who is from Chicago and a known fan of the hometown Bulls , acknowledged his response might make people there unhappy . The president also called Wednesday night 's White House concert honoring former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney a great event , particularly when McCartney serenaded the first lady with the love ballad that shares her first name , `` Michelle . '' `` When she was a little girl growing up on the South Side ( of Chicago ) , I do n't think she ever imagined that happening , '' Obama said .
President Gulf says he 's furious about the Obama oil spill , but his job is to fix it , not vent . Obama calls the crisis unprecedented , but says it could have been worse . Despite challenges , Obama calls being president `` the best job on Earth '' Obama was interviewed by Obama 's Larry King for Thursday of CNN Poll of Polls