Nixon made those very short appearances on Laugh-In back in the 70s. That always seemed a little un-Presidential to me.

And then from Gibbs:
'We don't look at it as a process of demonstrating the President's sense of humor,' he said.

Which is a pretty good thing because I'm not sure he really has any.

"Maybe next he'll do a guest spot on "WildBoyz" to catch the all important 18-24 imbecile demographic. "

Nope. He will be appearing on the show "JACKASS". He is a natural and doesnt need his teleprompter.

"He has given a live TV address to the nation, regular press conferences and even broadcast messages on YouTube."

This ain't enough apparently.

"Leno's show has five million viewers each night, but NBC executives are hoping to double that figure for the 10-minute appearance of the President."

There! That oughta do it. Ten minutes on Leno will surely make it perfectly clear that this bill, which has already passed and only been examined "after the fact", is/was absolutely necessary.

Good post Shawn.

The President is heavily invested in distraction now that people are actually paying attention.

Everyone's entitled to his opinion, I guess.

Interesting that NBC figures an Obama appearance will DOUBLE the Tonight Show ratings. Why do you think that is, Mr Mallow?

I for one was a little embarrassed when Bush was caught on tape, talking with his mouth full, crumbs spewing, yelling, "Yo, Blair!" and "Syria needs to get Hezbollah to stop this shit." Not to mention the Merkel neckrub, the Harriett Miers nomination, the fake cowboy act (he's AFRAID OF HORSES), and the pious born-again schtick. But that's just me. You're free to be embarrased by whatever embarrasses you.

It seems entirely appropriate and not ironic that the current President sees fit to explain his economic policies to the nation on a late night comedy show.

President Teleprompter knows his Shiny Happy TV People are losing their faith in his illusion.

NBC is providing a little polish for the drones who desperately need a little entertainment to shine up their celebrity star.

I find it quite entertaining to watch the desperate attach themselves to an illusion.

Funny Bruce that you in no way were embarassed by Obama for his consideration in forcing vets to pay for their own medical coverage so he can free up some money, and then to say he supports the troops?

Not embarassed that Obama couldn't find pork to cut, but rather decided wounded troops were better revenue streams?

Not embarassed that Obama, AT A PARTY, this asshole still needs a teleprompter...and then still manages to screw that up?

Not embarassed that Obama nominated and stated a tax-cheat was the only one to get out of the mess and now we find he helped complicate this mess...while still having Obama's full confidence?

Not embarassed that Obama has nominated several tax-cheats?

Not embarassed that Obama would feign outrage while taking AIG campaign cash...and not return it?

Yeah, I am sure you are fine with it all, especially the idea of forcing wounded vets to pay for their medical requirements...

I'm sure he'll inject some revisionist history into his spiel Thursday, claiming that the problems with the AIG bonuses were the result of the Bush administration

Drinking game centered around the word "inherit" and any word with that as a base, anyone?

Leno is actually a very appropriate, almost perfect setting for Obama to "be pushing his economic rescue plan for America", considering the fact that the idea that Obama's Marxist wet dream policies will do anything to stimulate the economy is a joke.

Henry: "Interesting that NBC figures an Obama appearance will DOUBLE the Tonight Show ratings. Why do you think that is, Mr Mallow?"

Probably because guys like you and Chris Matthews will never pass an opportunity to get a tingle up your legs and there might be about 5 million of you in the world.

In a related story, retailers are reporting a surge in Jergins Lotion sales since Obama's appearance on Leno was announced.

As far as I know, Nixon only appeared on Laugh-In once, and even then he wasn't president, but was running for president. Can't say I care for a sitting president appearing on a variety show. Makes me think that he's either a) unserious or b) unwilling to face tough questions.

If I were in Leno's shoes, I would arrange for an actual journalist to be the surprise guest host, either in person or via video. Rather than swinging at Leno's creampuffs, I'd love to see a Obama -- or any politician for that matter -- caught by surprise and face tough questions when he's not expecting it.

HAs anyone gotten a reaction from Larry King on this one? Up till now he has been the democrats goto guy for the softball questions. He cant be happy about Leno taking his job.

Many people don't really watch a great deal of news or CNN or FOX, so the TONIGHT SHOW is probably the most accessible form of media for the President to address the public with and maintain his public connection. Hopefully this will inspire future presidents to maintain a similar public connection in this way. This is just a new use of the media.

so the TONIGHT SHOW is probably the most accessible form of media for the President to address the public with and maintain his public connection.

Yeah Paul, nothing is more accessible that a comedy talk show airing at 11:30 PM ET! Stop blindly making excuses for your "messiah."

Did everyone forget Bill Clinton playing the saxophone on one of the late night shows?

Too many other channels, Paul - things aren't the same as they were in the '60s or '70s when the Tonight Show had pretty much a lock on late-night TV. (Hey, when you only had 3 networks to choose from, you took what you could get.)

Now? Obama on Leno's forecast to get ONLY 10 mil? That'd be roughly a third of what the Tonight Show in Carson's time would do - and his most-watched episode had 50 mil.

Like I said - too many other channels...

Lulu --

IIRC, didn't Clinton only do the late-night saxophone bit while a presidential candidate?

Celebrity In Chief. 'nuff said.

Well no one has ever accused Obama of having any class. As far as he's concerned, he's got nothing to lose. When will he 'get his message across via Kute Katie, Keith Olbermann or Chrissy Matthews?

Oh yeah, I clearly remember watching CANDIDATE Clinton on Arsenio. That was during my junior year in high school and I watched Arsenio every night.

I miss "The Dog Pound."

Too bad the Gong Show isn't still around. Maybe he'll go on Jerry Springer next.

Meh, I'm not outraged by this. Didn't Clinton go on some stupid MTV show where he was famously asked if he wore boxers or briefs -- and he answered? And Newt went on the same show sometime later and was asked the same question, and he immediately rebuked the kid for asking such a stupid question.

Ah, but was he a sitting president at the time?

It is also the chance for politicians to appear less serious by cracking jokes with the host.

This is Obama's element. It is the perfect audience for him.

Have you seen "Jaywalkers"?

Did everyone forget Bill Clinton playing the saxophone on one of the late night shows?

Lucky Obama. He dosn't need an instrument to blow.

He already does.

Like it or not (and I assuredly do not), we live in the Age of Entertainment. Therefore, Obama going on late night TV is to be expected. If McCain had won the election, he'd probably be doing the same thing.

We should be thankful they're not turning the presidency into a reality TV series.

"We should be thankful they're not turning the presidency into a reality TV series."

Wasn't that what the election was? Most photogenic - OBAMA! Most eloquent - OBAMA! Most promises - OBAMA! Best performance - OBAMA!

But after the credits roll? After the inauguration? Hell, they don't even allow the cameramen in the door...

They've served their purpose - the ratings were good, now the journalists can go under the bus with the rest of the syncophants who've outlived their purpose.

Is there an approved list of what programs are OK for elected officials to appear on and what ones aren't?

Could someone provide a list so I can gt my outrage in sync with the rest of the country?

Will Obama and Leno share or have seperate teleprompters?

Just think about this for a second: The President of the United States is doing a variety show. He is an ever-increasing embarrassment to this country.

Besides, barack hussein obama would have to go a lot further to "dumb down" the presidency than appearing on Leno.

The precedence was set long ago and oddly enough by someone obama has been compared to.