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Here's why Obama on The Tonight Show was so historic - VIDEO
by Joel Keller, posted Mar 20th 2009 8:44AM
As I was watching President Obama chat with Jay Leno last night, one thought kept crossing my mind: how unusual it was to see a current president sitting in the same chair as David Spade. It's just odd and somewhat disconcerting to see the man who's the supposed leader of the free world engaging in lighthearted banter with Jay, and responding to the audience when it cheered or booed something. During the third segment, I almost expected to see the flat screen TV behind Jay pop up so they could show a clip from Obama's latest project.
And that's why the appearance was so historic. It doesn't matter how many times a president goes on a talk show before or after he's in office; while in office, pretty much all interviews go to him. It doesn't matter what show it is; it could be a Sunday morning issues show like Meet The Press or a twinkie-fest like Larry King Live. But in just about every case, the interviewer goes to wherever the president is and sits down with him for a quiet, reverent interview.
Something about respecting the "dignity" of the office always meant that any interview had to be done at a time and place of the current president's (or, more accurately, his staff's) choosing. So, even though Senator and candidate Obama looked completely natural sitting next to Jay six or so months ago, President Obama looked odd sitting on that set. It's all context; it's the same man, just with a new job. But it's the office that gives whoever's in it a different stature.
As far as the content of the conversation, there was really nothing more substantive than what you've heard Obama say on those evening news soundbites; as Danny mentioned the other day, Leno's not exactly Edward R. Murrow. He joked around about how unimpressed his daughters were about being on Marine One, and talked about the arrival of the new dog for the umpteenth time. But most of the conversation kept to the dire state of the economy and the AIG bonus kerfuffle.
To Obama's credit, he was as smooth and comfortable as he's always been, and knows how to deal with a late-night audience. He acted no differently than he did when he was a candidate (OK, he wore a tie this time around. But that's it).
Maybe this is the beginning of a new trend; Obama might be the first president to see the value of the late-night shows and the size of the audience they can reach. He might also realize that it's absurd to use these shows for all they're worth when you're running for office, then ignore them as soon as your inaugurated, as his predecessors have.
But still... it just seems weird to realize that in a few weeks, Vin Diesel will be given the same treatment when he comes on the show to promote Fast and Furious.
Here's video of Obama's appearance if you missed it:
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