[Newsbot]

Filibuster Cartoons
Title: The People's President (click to view)
Date: March 27, 2009
So President Obama was a guest the Jay Leno show this week. He gave a good-humored performance some critics have likened to that of a "sitcom dad" — witty yet square.

The question is, why? What did he have to gain from the apperance? The American presidency has not-too-arguably been further cheapened from the encounter (which I know was not a first for a sitting president), but it's hard to see what the resulting benefit was.

Would it surprise you to see Obama appear in a Pepsi ad someday? It wouldn't surprise me...

[Skyline3092]

Hi, I've been a long time reader of Filibuster, and I think it's a great, balanced source of political commentary. A lot better than what I could find anywhere here in Flint, MI.

I think you hit the nail right on the head with this one. I personally thought he was cheapening the presidency when he went to Florida and told the people there about how they were going to receive some tax credit for education and housing. As soon as he said that and after the thunderous applause he got, I likened him to a game show host that has just told the contestants what they had just won behind door number one.

Point being, the guy needs to get the hell off the campaign trail and into the White House. It's like he has some whacked out, bizzarro form of PTSD where he constantly is reliving going from state to state and appearing on different shows to "bring himself closer to the people", rather than fulfilling his position as President of the United States. Methinks he's trying to avoid the place in whatever way he can.

Anyway, keep up the great work! I really do hope to see more witty stuff like this.

[travior]

I must agree that it cheapens the office a bit. But more than that, I cannot help but think about the extra costs associated with such appearences. We, the taxpayers, had to cough up the cash for him to fly Air Force One from DC to California to be on a late night talk show. Didn't he just finish blasting the Big 3 execs for doing the same thing?

[Kjorteo]

Hey, it's me! Well, I try not to look that curmudgeony in real life, but it's not like I don't have my moments, so hey.

I was completely unaware of any of this until reading the cartoon just now, though, so I can't really comment on it. I guess if I had to discuss, in theory, the idea of Obama doing a show like Leno these days, I would have to concede that I don't really see much of a point to it, since it brings up logistical problems like security issues and why he's on Leno instead of working on fixing the country, without getting that much in return. (Exposure? He's not campaigning, and even as a sitting President in the middle of the bailout controversy, his approval rating is already pretty high.) I don't really see it as cheapening or counterproductive or anything, just...kind of pointless.

[LionelHutz]

Wasn't this all part of President Obama's media blitz, where he has used most every outlet possible, to build support among the American people for his upcoming underreported budget?

[JJ]

The president of the United States has the ability to force TV networks to give him primo prime time slots in which to speak directly to the American people. So it's not like he's hard up for ways to get his message out.

Also, the in-joke in this comic is that the two guys speaking are Kjorteo and Psudo from this forum.

[Chumley]

Perhaps he is still trying to connect strongly with the people.
He won the election, but he won it as a man for the people.
Maybe he thinks if he disappears into the white house and does not retain some "common man" visiblety to the voters, he will lose the support he has gotten from this connection.

[ramzafft1]

I'm another long-time reader posting for the (relatively) first time, so it kind of makes me sad that it's to disagree when there have been so many cartoons I agree with.

I feel that the media blitz is justified due to the sheer volume of options out there. While it is true that the president can have TV networks give him prime time slots, this is only true of the so-called "Big Four" networks and, of course, the news channels. Seeing as the Big Four have had an increasingly small share of the prime time audience (As reported by TIME magazine this week, no less), it makes logical sense that he would go through as many outlets as possible to increase visibility. I, for one, applaud his efforts to go out and be seen as opposed to a certain former president who shall remain nameless...

[Zipperfish]

Quote:

Would it surprise you to see Obama appear in a Pepsi ad someday? It wouldn't surprise me...

I thought Obama was more of a coke man.

[Donny_Brasco]

I think engaging more Americans by taking opportunities like Leno to do so is a good idea.

Obama and the President's office is not a king to be worshiped at his palice. He is the highest ranking public official and he is responsible and acountabe to the American people.

He should be doing more of this.

[Donny_Brasco]

Zipperfish wrote:

Quote:

Would it surprise you to see Obama appear in a Pepsi ad someday? It wouldn't surprise me...

I thought Obama was more of a coke man.

Bush must have left him some...

[Kjorteo]

JJ wrote:

Also, the in-joke in this comic is that the two guys speaking are Kjorteo and Psudo from this forum.

I was wondering if the other one was Psudo. I figured it would be a thoughtful and completely awesome touch if it was, but I didn't want to assume or anything. Well, even better, then!

[Amilam]

The point was obviously Obama was trying a lighthearted fireside chat and he knew it was a safe interview where he could get his message across to the largest audience possible. I find it amusing that Conservatives have no issue with Bush's major right wing media days (far more expensive than a plane flight), but that this somehow cheapens the presidency.

As the President part of his responsibilities are trying to reassure the people about the state of the economy and play the national phyciatrist of sorts.

[Geryon]

What I'll say about this is limited, as I did not see the segment. It certainly can be construed as cheapening the presidency however the intended affect was clear. As has already been mentioned, whether one agrees with it or not, Obama has been characterized as a man of the people and although appearing on Leno is certainly appearing on a pulpit I believe that many people view it as a lower one than a presidential address and thereby seems to keep him closer to the people.

[Kerozine]

Least he isn't doing it in a foreign country..