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Obama on Letterman Tonight
Here's sneak peak from Huffington Post.
Love this exchange:
Obama also had his most irreverent answer yet on the question of whether some of the vitriolic reaction to his health care plan is driven at least partly by racism.
"First of all, I think it's important to realize that I was actually black before the election," Obama said to huge laughs from Letterman and the audience.
Responded Letterman: "How long have you been a black man?"
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It's sad that we've reached a point where 'government service' is a dirty word... If we're the greatest country on earth, maybe we can have the greatest government.
Lewis Black
Limbaugh scheduled to be on his show Thursday night. As you said, that seems to be an odd experience to look forward to.
I loved the president's appearance on Letterman tonight. He got 14-15 more minutes to talk tonight than he did on the Sunday shows.
Hmmm... He lost weight... Stress from Obama presidency?
And here he goes right off the bat saying Obama isn't partisan. Why is he on the program? Is this an attempt for Jay to get viewers? Ugh... The crowd is cheering for things he's saying....
God, this is painful. All the talking point bulls*** none of the substance that's in the grey areas.
Now he's about to take Jay's green car challenge. For those who haven't seen it yet Jay is doing this thing where he has celebrities race on a time trial course with the electric ford focus. Well, it has obstacles and one of those obstacles is a cut out of Al Gore that you have to avoid. Will he try to avoid it? lol
I'll post the video(s) tomorrow for those wanting to test themselves on how long you can watch him talk.
You know how TV folks say "The camera adds 10 pounds"? The newfangled HD models subtract 50 pounds. Don't believe me? Ask Jon Stewart. ;)
All kidding aside, I think he got sick of being called "fat". There's also a recent study that suggests negative thoughts helps one lose weight.
----It's sad that we've reached a point where 'government service' is a dirty word... If we're the greatest country on earth, maybe we can have the greatest government.
Lewis Black
For those who want to test their stomachs: The Rush interview and Green Car challenge.
(ugh... disturbing reading all the wingnuts visiting the website praising Rush and thanking Jay for having him on. I understand trying to get viewers but this reach out to Rush still has me bothered because his followers are just as nasty and ignorant as he is)
Don't be afraid. You will probably like the numbers.
Jay Leno's numbers last night were a series low for his new time slot.
Competition was very heavy with new episodes of The Mentalist and Grey's Anatomy. Mentalist had a 10.0, Grey's had a 9.7, Leno was a distant third with a 3.9.
I find what Rep. Roy Blunt said very disturbing. I am not sure at this point if jokeing about the Racial issue is progressive, an wonder if it's not time Obama had a seriouse talk with America about Race? As you know Rep. Blunt is the second highest ranking GOP member of the House on Energy an Commerce. Before a very large GOP crowd he referred to Demacrates as being "Monkeys' running amok on a golf course. Bringing laughter also at the fact people like Al Franklin could possibly become a U.S. Senator. I am not sure sense this reverence of Monkeys stealing Golf Balls that came from the British when they were in India, and had racial undertone or if he was just calling Demacrates Sub human or if it was aimed at Obama. Al Franklin crack, an Delay danceing with the stares seemed to be throwen in as a after thought of what he had just said, to steer it away from the trueth of his words. I don't see where Obama jokeing about this behavior, will increasenly improve it, do you? I find this trend very disturbing an even dangerouse when the totting of the Guns begin, with the racial over tones! As much as I like this president, I don't think he realize's how tense this situation is getting? We are increaseingly hearing more of it here in Nebr. Heard two old republicans who said they needed to get all the brass they can together to make amonition, because that Black "N" of a president is going to limit the amount they can buy an take away some of their guns! there was no doubt as I continued to listen, that it was about Obama's Race, an what they are hearing from their GOP poitical leaders. They were very angry, an beside themself it seemed with fear they seem to be feeling at the time. It was very scary to listen to them, an hear an see so much of it every where you turn. I am at the point, where I feel jokeing about race, or trying to avoid it or brushing it asside, is just not accomplishing much to seattle this country down.
It's more Daily Show material than Letterman, though.
----It's sad that we've reached a point where 'government service' is a dirty word... If we're the greatest country on earth, maybe we can have the greatest government.
Lewis Black
I would stop supporting Obama immediately if that ever happened.
"If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind." ~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859
That's the point, Tin: He hasn't proposed anything and during his presidency there has been lifted resrictions on handguns instead of more restrictions.
I guess I have to question though, if what happened? New laws on responsibility with guns or just any sort of new restrictions? The ban thing I talked about was a joke on behalf of the far right crowd who keep saying their guns will be taken away, yet we've seen weaker restrictions the past few months rather than stronger restrictions.
I know that Obama won't "ban guns" and I'm happy about both the Supreme Court case Heller as well as the lifting of the ban of concealed carry in national parks.
As for "if what happened", that's an open-ended question. I do believe that firearms can be regulated in a limited manner, but that's a pretty large target and I would have to see what was what.
For example, I don't really have a problem with background checks but I am opposed to the banning of certain individual weapons. I am also opposed to restrictions on private sales, including those at gun shows. Gun dealers are already required to make background checks at gun shows. If someone is acting as a dealer but is posing as a private seller then there should already be severe penalties for that.
Heh. And now I'm way off topic.
I'm sad that I missed both Obama and Limbaugh on late night TV but I just don't stay up that late and I just haven't taken the time to view them on the web yet.
"If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person than he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind." ~John Stuart Mill, On Liberty, 1859
Emmy responses
Full Episodes
Barney Frank 10@10. Went better than I expected, he came off somewhat more likable than usual. The end is kind of weird. Here it is anyway. lol
President Obama gave David Letterman his highest ratings in 4 years. He beat Conan last night by a wide margin.
Also House last night had 16.5 million viewers and dominated the night with 18-49 year olds (demo advertisers care about).
Ratings should make Izzy happy.
Yes, thanks for that info Brandon!!
House was amazing. I only watched a few times last season but the premise is right up my alley in terms of intensity and heavy subject matter so I vowed to watch regularly this season.
That's terrific that Letterman had record ratings. Like I said, people I would not expect told me they stayed up way past their bedtime to watch.
As far as jupitor's comments, I think he is just weary of Obama making the topic of race too light-hearted with his "I've always been black" comments. I understand that but part of me feels like he is breaking the ice in simply opening up the dialogue so people aren't "afraid" to discuss it. Sure, there will be a time and place where serious conversation needs to go further, but this may be Obama's way of clearing the path for that.
Web Exclusive Obama's Top Ten reasons for appearing on Letterman
I found this and just watched it: Top Ten excuses for Joe Wilson.
The full interview isn't up yet, but if I remember to come back to it later, i'll post it when it's up.
This is great!!! Since I had to miss it, I'd love to see the full interview when it's ready. Thanks.
I was tired last night and went to sleep early, so I missed the entire Letterman/Obama interview. Could someone post the full interview once it's available?
I'd really appreciate it.
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...Well, for one thing it's easier. When you tell the truth you never have to remember later what you lied about. - Lwaxana Troi - Star Trek: The Next Generation 5x20 - "Cost of Living"
The full 31 minutes, 56 seconds of Obama on Letterman:
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It's sad that we've reached a point where 'government service' is a dirty word... If we're the greatest country on earth, maybe we can have the greatest government.
Lewis Black
President Obama's appearance on the Late Show attracted 7.218 million viewers, the New York Times reports.
Gee, amazing how someone so "over-exposed" can draw in the crowds!
I was watching some of the interview over again, and there was one section that was a bit chilling. Letterman asked a questions about the vitriolic protesters, etc., and the Prez mentioned that FDR, JFK, and Reagan had all faced protests and name-calling. The unspoken theme was that one was assassinated, one injured in an assassination attempt, and FDR was unhurt but someone else was killed in an assassination attempt. I wonder if anyone else thought about those facts also?