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Obama on Leno- How do you think he did? (video)

UPDATE 3/21/09: Here’s a link that “jax” from the comments below provided. I do think it’s a good read as you formulate your position surround Obama’s joke about his bowling game and the Special Olympics.

from the blog But As For Me: Vigilance is a Price of Liberty- http://tinyurl.com/ccz6nj

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Barack Obama spent time with Jay Leno last night. Below is the full interview.

“Obama on Leno: What are risks? rewards?”

Was this a smart move for Obama?

How do you feel Obama handled the discussion of AIG?

What do you think was Obama’s shining moment on Leno last night?

I thought Barack handled himself well. He has a gift for breaking down complex issues in laymen’s terms which helps the viewing audience at large understand what’s going on in this economic climate. He was witty at the right moments. Above all, I’m still impressed by Obama’s ability to remain grounded even after he’s taken the office. I know people are jumping on the Special Olympics comment that Obama made in reference to his bowling ability. I genuinely don’t think he meant that maliciously, although in hindsight, he may realize it was a poor choice of words.

8 Responses to "Obama on Leno- How do you think he did? (video)"

jax says:

March 21, 2009 at 2:07 am

He has hurt many families in America. He needs to say he is sorry in the public, not to an organization.

In addition, someone who claims to have experienced prejudice and stereotypes throughout life, and has written about them in great detail, should be more sensitive and refined from life’s lessons.

Furthermore, Obama claimed he was going to have the world think ‘highly’ of America again. Will this joke help?

For someone who spoke of equality as a creed. Does this joke match that philosophy?

For someone that said he would stand for all people. Does this stand up for those that participate in the Special Olympics?

The fact is Obama claimed a higher standard. To much is given, much is required.

Obama has just showed us that ‘yes we can’ destroy what a campaign stands for with a single joke.

During the campaign for the White House in 2008, the media criticized Palin for being ‘common,’ ‘not-polished,’ ‘not-compassionate’ and ‘not presidential.’ However, compare Sarah Palins attitude in this video created three weeks ago for the Special Olympics in Boise, Idaho.

You decide the more ‘presidential’ among them. Watch: http://tinyurl.com/ccz6nj
affrodite says:

March 21, 2009 at 8:01 am

@jax- Thanks for stopping by to comment. You present a well stated point of view. I agree that Obama messed up with the Special Olympics comment as I mention at the end of my post, but I don’t think it automatically makes Sarah Palin more “presidential”. From your link (which I will post in my main post as well…thank you), he has since apologized to the Special Olympics and has supported the events in the past with Michelle. It was an even stronger argument in the article where they show the Special Olympics bowler Koler who has bowled a perfect game on several occasion.

As you say “To much is given, much is required.” I think this was a reminder to Obama, who prides himself in being the everyday guy but also happens to be the brilliant President, that he needs to be careful because he is now America’s example. He was indeed the one who had us chanting “Yes, we can” and his statement, even in jest, went against that.

I still believe in him as our President, and I feel he’ll take the right steps to make a more public apology. We’ve had to forgive so many public figures as well as ourselves for very similar moments in life. In my own experience, I remember jokingly and innocently saying to my team at work one time “ok, kiddies…” something I say all the time, but someone took offense because they thought it was disrespectful. I was hurt at first because I say it all the time, and had never thought of them as children literally, but I learned the same lesson that Obama’s learning. When you are in positions of leadership the bar is raised and you just have to be careful about everything you say.

From Jay Leno’s standpoint as a late night talk show host, it’s a feather in his cap because it means he had Obama so comfortable like they were sitting at home drinking beers together. I didn’t watch Jay Leno the next night, so I don’t know if he made a statement on Obama’s behalf or about the situation.

So, while I don’t embrace wholeheartedly your viewpoint, I do respect it and do think that Obama can recover from this moment.

Thanks again for stopping by my blog. I like what you have to say, so hopefully I’ll see you again in another post or to continue on with this one.
Cindy Figueroa says:

March 21, 2009 at 9:48 pm

I think Obama appearing on Leno was below his paygrade. Obama is a liar! He says one thing and does another i.e. Earmarks, Defense of Marriage Act, Fairness Doctrine. He is a smooth talker and a shaky walker. Black people especially, need to investigate what Obama’s agenda really is.
SolidMastery says:

March 22, 2009 at 5:56 am

After reading Cindy’s call for Black people, I did a little digging and stumbled upon http://tinyurl.com/cl9mcq.

I think I’m a black person, so I did, in fact, investigate.

Being that I am black, my brain requires assistance in order to disassemble what I saw…so please, Cindy, help me.

Let us start some dialogue on the Obama Deception.
Vanessa says:

March 22, 2009 at 8:59 pm

I don’t think he hurt himself; I think he showed that he is human. The intent of his comments were understood and he apologized before the show even aired.

While it’s possible to consider President Obama’s remarks a gaffe, we know that he has a kind heart. Some folks just want to find a reason to criticize him when he’s inherited tremendous problems to overcome.

That being said, we all must play our part in making this country better. when the President or any other leader, for that matter, messes up; we must hold him or her accountable.
rbennu says:

March 22, 2009 at 9:27 pm

Really why do we bother with these type of conversations, 95% of the people land on a page like this and respond the way they voted cloaked in a thin veil of some watered down point. We pretend this is open conversation but in fact every letter I write is a waste because people don’t arrive with an open mind and it’s obvious by how they write.

@Cindy I’m sorry why do black people especially have to investigate Obama??? Are white people especially investigating why Bush said, “the fundamentals of the economy were sound”, are whites looking into the fact that while anyone with common sense knew we were in a recession the Bush administration said we were in an “economic slowdown” and I’m sure whites are looking into why McCain an alleged leader of the GOP and the Maverick that reaches across the isle did nothing regarding the first stimulus pacakage and has done nothing to create a bipartisan stimulus package that most of America can live with?

Regarding the questions of Obama on Leno, he seems bent on delivering the message that he can multitask and if that was his point then he succeeded, I didn’t watch it personally. He has a sense of humor and can be witty the problem with that is sometimes the words come out faster than the thought of everyone is gonna disect this. Bad move on his part, he should have known better and with such broad expectations the spotlight is brighter, it was well known that Bush would make quips about things that weren’t politically correct but it was “expected” and he didn’t decide to do it on primetime, always risk vs reward and when its impromptu there is always more risk. At the end of the day I don’t think it makes a difference, those looking for fault will find it and those that support will be able to forgive.
whatismyname says:

March 23, 2009 at 1:34 pm

Here we are, almost a week later, and the
“Special Olympics bowling” gaffe has largely blown over — and after the President’s solid showing on last night’s 60 Minutes, I don’t think it will be discussed again.

Obama just comes across as more intelligent, in control, and open minded than Bush did — and to me, that equals Presidential. He’s still a bit stiff, and no comedian, but he is definitely in charge. Let’s remember, he is 2 months into cleaning up this mess, and he is sure to make some mistakes along the way. The more I reflect on the previous 8 years, it just seems that Bush was in way over his head, and heavily influenced by his advisors (aka Cheney) in his decision making process.

BTW – I thought we were past the “black people/white people” arguments at this point. Don’t Republicans realize that this line of divisive conversation justifies the collective viewpoint that their party continues to be closed minded? I guess if being a moderate liberal that voted for Obama classifies me as “black” in the eyes of some Republicans, then so be it.

BTW, interesting (and funny) take on the Leno appearance here:

http://minivanmonologues.blogspot.com
aw (pronounced "A Dub") says:

March 31, 2009 at 7:31 pm

i luv prez obama!

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Was this a smart move for Obama?

How do you feel Obama handled the discussion of AIG?

What do you think was Obama’s shining moment on Leno last night?

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