Although some “just-say-no” Republicans, Special Olympics families and venerators of presidential image disagreed, most observers generally thought it was a good idea for President Barack Obama to go on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”
Put me down as one of the naysayers. And make that the stodgy, office-of-the-president-should-be-above-a-late-night-comedy-show-turn category. (And for what it’s worth, David Letterman — he of the 5-year-old son, Harry — should have gotten married six years ago.) Terminally old school, I concede.
Granted, the president got exposure to a key demographic that wasn’t the MSNBC or even Letterman crowds. He got predictable questions lobbed up in a non-confrontational manner. By answering Leno, he talked directly to the American people without filter. He gave his take on the economy — and AIG BonusGate — and he showed charm and humor with some personal insights.
And blockbuster ratings – as predicted – sure enough resulted.
It was, arguably, an excellent forum for one who is articulate, charismatic and funny enough to have his own show.
And yet.
Obama came on right after the skit about all the odd crap you could find at a 99-cent store, including Jay’s favorite: a Jesus-on-a-cross keychain with an inexplicable reference to Betty Boop on the flip side. Then: “We’ll be right back with the president of the United States.”
But before the president could answer a question about AIG and the House’s 90 percent ex-post facto tax, an ill-timed commercial break pre-empted his initial response. Before Obama could answer that he understood Americans’ anger but had reservations about the constitutionality of the punitive tax, he and everyone else had to wait until a trailer for “I Love You, Man,” a tease to “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon,” a spot for Mississippi casinos, a commercial for AT&T and other stuff had played out.
Candidly, I like my presidents with an egalitarian touch, but the office – whether held by Obama or George W. Bush — deserves better than a Q&A interrupted by a Rogaine ad.
In short, context matters. A sitting president is not above the people, but he and his office should be above late night comedy rounds. No matter how well-honed his rhetorical skills, no matter how important his message.
And then there’s the issue of his “Special Olympics” remark. It’s, ironically, a byproduct of being comfortable in a breezy, off-the-cuff format. To work best, it must be informal and conversational. And funny always helps. Hence the president’s self-deprecating comment about his sorry bowling skills.
But there are no mulligans for presidents. There are no presidential asides or throw-away lines. Everything counts. Especially on national television. It’s another reason not to do a late-night banterfest. Fortunately, the president and Leno were quipping about bowling and not rendition or sharia – or the results wouldn’t have been labeled a mere gaffe.
There’s no lack of forums and venues for a president. They abound.
In fact, Leno could have pre-taped the Obama exchange, and had it shown — uninterrupted — over several nights. NBC wanted this ultimate “get.” The monologue slot could have been vacated for the president. And they could still have required Kevin Eubanks to wear that Secret Service-like suit.
No, you wouldn’t have gotten the live dynamic absent a studio audience, but that should be an acceptable quid pro quo to avoid commercial interruption and undignified juxtapositions, such as the Jesus/Betty Boop key chain and Obama.
Recall how we got here.
Slow going at first. Now the rush to relate is inexorable.
FDR never did a cameo on “Fibber McGee & Molly.” Fireside chats took him directly to the American people. They were dignified pep talks to a citizenry wary and worried about an economy in depression.
It wasn’t until John F. Kennedy that presidential politics took a quantum media leap. JFK went beyond the political-junkie fare of “Meet The Press” and “Face The Nation.” CANDIDATE Kennedy went on the old “Tonight Show” with Jack Paar. It was unprecedented, and it was hugely successful. Witty and telegenic played well, and Paar was notably deferential.
CANDIDATE Richard Nixon was later invited on to “Tonight” and even played the piano. He later brought his (“sock it to me”) CANDIDACY to Laugh-In. Eventually we had CANDIDATE Bill Clinton – “boxers or briefs?” – going on Arsenio Hall and playing safe sax.
Now we’ve seen A-List CANDIDATES such as John McCain who needed “The Late Show” more than David Letterman needed him. For the foreseeable future, we will have the obligatory, thrust-and-parry, presidential CANDIDATE mettle-detector that is “The Daily Show” with Jon Stewart. Who knew that Dennis Kucinich was such a hoot?
But back to Obama.
He’s the president. It might look like he’s campaigning, but he’s no longer a candidate. Context matters. Including the office that transcends its occupant.
But I’m glad President Obama is holding his press conferences in prime time.