Obama to sit down with Leno on 'The Tonight Show'
@whiteheather39 (24403)
United States
March 17, 2009 4:44am CST
He'll be the first sitting president in such a venue. By pitching his economic recovery plan to the show's 5 million viewers, he'll speak past the press corps to an audience beyond political junkies.
Reporting from San Francisco and Washington -- In a career studded with historic firsts, President Obama is preparing for yet another: hitting the late-night comedy circuit to pitch his economic recovery plan.
It's hardly a laughing matter, with the country in its worst economic shape in decades. And it certainly doesn't approach the import of Obama's election as the nation's first black president.
However, by taking a seat Thursday night on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," Obama will become the first sitting president to appear in such an unlikely venue, erasing -- perhaps once and for all -- any vestige of the line that separates news from entertainment.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/washingtondc/la-na-obama-leno17-2009mar17,0,5492434.story
Obama's campaign trail were IMO more of a rock star appearing at a concert than a person who had the concerns of running a country as his message. I thought he wanted to be an idol of the masses more than a serious contender to help alleviate the troubles we were in. Maybe his next step will be to appear on American Idol!
Any opinions on the subject prime time appearance?
8 people like this
9 responses
@mummymo (23706)
•
17 Mar 09
I'm not sure how such things work there hen and I don't feel qualified to give an opinion on it to people who ar American and whom it affects more than me BUT I can say that out last Prime Minister Tony Blair appeared in a comedy Sketch Show for Comic Relief before he left office and I for one applauded him for it!
My opinion is that yes politics is a serious business but politics leaks into every area of life so why shouldn't politicians be shown in many different lights in many different circumstances? I can always respect someone who isn't afraid to show a more human side to them than someone who feels they have to be prim, proper and 'in their place' at all times. xxx
3 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
17 Mar 09
mummymo that is completely different Tony Blair appeared on Comedy Relief as a charity event and as you say he was already leaving office so he did not appear just to bolster his own popularity. His appearance had nothing to do with his duties as Prime Minister whereas I am sure Obama will use his appearance to deal with issues he is having as president.
Here is the link to PM Blair's appearance if anyone is interested.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFwmcUTu8DY
2 people like this
@irisheyes (4370)
• United States
17 Mar 09
He said he would be truthful with the American people about the problemes we face. In order to do that, he must reach the majority of the American people and a show like Leno's is an excellent venue for doing that.
Probably when FDR started his radio broadcasts, there were criticisms similar to any Obama will receive for going on Leno but it's just another way to update the presidency and get the message out. Let's face it John McCain & Sarah Palin campaigned for the presidency on SNL. So, the door was opened and now the Pres is using the same format. I don't honestly think that Jay Leno will be disrespectful to a sitting president so there probably will be no rock show or comedy format.
I can remember the Kennedy presidency and that was a rock star presidency if there ever was one. Frankly, it felt good. I used to watch the nightly news with my parents while millions all over the world cheered for a US president. It made Americans feel good about themselves and I'd welcome some of those feelings again.
2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
17 Mar 09
You said "It made Americans feel good about themselves and I'd welcome some of those feelings again. " How very true and I echo these sentiments 100%.
2 people like this
@jjstream (313)
• United States
18 Mar 09
I agree. The president will lay out his agenda about the economy, AIG and other problems that our country is currently facing and I believe that is what is going to take place this Thursday. This is a very good format for him to do this. Remember every country is facing problems and some countries are facing a lot worse conditions than ours. I feel like things will get better for this country, our economy will bounce back, banks will start to lend again, jobs will be created and people will begin to spend again. I know that our president is on the right track when it comes to the economy. We are already seeing signs that the economy is getting better already. I always hope for the best
1 person likes this
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
17 Mar 09
The trail blazer of appearing in a comedic venue would have to be Richard Milhouse Nixon's cameo appearance on LAUGH-IN. Nixon was on screen for only enough time to say, "SOCK-IT TO ME!".
Or do I remember wrong? It has been a long time.
2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
17 Mar 09
I did not know that. Oh well it did not stop Nixon from coming to a sticky end of his presidency perhaps Obama will follow his lead in that area too.
3 people like this
@redyellowblackdog (10629)
• United States
17 Mar 09
I had not thought of that! Maybe time will tell that Presidents who feel the need to do comedy have nothing to laugh about.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (120812)
• United States
17 Mar 09
It's better than Bill Clinton playing the sax on Arsenio Hall. Although I'd think the current President would have better things to do that appearing on Jay Leno. After all, at the time of the saxophone gig, Clinton was just running for President, correct? I mean I thought that was lame anyway, but at least he wasn't the active President.
1 person likes this
@KrazyKlingon (5005)
• United States
18 Mar 09
It'd be an even bigger embarrassment if he tries to act like a Temptation & the first line is about sunshine on a cloudy day.
1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
17 Mar 09
I do not think it is much better but you are correct at least Clinton wasn't president.
2 people like this
@lilwonders456 (8214)
• United States
17 Mar 09
I did not watch it. Had better things to do. But personally I would think with all the problems we have right now that Obama would have better things to do.
He is using is popularity to push his agenda. Plan and simple. Lets see if the poeple fall for it.
2 people like this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
17 Mar 09
I am not interested but if you want to watch it is on tomorrow night (Thursday)
3 people like this
@Ysabel (1201)
• Philippines
18 Mar 09
i'm interested in watching it. not that i am an obama fan, but more of curiosity as what's going to be in the show .
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
20 Mar 09
didn't sarah palin go on one of those shows too,
whiteheather,
Although it is not a thing I think any president or presidential candidate should do,
tell me will write something nice about your president?
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
20 Mar 09
Of course I will write something nice about the president.....when he does something nice for the American people not just his crooked buddies!
@eaforeman6 (8979)
• United States
18 Mar 09
I would be more impressed if he showed up at some of the food banks and rendered aid or maybe the tent cities. How about feeding some hungry people who may go to bed without food? I think he could make an apperance in a place that may help others and not take a stage of vanity. I think that priorities matter and with what is happening now, the Jay Leno show,,,,,is way down on the list. @Ysabel (1201)
• Philippines
18 Mar 09
hi whiteheather39! i am definitely not an obama fan, but i am interested in watching that show. just to see what he has to say (again)... and all that. but of course, it would have been more appealing and impressive if he does more actions that will affect and improve the economic crisis rather than just sitting there and doing all the publicity stuff.
