# Obama to appear on Daily Show tonight **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 27, 2010, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513 "2010-10-27T13:24:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/41 "2010-10-28T13:30:50Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > Don’t worry. O’Reilly is a conniver. When the next Republican is elected President, he’ll be free to use the O’Reilly forum to give a free one-hour campaign commercial, under the guise of an “interview,” right before the mid-term election, too. > > And the liberals will cry “Foul!” And all those authors and actors who come on the show are just there because they want to chat with Jon, not because they have a book or show to plug? ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/42 "2010-10-28T13:41:26Z")
> [@Bosstone](#): > > And all those authors and actors who come on the show are just there because they want to chat with Jon, not because they have a book or show to plug? There are no election ethics laws in place for actors and authors, nor laws that dictate that televistion stations must offer equal air time for opposing television shows. There’s a difference between hawking a book or movie and trying to win an election. In theory, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/43 "2010-10-28T13:43:41Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > Oh, and he also shouldn’t get drunk at state dinners. :eek: Ya wanna suck **all** the fun out of the job?! Somewhere in America right now there’s a little boy or girl dreaming, “When I grow up, I want to blow chunks all over a foreign head of state!” ---
**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/44 "2010-10-28T15:17:19Z")
The show ran a few minutes long, so they had to cut [the original intro](http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-october-27-2010/exclusive---let-s-keep-the-president-waiting). Also, was I the only one to notice that an extra panel was put in front of the guest chair on the anchor desk? ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/45 "2010-10-28T15:18:26Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > Don’t worry. O’Reilly is a conniver. When the next Republican is elected President, he’ll be free to use the O’Reilly forum to give a free one-hour campaign commercial, under the guise of an “interview,” right before the mid-term election, too. > > And the liberals will cry “Foul!” You mean like this? [Congress | Fox News](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,133712,00.html) In fairness, it wasn’t right before a mid-term. It was right before Bush’s reelection in 2004. It was also well over an hour, I believe (it was aired in three parts). Can’t recall if liberals cried “foul” or not, to be honest. I personally was completely unsurprised. ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/46 "2010-10-28T16:16:25Z")
My favorite exchange was: Obama: “Let me talk about Congress–” Stewart: “Are you gunna curse?” Obama: “I’m not gunna curse.” While I agree Obama did seem a little uptight (which I can’t possibly understand why- I mean, what does that guy have to be stressed about?), I was genuinely surprised by how well the two played off of each other when they did. Their timing with one another was really good. Clearly Obama was the straight guy, but he played it well. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/47 "2010-10-28T17:06:34Z")
> [@Shagnasty](#): > > I think it is getting pretty clear that Obama has little interest in politics for its own sake. He just always really wanted to be on TV and becoming president seemed to be the best way to get his pick of shows to appear on. He should just get an agent and move to New York or Hollywood. I can understand your confusion - every potential Republican candidate is employed by Fox News, and no doubt has an agent. ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/48 "2010-10-28T17:14:51Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > I can understand your confusion - every potential Republican candidate is employed by Fox News, and no doubt has an agent. Yeah, Obama just did it backwards. The correct approach is TV first (or movies, of course, like St. Reagan), then president. ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/49 "2010-10-28T17:15:55Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > You mean like this? [Congress | Fox News](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,133712,00.html) > > In fairness, it wasn’t right before a mid-term. It was right before Bush’s reelection in 2004. It was also well over an hour, I believe (it was aired in three parts). > > Can’t recall if liberals cried “foul” or not, to be honest. I personally was completely unsurprised. I remember that interview. I actually tuned in, because I was genuinely interested in what Bush had to say, and thinking that they’re might be something substance in there. But I changed the channel after about five minutes of hearing O’Reilly in the intro lambaste Kerry for not coming on, even though he had been completely fair to him and even once stood up for him on some non-issue. I figured short of Bush coming out and admitting, while riding a unicycle and wearing a rainbow afro wig, that he had fucked up by going into Iraq, nothing he could say or do was worth sitting through this. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/50 "2010-10-28T17:37:56Z")
The King of Jordan episode of TDS, by the way, was spectacular. I strongly recommend watching it. ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/51 "2010-10-28T18:00:19Z")
> [@dzero](#): > > I don’t have a problem with this, or TDS. I’m just grateful that Pimp My Ride is no longer on the air. How about “Cribs”? Has that gone off the air? ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/52 "2010-10-28T18:16:51Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > He’s not a movie star or some junior senator. He is the most powerful man in the world. Once he’s done serving his time, I have no issues with a POTUS appearing wherever he pleases. I really enjoy listening to Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton when they appear on talk shows. But while he’s serving as the elected President, I believe that he should maintain an air of dignity and not appear as a guest on popular entertainment shows, especially ones that blur the lines between comedy and news. Oh, and he also shouldn’t get drunk at state dinners. Bad form. > > I mean, seriously, the Prime Minister could probably boost his ratings immensely by making a guest appearance on _Top Gear_ and blowing something up. However, it would also damage his credibility as a statesman. When you’re a powerful person at the level of the PM or POTUS, you remain above reproach. This attitude reminds me of [a bit that John Oliver did on TDS](http://tpmlivewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/2010/05/the-daily-shows-john-oliver-uk-elected-cameron-for-his-dickish-sense-of-humor-video.php) a few months ago, when Gordon Brown was voted out of office. > [@](#): > > Oliver also said that the Brits have _actual_ royalty, which is “why we can treat our political leaders like the disposable bureaucrats that they are.” ---
**Author:** ![RandMcnally](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b782af/32.png) [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/53 "2010-10-28T18:40:00Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > And the “heckuva job” moment was amusing as well. I don’t know the history behind that, what’s the story there? I, as a complete political noob, and insanely uninformed, thought it was a good interview. To me, it seemed as if Jon was asking real questions and the President answered them. I thought Obama moving the cup away was funny seeing as how Jon poured water from one cup to another. I dunno, I just found it amusing. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/54 "2010-10-28T18:50:36Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > I don’t know the history behind that, what’s the story there? > > I, as a complete political noob, and insanely uninformed, thought it was a good interview. To me, it seemed as if Jon was asking real questions and the President answered them. > > I thought Obama moving the cup away was funny seeing as how Jon poured water from one cup to another. I dunno, I just found it amusing. It’s what Bush said to Brown after Katrina, shortly before he fired him for incompetence. ---
**Author:** ![Kyomara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8edcca/32.png) [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/55 "2010-10-28T18:52:06Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > Obama seemed to me to be pretty stiff and defensive; he hardly ever smiled, and only did so grudgingly, and on two or three occasions looked like he was about to start wagging his finger in Jon’s face before thinking better of it. > > And anyone notice how at the beginning of the piece he set aside the gift mug as far as possible away from himself, with almost a little moue of disdain? > > I don’t think he did himself any favors with this appearance. I think you guys have got it wrong. My impression was that the president was trying not to put out the image that he doesn’t take the issues they were discussing seriously enough. Joking is Jon’s job. Obama is the president, and he should be serious. There’s that “dignity” that PunditLisa is talking about. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/56 "2010-10-28T18:52:13Z")
> [@RandMcnally](#): > > I don’t know the history behind that, what’s the story there? It’s the way Bush described Mike Brown’s efforts as head of FEMA in handling the Katrina disaster shortly before Brown resigned in disgrace.[Link](http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/1230-01.htm) ---
**Author:** ![joebuck20](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/74df32/32.png) [@joebuck20](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joebuck20)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/57 "2010-10-28T18:53:19Z")
> [@Jas09](#): > > You mean like this? [Congress | Fox News](http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,133712,00.html) > > In fairness, it wasn’t right before a mid-term. It was right before Bush’s reelection in 2004. It was also well over an hour, I believe (it was aired in three parts). > > Can’t recall if liberals cried “foul” or not, to be honest. I personally was completely unsurprised. Damn, I just read that transcript. Could this have been anymore of an ass-kissing session. Jon Stewart was a motherfuckin’ pit bull compared to this. Whenever someone bitches about him treating liberals like softies, you should show them that link. > [@](#): > > BILL O’REILLY, HOST: OK. First of all, I want to thank you for talking with me, since so few people will. > > (LAUGHTER) > > GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES : Well, it’s a big gamble on my part. > > O’REILLY: No, it isn’t, not really though. You, we talked four and a half years ago… > > BUSH: I’m teasing. > > O’REILLY: Yes, when you… > > BUSH: I enjoy how you interview people, and I appreciate you giving me the chance to come on and have, what we say in Texas, “Just a visit.” > > O’REILLY: Yes. We’re going to have a visit here. I’ve got 15 questions for you. If they’re dumb, tell me they’re dumb, because the audience will like that. > > (LAUGHTER) > > If they’re dumb questions say, “Look, O’Reilly, that’s just dumb.” ---
**Author:** ![Kyomara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/8edcca/32.png) [@Kyomara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyomara)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/58 "2010-10-28T18:58:13Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > Don’t worry. O’Reilly is a conniver. When the next Republican is elected President, he’ll be free to use the O’Reilly forum to give a free one-hour campaign commercial, under the guise of an “interview,” right before the mid-term election, too. > > And the liberals will cry “Foul!” I would see your point, except that Jon Stewart asked some pretty straightforward, probing questions, and even got quite a few laughs out of the audience at Obama’s expense. He didn’t stand up and yell at the president, but he kept him on his toes, and very plainly expressed a lot of the concerns that his detractors have. He might not have asked the questions a conservative pundit would have, but by no means was it a “free one-hour campaign commercial.” Obama had to answer for quite a few things in this interview. And I add my voice to those who say that appearing on TDS is not as undignified as it might seem. Granted, it is a comedy show, but the interviews are excellent. On any “real” news program, things would have fast degraded to a lot of yelling and screaming. ---
**Author:** ![Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/848f3c/32.png) [@Fuzzy\_Dunlop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fuzzy_Dunlop)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/59 "2010-10-28T19:00:36Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > And anyone notice how at the beginning of the piece he set aside the gift mug as far as possible away from himself, with almost a little moue of disdain? I thought he was trying to set it up for the camera to get a good shot, since he placed it fairly deliberately, looked into the camera, and that camera then took a close shot of it. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513/60 "2010-10-28T19:04:20Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > Obama seemed to me to be pretty stiff and defensive; he hardly ever smiled, and only did so grudgingly, and on two or three occasions looked like he was about to start wagging his finger in Jon’s face before thinking better of it. > > And anyone notice how at the beginning of the piece he set aside the gift mug as far as possible away from himself, with almost a little moue of disdain? > > I don’t think he did himself any favors with this appearance. He was defensive because Stewart put him in that position. I thought Obama did a good job of explaining what his administration has done, and in defending himself. Stewart has been critical on past shows about what the administration is doing, particularly about the slowness of recovery. I think this is a common perception in America, due primarily to Obama’s isolation over the past two years, and to the incessant yammering of Fox & Friends. He should have been having televised information sessions to explain what is happening and why, instead of assuming that it was apparent to the citizenry. If you were the prez, would you drink water that had been poured into a cup by persons unknown? I’d bet even Stewart doesn’t know who fills those cups. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obama-to-appear-on-daily-show-tonight/558513.md?page=4)