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Posted: Mar 19 2009 11:57 am

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/03/19/obama.leno/index.html?eref=rss_politics

CNN.com wrote:

Guests on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" usually appear to promote a movie, TV show, book or album, but President Obama will visit the NBC show Thursday to make the case for his financial rescue plans.

I like this. I like the fact that Obama is stepping it up to reach the American people. Do you think he's reaching the right people by being on Leno, or is this just a "showing" of openness with no real substance? You make the call!

Docinsano's Channel 63 · Posted: Mar 19 2009 12:07 pm

I like how Obama is really showing himself and being overly comfortable with his surroundings. He seems very lax, but he knows how to get the job done. I'm pretty sure he'll do fine on Leno, maybe he'll even crack a joke or two you'll actually laugh at.

Joined: Apr 14 2006 Location: Lake Michigan Posts: 3332

I'm conflicted. On the one hand, it's nice to have a president trying to connect to the average person by going on Leno or filling out an NCAA bracket. But on the other hand, it sort of gives the impression that he should be doing more important things - like fixing the economy - instead of wasting time with things like this - or parties at the White House every Wednesday night paid for with taxpayers' money.

Somehow I think that if it was a republican prez doing this, I would think it was cool, though...

Posted: Mar 19 2009 12:12 pm

I don't know how I feel about this. It's not like other presidents wouldn't have been welcomed onto late night shows with open arms. Clinton and Reagan in particular understood the importance of television and the soundbite, but neither one ever made appearances on such a frivolous show.

I think the general feeling among presidents has been that it's unclassy and disrespectful to the office of the president to appear on entertainment shows. But Obama is a cool new president for a cool new generation, so now it's late night time! Then again, if he's cool, why did he pick Leno? He's better than Letterman, but the kids these days all love Conan.

That being said, I'm glad he picked Leno, because it validates Leno's status as the current king of late night. I hate how Leno was railroaded off the Tonight Show. NBC sucks.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 12:41 pm

Cattivo wrote:

I'm conflicted. On the one hand, it's nice to have a president trying to connect to the average person by going on Leno or filling out an NCAA bracket. But on the other hand, it sort of gives the impression that he should be doing more important things - like fixing the economy - instead of wasting time with things like this - or parties at the White House every Wednesday night paid for with taxpayers' money.

Somehow I think that if it was a republican prez doing this, I would think it was cool, though...

My thoughts exactly. I feel like he is almost not taking his job, and our current economic disaster seriously enough.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 02:05 pm

Andrew Man wrote:

My thoughts exactly. I feel like he is almost not taking his job, and our current economic disaster seriously enough.

On the contrary, my take on the situation is that he TAKES it seriously enough, and cares about getting his message out enough, to want to reach out to people who don't watch CNN or keep up with newspapers, etc for whatever reason. I can see how it could kinda be considered disrespectful to the office, but in this case, given the audience he's trying to reach, I think the benefits far outweigh the cost.

What I REALLY wish is that he would go on Colbert and claim that signed Spidy comic Stephen is holding for him. CR is probably a little too partisan to be a really safe choice for Obama to go on, though. No doubt someone would end up pissed for one reason or another. Leno, I think, is a bit safer (as a show, not necessarily personally.)

Joined: Apr 14 2006 Location: Lake Michigan Posts: 3332

I wish Conan was on TV right now, then he could go on that show. I can't wait till June, then I can watch him again, and at an earlier time - that won't cost me too much sleep by watching. The great thing about the Central Time Zone is that the Tonight Show is at 10:30 p.m.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 02:15 pm

It's nice that he wants to be public and connect with all of us, but I don't like the venue. What's wrong with bringing back the fire side chats? We can all stay informed and feel like the president cares about us without having a president sitting on a couch next to Drew Barrymore retracting her statement about directing the next Twilight movie.

Joined: Apr 14 2006 Location: Lake Michigan Posts: 3332

I think he puts his weekly radio address on YouTube. I haven't bothered paying attention though, as I would prefer seeing him as little as possible.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 02:26 pm

Cattivo wrote:

I think he puts his weekly radio address on YouTube. I haven't bothered paying attention though, as I would prefer seeing him as little as possible.

Correct, he does a weekly video address that is posted on the White House website, as well as the White House youtube channel. (And myspace...and all those other sites too.)

Posted: Mar 19 2009 02:33 pm

Dr. Jeebus wrote:

It's nice that he wants to be public and connect with all of us, but I don't like the venue. What's wrong with bringing back the fire side chats? We can all stay informed and feel like the president cares about us without having a president sitting on a couch next to Drew Barrymore retracting her statement about directing the next Twilight movie.

I agree with this, and I would much prefer a fire side chat, but I'm sure that he opted for the Tonight Show for a guaranteed large audience. Probably much bigger than a fire side chat. Though I doubt they will talk about anything of significance on the Tonight Show.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 02:58 pm

SoldierHawk wrote:

Cattivo wrote:

I think he puts his weekly radio address on YouTube. I haven't bothered paying attention though, as I would prefer seeing him as little as possible.

Correct, he does a weekly video address that is posted on the White House website, as well as the White House youtube channel. (And myspace...and all those other sites too.)

That's great and all, but that reaches the same audience as late night TV. Also, you're required to get on your computer and actively seek it out. Having a TV or radio broadcast on a major network (more likely for people to randomly stumble upon it) would be a better idea and reach more new people than Leno or other late night comedy (or comedy "news") shows would.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 03:11 pm

The last thing the fucking president should be doing is spending my tax dollars to buy time on network television. Not only is it a waste of money, but I don't want to tune in expecting to see LOST one night, only to find it's been preempted by droning sissy ramblings about the economy. Primetime is a sacred time that should be left to those of us who enjoy television. It should not be tainted by things as vulgar and common as political stumping.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 03:15 pm

Syd Lexia wrote:

The last thing the fucking president should be doing is spending my tax dollars to buy time on network television. Not only is it a waste of money, but I don't want to tune in expecting to see LOST one night, only to find it's been preempted by droning sissy ramblings about the economy. Primetime is a sacred time that should be left to those of us who enjoy television. It should not be tainted by things as vulgar and common as political stumping.

So he should spend your tax dollars to fly to New York to be on Leno? If nothing else, it could be on PBS for free, but it's essentially a press conference, so I don't think he'd have to spend money to buy air time.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 03:19 pm

Personally, I like the idea of putting his rants on YouTube. It may not be very classy venue for them, but it's a very popular site. And it works out perfectly, because people who care what he has to say can easily find it, while people who don't never have to listen to him again.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 03:57 pm

Syd Lexia wrote:

Personally, I like the idea of putting his rants on YouTube. It may not be very classy venue for them, but it's a very popular site. And it works out perfectly, because people who care what he has to say can easily find it, while people who don't never have to listen to him again.

If he has an actual broadcast on TV or radio you aren't forced to listen to it. You might stumble upon it, but no one's controlling your channels.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 04:10 pm

If I stumble upon it, it'll be because he's preempting a show I actually wanted to watch.

Posted: Mar 19 2009 06:27 pm

I'm a bit miffed that John Cena got bumped off the show for Obama.

Joined: May 22 2008 Location: Goshen, VA Posts: 6544

That's OK because John Cena's new movie looks like utter garbage.

Title: Titlating Joined: Dec 17 2007 Posts: 5042

better than jimmy fallon

Posted: Mar 19 2009 11:24 pm

Optimist With Doubts wrote:

wayyyyyyyyyyy better than jimmy fallon

Fixed.

Posted: Mar 20 2009 01:13 am

Optimist With Doubts wrote:

anything is better than jimmy fallon

Fixed x2

Posted: Mar 20 2009 01:13 am

SoldierHawk wrote:

Optimist With Doubts wrote:

anything is better than jimmy fallon

Fixed x2

IDK about all that. i'd rather hang out w/jimmy fallon then get the herp

Joined: May 22 2008 Location: Goshen, VA Posts: 6544

Was anyone actually offended by Obama's "Special Olympics" remark?

Posted: Mar 20 2009 12:24 pm

joshwoodzell wrote:

Was anyone actually offended by Obama's "Special Olympics" remark?

I wasn't offended, but the president isn't supposed to say shit like that.

I saw the first part of the interview but shut it off when it went to commercial. Did he ever answer Leno's question regarding why they can just say "Oh, we don't like this guy" and tax them 90%?