Obama's Media Spectacular: Jay Leno, Nowruz, and Iran

Our daily look at stories and topics that are lighting up the Internets:

Heeeeeere's President Obama

Everybody's talking about Obama's appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno last night. Transcript available here. "Move over Ronald Reagan," writes liberal Jennifer Donahue. "President Barack Obama is the best communicator in the history of the American presidency," and his Leno performance is a case in point. Blogger Maeve Kennedy thinks the president's biggest mistake was relaxing, evident in his Special Olympics-bowling gaffe now being replayed throughout the media circus. This conservative blogger gets all upset over Obama's remarks, and his policies, and his reliance on teleprompters, etc. Conservative Mary Kate Cary believes that Obama degraded the presidency and shot himself in the foot for no reason (for Leno, though, last night was a score). Blogger T-Steele takes us out: "In conclusion, President Obama is a terrible bowler. I think he needs to avoid all bowling alleys and stick to the basketball courts until he leaves office. Seems like he just can't win when it comes to bowling."

Good Morning, Iran

President Obama released a video directed at the people of Iran this morning (available here), celebrating the Persian New Year, or Nowruz. Megan Baaske blogs a brief explanation of the holiday. Andrew Malcolm summarizes Obama's message: "Obama uses the celebration of a new season to urge Iran's leaders to join in a new diplomatic effort to overcome differences and re-enter the world community without threats of terror or arms." Paul Reynolds explains what Obama's message to Iran really means. Conservative Ed Morrissey isn't all that unhappy with Obama's message, warning that if you hold out a carrot you can't let go of the stick. And Joe Gandelman gets to the bottom line: "This is a stark contrast to the Bush administration's policy, which basically was isolation. And in terms of the communication tool (YouTube) it's an even greater contrast."

More on AIG

And after a week, you thought the AIG bonus scandal was old news? In the scheme of things it may well be, but more than a few bloggers were still sharing their thoughts today. Liberal John Farrell reacts to the congressional reaction to the scandal—voting for a retroactive bonus-taxing bill yesterday—by exposing the hypocrisy in Republican support for the measure. He writes: "If it is okay to micro-manage and soak wealthy Wall Street greedheads with a 90 percent tax after their bungling has caused a worldwide financial crisis, then what's the harm in regulating them before, and taxing them at a higher rate"? This liberal blogger notes that AIG is now suing the U.S.: "What a world." Liberal Jamie Malanowski argues that outrage over the bonuses should be extended to extravagances elsewhere in our culture. And very conservative Michelle Malkin thinks the bonus outrage is stealing the limelight from the other types of more important rage. She writes: "I ask you now to turn away from the bogus bonus smokescreen over $165 million in taxpayer-backed compensation packages for AIG employees. It is a pittance compared to the gargantuan spending spree happening right under our noses."

... Meanwhile ...

Iran responds to Obama's message... An Iranian blogger dies in jail... Sarah Palin is now 69 percent in favor of Obama's stimulus... PM Gordon Brown can't even watch the lousy DVDs President Obama gave him... And it turns out Somali pirates are in cahoots with Somalia's government.