Obama's Jay Leno Tonight Show Gig Will Diminish His Presidency

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Obama has to go on these shows because the average citizen does not follow politics or wathc other political programs. When the President needs to appeal to the electorate in order to put pressure on Congress and advance his policy initiatives he has little choice but to address them on these popular shows. If you watched the interview he spent 6 out of the 8 min talking about war, the economy etc.

Rove of NJ 4:22PM January 12, 2010

There is only one core issue to concern yourself with here. Was it right or wrong for Obama to appear on The Tonight Show. No opinion can obviously be correct, but we should all realize that the voice of government, the presidency more specifically, to the people is antiquated. People don't actually watch the president uncut anymore. They rely on the news media to cut it into a story that will gain viewership and promote their agenda. The all have an agenda.
Obama's appearance on the tonight show could have ended up disastrous if he wasn't as collected as he was. The entire show was mostly uncut, except for commercials and he didn't have a teleprompter this time.
This country needs some out of the box thinking and I honestly believe that is what he is doing. I also honestly believe that he really does care about what the American people think. Even if he doesn't agree, I believe that he listens. From Obama's mouth, "It's when I agree with you the least that I need to listen the most."
He is smarter than many give him credit for and although I don't believe any president deserves a break, it is his actions through these hard times that will define him and us as a people the most.
www.wheresmymedia.com

William Steele of NY 9:21PM March 27, 2009

I agree that the President should not have done Leno. His way to reach the people is called the State of the Union, which every station carries. If the people are truly interested in what he has to say they can watch this speech, read the paper, or turn on the internet.
Even though this is the 21st century, Jay Leno is not the place for the President of the United States to address the people. Maybe once he leaves office (the day can't come soon enough)he can start a new career as a stand-up comic.

M. Piscitelli of NJ 12:06PM March 26, 2009

Is your concern over President Obama's appearance on Jay Leno simply due to the fact that you weren't hired to write any of his speeches nor attend any the elite jokesters at the Gridiron? What President Obama's appearance on Leno did show, however, was that he apparently has a better sense of humor than you do--and in "these trying economic times," laughter is a welcome gift.

Maria R. of CA 8:37PM March 24, 2009

This is extremely biased. People like you look for the worst in Democrats and the best in Republicans. It's not about parties anymore, it's about us coming together and giving Obama a chance. He's done so much more in his first few months than most other presidents have. Bush (along with many others in Washington) led us into a deficit so tremendous it's going to take years to reverse, and you're going to criticize Obama because he went on a talk show??? He was going there to reach out to the people. He knows many people watch the show, and it's not as if he approached this with levity and just went there to make jokes. He was serious most of the time and tried to help the average person understand what's going on.
It upsets me to read articles like this.

Simona of CA 7:30PM March 24, 2009

What kind of a mindless Republican automaton are you? Far from 'diminishing' the presidency, President Obama has brought the presidency closer to the people, taking actions to get people involved.
It is beyond me how an ideologue such as yourself can find fault with a President who reaches out. Then again, we all know the man you worked for... a man that ought to be tried for high crimes and treason.

Wayne Herbert of TX 12:21PM March 24, 2009

I thought America elected a president, and not an entertainer. He is in this just for the glory. He has become the first half black president, people are sipping on his kool aid, and he is in his glory.
He has everyone making decisions for him while he flies around the country getting attention. Give me a break. He is worthless as a president. While we suffer through these horrible economic times, he and Nancy Pelosi are blowing through even more taxpayer money while they jet around the nation and the world at our expense. They need to park their fancy jets and start setting examples of how we can get our nation back on track.
Insted these two glory hounds are so caught up in their lust for fame, fortune, and glory that they think nothing of what the real workers of America are going through. They are elected officials, there to serve the taxpayers, not just run through our money.

Paula of IN 2:42PM March 23, 2009

"Doing Jay Leno lessens the stature of the office, and diminishes the man." Right. Talk about out of touch. Ms. Cary, you need to get out of the beltway once in a while for some fresh air.
I have never read your boring, partisan blog before and will never again.

smeulema of FL 12:52PM March 23, 2009

It is interesting to me that we expect solutions within such a short period of time....and I don't mean just the 4yrs Mr Obama would be in the hot seat. We as a country have to go way back 43 presidents ago. Not one of our Presidents have made everyone happy. The financial problems now are reflective of a time told to me by my grandparents, and we made it through. When you have too many chiefs and not enough indians, this is what we get. As a nation we have been for many eras, self-centered and when you get stuck on yourself you get in trouble. Just look at how many countries do not care for us. We are a nation of diversity and cultures from the rest of the world. All but one nation, people or culture are immigrants here. No one is a true American, but we can blame each and every man in the hot seat. The ones at the true fault is the non-voting, non active members of our country along with the people who really have the greatest impact on laws and decisions: Senate, Congress, Representatives etc. One man does not change America. It is the people who exsist within the walls that have to make the difference. We have arrived at the problems we are facing because of greed and big-headed ideals. There is always someone wanting to be the big dog and we are really puppies to the rest of the world. We have become too large and if you have ever heard the saying....The bigger they are...the harder they fall...well just sit back and watch. Obama did not create the mess, but go ahead you got to blame someone so it might as well be him. You would never want to admit your own involvement in the mess.
God Bless one and all whether you are republican or democrat, independant or green, does not matter. It does not matter where your family came from, it matters what you do with the land that has been stolen, conquered and mishandled for many a year. Get on one accord, be American one and for all because a house divided will never stand.....

cdmw of NM 12:37AM March 23, 2009

You republicans are all the same. Back Bush through every kind of fiasco for 8 long years. Next guy gets handed a bag of @#%* and its all his fault. Wake up republickans the rest of us are sick to death of Wall st. greed, but that didn't start on Obama's watch. We are 62 days into this new Presidency. Lets see how things are in 2 years.Act like reasonable people and give the guy a chance.

frank sullivan of MA 8:09PM March 22, 2009