*The President of the United States and his bare chest grace the May cover of Washingtonian magazine in an issue featuring a list of "Reasons We Love Washington."

The Commander-in-Briefs ranks No. 2 on the tally. His position is explained with the accompanying phrase, "Our neighbor is hot."

The cover photo was shot by paparazzi while the then-President-elect was on vacation in his native Hawaii in late December. Washingtonian made a few edits to the original photo -- changing Barack Obama's bathing suit from black to red and editing out the background.

Some critics are calling the cover disrespectful, asking if the magazine would put similar shirtless photos of Presidents Clinton, Bush or Reagan on a cover. But Washingtonian editor at large defends his latest decision.

"You have a buff president and the paparazzi like taking shirtless photos of him," Garret Graff told ABC News. Obama in D.C. is "really hot," she added. The magazine tried to "capture the energy and excitement" over the Obamas and "have a little fun."

President Obama on the cover of Washingtonian magazine