Tonight' is friendly turf for President Obama
@whiteheather39 (24403)
United States
March 20, 2009 4:55am CST
Obama gave his his much published star appearance last night on TV and I got a kick out of the word "wonkish" used to describe his description of AIG ruckus.. Here is a definition of the word:
wonkish
Wonkism, which is the design of policy solutions that are too complex and subtle for the victims -- er, I mean the public, to understand.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=wonkish
Leno asked if it was fair to be "judged so quickly" after less than two months in office.
"I welcome the challenge," Obama said. "In Washington, it's a little bit like `American Idol,' but everybody is Simon Cowell. Everybody's got an opinion."
The tone turned serious when the economic crisis was the topic, but Leno wasn't going to make the president sweat.
Obama had appeared "angry" and "stunned" about the AIG bonuses, Leno observed.
"Stunned is the word," Obama replied, then launched into a lengthy, wonkish description of how the insurance giant foundered and why the company bonuses symbolize the larger issue of Wall Street's "attitude of entitlement."
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090320/ap_en_tv/tv_obama_leno
Now I know why I love watching Simon Cowell on AI because I seem to be just like him in that I too have an opinion.
Did you watch the show? Have an opinion to share?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@matersfish (6306)
• United States
20 Mar 09
I didn't watch it. I was too embarrassed that a United States President would go on "tour" to places like ESPN to promote college basketball and on Leno to promote himself.
From the short description you gave of their {Obama-Leno} interview, I certainly hope he's not criticizing Americans for having an opinion ... ?
He's the President of the people; not solely the President of some land mass with ever-loosening borders and declining currency value.
Any political leaning aside, I'm actually sad that a President of the United States of America would go on Leno - a lampoon show aimed at making light of "real" situations - to attempt to reinforce his popularity with the masses.
I'm not one of those diehard, old-school uppity types who think that any such action is a degradation of the office; I do feel, however, that Obama has bigger fish to fry, and maintaining his image is false, pointless, and downright condescending.
As my dad, who is the wisest person I know, always said: "You only have to proove you're trendy if you don't think you are."
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
20 Mar 09
He did manage to make a gaffe about his bowling being so poor he should play in the Special Olympics. He has since apologised.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
23 Mar 09
Excuse my ignorance, but how many presidents were referred to as "to give him more time?" Is Obama given more leeway that other presidents? Is he the exception? And why is he on Jay Leno or an entertainment show now that he is president? Not even Clinton was on one, and he played the clarinet, nor was Ronald Reagan and he was an actor before going into politics.
I am also tired of people saying one should not judge him because he had less than 2 months in office. He already picked his cabinet and they are all to the left like him. And such will not listen to the voice of the people. Why no one said that about Bush when he made those boo boos early in his term, no one said, "give Bush more time."
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
23 Mar 09
We have no choice but to give him more time to completely bankrupt our country. I think Obama is not satisfied with his celebrity status as prez but also wants show biz stardom.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
23 Mar 09
Whiteheather, he does want to be a celebrity, not just a president. AS they say in an old comedy show I watched, he is campaigning for god. I think he wants to be regarded the same way we regard God himself. That all eyes worship him. So America will go further into debt, and that recession will turn into a depression unless he is curtailed. It does seem to be one big mixup, does it not?
@Angel3yes (455)
• United States
23 Mar 09
I think Bush was an entirely different situation that the one that Obama is facing considering that within the first six months of Bush's term, September 11th happened and suddenly he was the most popular president ever because everyone wanted him to declare war. Obama is stepping into a time where the economy is horrible and he has to fix it, Bush stepped in when the economy was thriving and he made it plummet. BIG difference.
1 person likes this
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
20 Mar 09
I'm sorry to say that I missed it. Iwas too tired to stay up last night and I had to be someplace early this morning. Unlike the other respondents here, I thought it was a good idea but I missed it. I did see a few little snippets on morning TV. Looks like he goofed with the comment about the Special Olympics. Guess they'll nail him to the wall for that one. Eunice Shriver will have a few words with him if she's still around, I'm sure. lol
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
20 Mar 09
Yes that was sure to earn him a few more negatives in the popularity polls.
1 person likes this
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
21 Mar 09
Thanks for posting this, Whiteheather. To be honest, I couldn't remember if Eunice Shriver was still alive. Nice to know she is still going strong. I guess evenven the president knows he has to run damage control with Eunice when he goofs up. lol
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
20 Mar 09
Just noticed he apologised for that gaffe. Eunice Shriver did respond:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090320/ap_on_en_tv/obama_special_olympics
1 person likes this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
20 Mar 09
I don't listen to Obama. He reminds me too much of Ross Perot. Talks a lot and says nothing.
