The random political thoughts thread (Part Deux) - Page 403

Alex · 03-16-2009, 10:33 AM

So long as he is making himself available to more serious journalists then I don't really have a problem with it. If it is just an attempt to marginalize press more likely to ask him tough questions, then I do.

Another message board discussed this recently (Presidents on non-news TV, particularly late night) and all we could come with were:

Gerald Ford appeared in on the April 17, 1976 episode of Saturday Night Live, which was hosted by his press secretary.

Gore was on Letterman during his "Reinventing Government" campaign (I remember him wearing goggles and smashing something on Dave's desk). Bu

Nancy Reagan appeared in an episode of Diff'rent Strokes as part of her "Just Say No" campaign.

George W. Bush appeared in an episode of Deal or No Deal last year in support of an Iraq War veteran playing the game.

JWBear · 03-16-2009, 12:15 PM

Don't forget Nixon appeared on Laugh-In...

Alex · 03-16-2009, 12:19 PM

Yes, but that was before (September 1968) he was president, while still campaigning. Humphrey declined a similar invitation and joked that it cost him the election.

innerSpaceman · 03-16-2009, 01:58 PM

I doubt Obama's doing it to avoid hard question, but rather to find a more mainstream route to tout his budget to the public. It's meeting with stance Congressional opposition, and I applaud him for taking any steps to push it through.

Though I admit, this strikes me as pretty undignified.

Not Afraid · 03-16-2009, 02:06 PM

I love that he's breaking "rules".

BarTopDancer · 03-16-2009, 02:09 PM

Didn't Bush Sr. appear on SNL during the Dana Carvey days?

wendybeth · 03-16-2009, 02:21 PM

I think the fact that Leno is retiring might have something to do with it as well. I don't have a problem at all with any President going on TV shows- I know it's common practice with leaders elsewhere in the world, and I don't see how it diminishes the office in any way. I think we've already established that he and his wife are fairly normal people (Gasp! Didn't he appear without a jacket in the Oval office?) and what better way to connect with the public than on the Tonight Show? I never watch it, but I'll be sure to tune in to this one.

Ghoulish Delight · 03-16-2009, 02:17 PM

That was '94, after he'd left office.

Alex · 03-16-2009, 02:53 PM

Yes, he did appear on SNL but it was in 1994 after he was no longer president.

ETA: Whoops didn't realize I was looking at old version of page.

Alex · 03-16-2009, 02:56 PM

Not even Obama is enough to make me watch The Tonight Show (I don't know that Conan is enough).

But so long as he is just doing a mildly amusing interview then I'm generally ok with it. If he performs in a skit then I'll find it undignified (not for the man but for the office).

03-16-2009, 10:33 AM	#1
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	So long as he is making himself available to more serious journalists then I don't really have a problem with it. If it is just an attempt to marginalize press more likely to ask him tough questions, then I do. Another message board discussed this recently (Presidents on non-news TV, particularly late night) and all we could come with were: Gerald Ford appeared in on the April 17, 1976 episode of Saturday Night Live, which was hosted by his press secretary. Gore was on Letterman during his "Reinventing Government" campaign (I remember him wearing goggles and smashing something on Dave's desk). Bu Nancy Reagan appeared in an episode of Diff'rent Strokes as part of her "Just Say No" campaign. George W. Bush appeared in an episode of Deal or No Deal last year in support of an Iraq War veteran playing the game.
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03-16-2009, 12:15 PM	#2
JWBear Worn Romantic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 8,435	Don't forget Nixon appeared on Laugh-In... __________________ Unrestrained frivolity will lead to the downfall of modern society.
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03-16-2009, 12:19 PM	#3
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Yes, but that was before (September 1968) he was president, while still campaigning. Humphrey declined a similar invitation and joked that it cost him the election.
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03-16-2009, 01:58 PM	#4
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	I doubt Obama's doing it to avoid hard question, but rather to find a more mainstream route to tout his budget to the public. It's meeting with stance Congressional opposition, and I applaud him for taking any steps to push it through. Though I admit, this strikes me as pretty undignified.
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03-16-2009, 02:06 PM	#5
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I love that he's breaking "rules".
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03-16-2009, 02:09 PM	#6
BarTopDancer Prepping... Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Here, there, everywhere Posts: 11,405	Didn't Bush Sr. appear on SNL during the Dana Carvey days? __________________ Spork is the new MacGyver Postcards From My Edge
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03-16-2009, 02:21 PM	#7
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I think the fact that Leno is retiring might have something to do with it as well. I don't have a problem at all with any President going on TV shows- I know it's common practice with leaders elsewhere in the world, and I don't see how it diminishes the office in any way. I think we've already established that he and his wife are fairly normal people (Gasp! Didn't he appear without a jacket in the Oval office?) and what better way to connect with the public than on the Tonight Show? I never watch it, but I'll be sure to tune in to this one. __________________
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03-16-2009, 02:17 PM	#8
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	That was '94, after he'd left office. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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03-16-2009, 02:53 PM	#9
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Yes, he did appear on SNL but it was in 1994 after he was no longer president. ETA: Whoops didn't realize I was looking at old version of page.
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03-16-2009, 02:56 PM	#10
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Not even Obama is enough to make me watch The Tonight Show (I don't know that Conan is enough). But so long as he is just doing a mildly amusing interview then I'm generally ok with it. If he performs in a skit then I'll find it undignified (not for the man but for the office).
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