Brief note: President Obama has already conversed with said fictional character while in office. He appeared by satellite on Colbert's first show from his week in Iraq (June 8, 2009). It was brief, and it wasn't an interview (he "commanded" General Ray Odierno to shave Stephen's head), but they did interact. Link: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/229768/june-08-2009/obama-orders-stephen-s-haircut---ray-odierno

Doesn't Obama have better things to do?

Obama could handle Colbert's deliberate attempts at making all politicians earn their right "to serve the people" I mean does anyone recall the Dick Sweat incident that Steward so wonderfully highlighted, Obama didn't even crack a smile or break into perspiration.

You're right about most of that. Well, not the "Obama takedown" thing. That went down as a rather uneventful political ploy and hasn't stopped the President's numbers from falling.

You are right about the President not conversing with fictional characters though, and that's what Colbert is. Now, I would argue that Stewart is still playing a character too. To a much less intense degree, but he certainly is in character on screen. Thus, I wouldn't want the President doing the Daily Show.

I would have hated to be in a Philosophy class with Colbert, he can argue like a freaking pro.

I think the real reason Obama won't go on Colbert is that Colbert, even as satire, does a relatively decent job of 2 things: Pointing out when conservatives are stupid, and pointing out when conservatives aren't actually conservative.

In the first instance, no problem for Obama, he'd probably enjoy some ribbing on conservatives.

In the second, however, comes the problem. See, the Republicans right now are pretty inept. I mean, the entire tea party movement is based in what should be conservative principles... smaller, restrained government that isn't intent on spending our money and all the money we'll make for the next 100 years in the next 2 weeks.

So, when Colbert makes fun of conservatives for not being conservative, he actually presents some of the most coherent and obvious and compelling conservative arguments to be made.... and Obama certainly couldn't show up and have Colbert ask questions in character that were actually important or pertinent. His conservative character would likely be more dangerous than anything John Boehner could come up with....

So, in sense, Gibbs is telling the truth. Colbert's fictional conservative pundit would be more direct and dangerous to Obama than anyone else... because Colbert, as a liberal in sheep's clothing, could really skewer the President... and if there's one thing they don't want, it's Obama looking stupid.