NYT gives thumbs-up review of 44's Leno appearance, doesn't make big deal out of small gaffe

[ClarkUSA]

Alessandra Stanley says "President Obama didn’t look burdened by his office on “The Tonight Show” on Thursday; he seemed bemused." :)

As he described the problems of American International Group and the credit crisis to Jay Leno, Mr. Obama behaved less like a beleaguered president than the head of a peacekeeping mission in Bosnia reporting back to the main office -- concerned and engaged, but intent on maintaining his professional distance and neutrality.... But overall Mr. Obama, the first sitting president to be a guest on “The Tonight Show,” delivered a familiarly smooth, winning performance in an unfamiliar setting – a fireside chat for the flat screen age.

Presidents have tested the dignity of their office on television in the past, of course, but rarely so early in their tenure... Town hall meetings and West Wing news conferences do not convey the notion that the president is one of us. Making jokes on a talk show and drawing simple analogies for complicated issues -- which he did with great skill as a candidate – were a way to reassure and befriend viewers. The White House tapped Mr. Leno because he is viewed as the voice of the average Joe. At times, Mr. Obama managed to out-everyman Mr. Leno. “I do think in Washington it’s a little bit like `American Idol," Mr. Obama said with a grin. “Except everybody is Simon Cowell.”

And that desire to bond with ordinary viewers explains why Mr. Obama went on the show with so little fanfare or presidential ceremony. The President didn’t pre-empt Mr. Leno’s customary opening monologue and routine about wacky oddities...The band played “Hail to the Chief” as Mr. Obama walked out, but like any other guest, he shook hands with the band leader, Kevin Eubanks... he spoke informally, joking about the strange restrictions imposed by the Secret Service and noting that on Marine One, the presidential helicopter, his daughters were most awed by the dish of Starburst candies.


He had one impolitic moment when trying to make a self-deprecating joke about his bowling score of 129, saying, "That was like the Special Olympics or something." But mostly he stayed benign and folksy even while discussing the need to undo bonuses, fix banks and regulate credit card rates.

Barack did a good job, by all accounts outside of DU. Stanley is a tough reviewer, as anyone who has read her past campaign trail stories knows. Nice to know that political news professionals like her aren't interested in the latest GDP poutrage.