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Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)

50. Ford did SNL while in office, and Nixon did Laugh In. FDR had Fireside chats....

Wed Apr 25, 2012, 11:59 AM

Apr 2012

The only Presidents in my lifetime with the skill set needed to do the talk show format well and with dignity are this President and President Clinton. I do not recall Clinton doing so while in office. He rocked Arsenio Hall's show as candidate, of course.
I hope that the GOP nominee feels pressured to try the talk shows. Rmoney would stink up the most generous couch and fall as flat as the crepes he dined on as a young missionary in his Paris mansion.
Talk shows are hard. Obama has all the chops. There are great actors and wonderful comics who die the death on those shows and they know it. The President does them really, really well.

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Correct me if I'm wrong, but I can't remember the last time a sitting president.... [View all] pepperbear Apr 2012 OP

Nixon on Laugh In selling the 'sock it to me' policy. deminks Apr 2012 #1

I'll admit customerserviceguy Apr 2012 #2

I think you're mistaken. drm604 Apr 2012 #28

It was before the 1968 election bigbrother05 Apr 2012 #32

I just looked it up and you're correct. drm604 Apr 2012 #34

Actually, you are both correct. While the above clip was done as a candidate, deminks Apr 2012 #36

I think the later appearance is the one I remembered. drm604 Apr 2012 #41

Yet Humphrey was on SOME comedy show. Help me out here. RufusTFirefly Apr 2012 #70

I remember Humphrey being on Pat Paulsen's VERY short lived show. MarianJack Apr 2012 #91

Thanks!! n/t RufusTFirefly Apr 2012 #101

At that time... ewagner Apr 2012 #6

Shewwt. Compared to Reagan and George W., Nixon was a Teletubby. nt stevenleser Apr 2012 #61

Was that a policy? I never understood what it meant. eShirl Apr 2012 #11

"Sock it to me" was... reACTIONary Apr 2012 #98

This President.... A wise Man Apr 2012 #38

IMHO, Obama was a "cool dude" while the Rethugs exposed themselves for who and what they are. AnotherMcIntosh Apr 2012 #52

I notice that those that criticize him on the right... progressivebydesign Apr 2012 #82

It was awkward. Yet he was not as bad as Romney. At least you knew who he was and what he stood for. The Wielding Truth Apr 2012 #58

I'm glad he is not a stuffed shirt HipChick Apr 2012 #3

+1000 AsahinaKimi Apr 2012 #13

He draws huge crowds and gets standing ovations all the time, tblue37 Apr 2012 #4

"The Barackness Monster ain't buying it" Ohio Joe Apr 2012 #5

the best line!! DesertRat Apr 2012 #60

how bout; Stop the loan you save may be your own! I only caught it the second time around. robinlynne Apr 2012 #74

That was beyond awesome. JNelson6563 Apr 2012 #7

Thank heavens for Jimmy Fallon, Jon Stewart, Colbert, Letterman... hlthe2b Apr 2012 #8

They can have a nice discussion about car elevators. Liberal Veteran Apr 2012 #66

I demand equal time for Romney lame54 Apr 2012 #9

OMG that would funny awful not funny funny! LynneSin Apr 2012 #18

Too funny. JoePhilly Apr 2012 #10

At least I got to live during the coolest Presidents of all times term madokie Apr 2012 #12

Yeah, he's cool. VWolf Apr 2012 #15

You made me laugh madokie Apr 2012 #39

K&R for President Cool Cat n/t beac Apr 2012 #14

The POTUS with the MOTUS... Madmiddle Apr 2012 #16

That was great! K&R n/t myrna minx Apr 2012 #17

brilliant, beautiful! Whisp Apr 2012 #19

Gerald Ford Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin Apr 2012 #20

THE MAN marshall gaines Apr 2012 #21

You don't remember EC Apr 2012 #22

"He's the POTUS with the most-us!" Skinner Apr 2012 #23

And R-money thinks he's gonna get the "youth vote" Bake Apr 2012 #24

SO COOL! I wonder if their connection came from this...? FailureToCommunicate Apr 2012 #25

that was CUTE! renate Apr 2012 #63

I never thought I would see a FLOTUS in a potato sack race lol steve2470 Apr 2012 #69

Malia, Sasha and Barack are SO lucky! FailureToCommunicate Apr 2012 #71

THE most awesome thing I have EVER seen Autumn Apr 2012 #26

The dropped mic a-la Chris Rock sharp_stick Apr 2012 #27

Just like this! JBoy Apr 2012 #33

Mittens will try to do this too. The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2012 #29

Maybe he'll get a part on Leno's "Jaywalking" skit LastLiberal in PalmSprings Apr 2012 #87

This is also brilliant as a pre-counter tactic DaDeacon Apr 2012 #30

The conversation will continue like this: The Velveteen Ocelot Apr 2012 #37

Funny Stuff Ocelot! ProfessorGAC Apr 2012 #49

This might be the greatest DUZY ever....nt msanthrope Apr 2012 #62

LOL! SammyWinstonJack Apr 2012 #84

All you needed was to add in the Fonz.......... Smilo Apr 2012 #85

The Village People's nerdy dad! ROFL! saras Apr 2012 #96

Well played sir!!! DaDeacon Apr 2012 #107

+1! uponit7771 Apr 2012 #112

Bwha ha ha ha ha..... MountainMama Apr 2012 #109

What President Obama did is no different than sarge43 Apr 2012 #31

I would like to see a parody BootinUp Apr 2012 #35

Stand by; SNL might. nt babylonsister Apr 2012 #86

FDR's fireside chats randr Apr 2012 #40

The whole show was amazing Iwillnevergiveup Apr 2012 #42

Not every POTUS could do this! colorado_ufo Apr 2012 #43

I think you are right. Whisp Apr 2012 #44

I do believe I'm going to watch this video at least 5 times. the best. robinlynne Apr 2012 #45

Yeah, because being "cool" is all that matters. Beacool Apr 2012 #46

Came here to post: "Um, Clinton on Arsenio???". Thanks for the clip. nt Romulox Apr 2012 #47

I was pretty young then, but I was so impressed with this couple. Beacool Apr 2012 #48

Currently, he's on Celebrity Apprentice. nt Hatchling Apr 2012 #51

Thank you for the info. Beacool Apr 2012 #55

he's a pig OKNancy Apr 2012 #89

Wow, that's not the Arsenio that I remember. Beacool Apr 2012 #93

Clinton wasn't pitching a policy to its relevant demographic, tblue37 Apr 2012 #72

That's a rather specific framing; both were campaigning. nt Romulox Apr 2012 #78

Yes. He was a candidate. It was around the time of the Democratic primaries in '92, I believe. Drunken Irishman Apr 2012 #110

Wow. one_voice Apr 2012 #54

My feelings exactly. Lilyeye Apr 2012 #73

*snort Whisp Apr 2012 #65

Only to some people. Beacool Apr 2012 #77

I sometimes feel bad giving you a hard time, Beacool Whisp Apr 2012 #79

Nah, it's fun to raise the hackles of the true believers. Beacool Apr 2012 #90

Hate much? TIA uponit7771 Apr 2012 #67

none of which come even close to this! robinlynne Apr 2012 #75

My point was that candidates and presidents were using TV to campaign in the 20th century. Beacool Apr 2012 #92

You should watch this interview! BillyJack Apr 2012 #94

I did not see one poster claim "being cool" is all that matters. JNelson6563 Apr 2012 #99

Yup. It's exactly the same. Except it's NOT! Tarheel_Dem Apr 2012 #105

Yes, we get it - you hate Obama... Drunken Irishman Apr 2012 #111

Save your snide remarks for someone who cares. Beacool Apr 2012 #113

You're a broken fucking record... Drunken Irishman Apr 2012 #114

Feel better? Beacool Apr 2012 #115

Ford did SNL while in office, and Nixon did Laugh In. FDR had Fireside chats.... Bluenorthwest Apr 2012 #50

Love it! Someone on his staff is brilliant at publicizing, and he's smart enough to play. nolabear Apr 2012 #53

It was funny as heck! Iliyah Apr 2012 #56

That was... ut oh Apr 2012 #57

I don't know how he kept a straight face. GoCubsGo Apr 2012 #59

I lost it at Thav Apr 2012 #64

The BarakNess Monster! Gold Metal Flake Apr 2012 #68

I totally want a t-shirt of that... n/t progressivebydesign Apr 2012 #81

Underscores the fact Obama is cool and Mittens is not. DCBob Apr 2012 #76

Favorite comment today about it... "he does NOT represent the late night people..." progressivebydesign Apr 2012 #80

Okay that was awesome! Rex Apr 2012 #83

Here's that YouTube video he referred to LastLiberal in PalmSprings Apr 2012 #88

DING DING DING! TlalocW, you're our grand prize winner! rocktivity Apr 2012 #95

Hannity is throwing a kicking, screaming tantrum over this, so that bullwinkle428 Apr 2012 #97

Then it's even better! Thanks for the news of Inshanity's meltdown. freshwest Apr 2012 #106

Regardless of where Obama or Romney appear, Marie Marie Apr 2012 #100

the man has major game Botany Apr 2012 #102

+1. Love that pic. Tarheel_Dem Apr 2012 #103

What hole are you living in! burrowowl Apr 2012 #104

2 2 good : ) april Apr 2012 #108