President Barack Obama joins Jay Leno before appearing on the NBC late night comedy show, "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno"
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Obama cracks jokes on Tonight Show - says Geithner is outstanding
By Jimmy Orr | 03.19.09
Was President Obama funny this evening on the Tonight Show?
Although most Americans will have to wait a few more hours before the president makes his appearances on Jay Leno’s late night program, some details have emerged.
Geithner
The Associated Press is reporting that President Obama said Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner is doing an “outstanding job”.
What’s unclear however is if that was part of the president’s monologue.
AIG
The New York Times reports that Obama and Leno spent a sizable amount of time discussing the bonuses for executives at the American International Group.
“The question is who in their right mind when the company is going bust decides we’re going to be paying a whole bunch of bonuses to people,” Mr. Obama said. “That I think speaks to a broader culture that existed on Wall Street, where I think people just had this general attitude of entitlement where we must be the best and the brightest, we deserve $10 million or $50 million or $100 million payouts.
“And the immediate bonuses that went to A.I.G. are a problem, but the larger problem is we’ve got to get back to an attitude where people know enough is enough and people have a sense of responsibility, and they understand that their actions going have an effect on everybody,” he said. “And if we can get back to those values that built America, then I think we’re going to be okay.”
Departure
For those who don’t watch Leno, such topics aren’t standard fare. Earlier this week, Leno spoke with Reese Witherspoon about her new movie “Monsters versus Aliens.”
“This is my character that I play on Monsters and Aliens” Witherspoon said holding a three-inch plastic doll. “One day she’s on her way to her wedding and she gets hit by a meteorite — BOOM! And then she grows to be 49 feet tall.”
Biden
Details of Leno’s monologue are starting to come out as well. No word of teleprompter jokes, but there’s always time for a jab at Obama’s VP.
“[We intended] to have Vice President Joe Biden come out and say a few words. But it is only an hour show.”
One of the questions the First Couple regularly receives is when they are going to get a dog. Coming soon, Obama said.
“This is Washington. That was a campaign promise,” Obama replied to audience laughter. “No, I’m teasing. The dog will be there shortly.”
Obama’s teleprompter
Earlier today, we told you that someone something claiming to be the president’s teleprompter set up a Twitter account under the name TeleprompterOne (read that story here). Following the program, the teleprompter appeared eager to reveal some details tweeting:
“Good Evening My Fellow Americans! The interview with Jay went great. I got to meet Jay’s Teleprompter. She’s cute.”
Oops
Toward the end of the taping, however, is when the president may have stepped in it.
ABC’s Jake Tapper notes the president made an offhanded remark about his low bowling score which may come back to haunt him.
After telling Leno he bowled a 129, the president said it’s “like the Special Olympics or something.”
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4. betty black | 03.19.09
Please, Just for once, can’t we just listen to the talk and not pick it apart. everyone has to be soooo careful anymore, can’t even speak unless it is completely thought out first, just not to offend anyone, how terrible
5. Jo | 03.19.09
U guys r just bitter ur bushaucracy is gone and finally someone who actually cares about what is going on around us is in office
7. Dave | 03.19.09
Dodd’s provision eliminated the so-called bonuses. Under pressure from Geithner that was scaled back. So Sen. Dodd was made a fall guy for a while by people who twisted the truth 180 degrees because they couldn’t stand the heat.
9. frank | 03.19.09
Need more info on the dog. We need Obama to go on Hardball or something. Matthews will get it out of him. None of these Leno softball questions.
10. Tom Truth | 03.19.09
Why are Americans so outraged at 165 million in bonuses when BILLIONS of our tax dollars in the form of these welfare bailouts have been sent overseas along with American jobs? GM sent a billion dollars to Brazil to build a plant and now the CEO is saying gasoline prices need to rise to $4 per gallon again so Americans will have to buy their new crop of cars.
Where is the outrage for this?
11. Dave3137 | 03.19.09
Whatever happened to “stay the course” — for five years? But, silly me, that was “different.” 50 days, and it’s off with their heads now. I just can’t keep up with all the rule changes.
12. MaxT! | 03.19.09
Geithner doing well???? Isn’t that similar to Bush’s “Brownie’s” doing a great job comment during Katrina? Everyone slammed Bush for that, but Obama hires a guy that didn’t pay taxes for four years, is way out of his league and seems to have no clue, but nobody says anything? Come on! I’m betting that Geithner will be short-lived in his current position, at least I’m hoping he’s replaced soon.
13. James | 03.19.09
It’s significant to note that Garth Brooks was on that night too. Hopefully, Obama will be able to talk to a set of Americans who normally only hear corporate news… news owned by the same kinds of megacompanies and run by the same kinds of immoral creeps who tanked our economy and lost us our jobs. It’s war out there. There’s only so much money out there anymore, and these companies are fighting Obama and the rest of us for it. So why do we only get their version of what the news is?
14. blackscion | 03.19.09
Everyone here has the right to their own opinions, but that doesn’t mean any of you know these high-up positions better than the people that run them. And as a side-note, President Barack Obama was elected by the People of the United States of America. If you can’t handle that, too bad. Go live in another country and you will realize that the United States is the only place in the entire world that you will have such extensive Liberties.
15. Panskeptic | 03.19.09
How lucky we are to have so many sages lurking in basements all over this great country of ours, each one smarter than the President.
Now yes, I’m sure they were smarter than the last president, but no, they’re not smarter than this one.
Obama’s doing fine, calm down.
16. Teresa | 03.19.09
Since President Obama is the President of “change” perhaps he would like to join my son as he bowls with Special Olympics this year in Missouri. What he said demeans the very public he is supposed to be working for.
17. wayne | 03.19.09
Who would want to invest in anyone on wall street now we know who they are and the greed. Remember the inside trading and corruption we’ve seen during the past administration. Its not the Democrats that are the spenders put it in perspective and quit talking about it !
18. morris92 | 03.19.09
If people examined there money deal with Madoff in as much detail as they are examining this program the finacial scandal of the century would not have happened.
19. MaxT! | 03.19.09
Everyone is a “sage” in a blog-sphere, that’s part of our freedom, Panskeptic. It’s the whole point here.
20. Kim | 03.19.09
I was glad to see Obama on Jays tonight show I think it shows he is trying to stay in touch. We all slip up and say something wrong from time to time he’s no different. We all need to get behind our President And support him as he fixes the mess he inhieted
22. Kim Cash | 03.19.09
Hay my son has been in the Special Olypics for years he is now 21 and it did not affend him or me it was funny. Ha ha ha
23. Joe | 03.19.09
Let’s see, congress approves a bill they don’t read and it contains all these bonus problems but we are mad at AIG? It is the fools we have elected that voted for this ill advised and Obama rushed legislation that are to blame. If anyone is to commit hari kari or take the fall look no further than our stupid elected officials or maybe our ignorant voting public for putting them there!!!
24. DavidC | 03.19.09
How sad. Where is the outrage for the money dumped into an illegal, immoral, and unjust war based on the flagrant lies of a power hungry president and vice president with God complexes? The false outrage of the right wing in this Nation is sickening. I wonder, how do those in AIG who received those bonuses vote? Seems to me the rich republican aristocracy in this Nation started this bloody mess to begin with, lest we forget Enron and Worldcom. Oh how wonderful it must be to distort reality to suit your perceived place in society.
25. Uabbas | 03.19.09
Pres.Obama is doing a fine job, we know he will catch **** from White America, because they can not believe a black man can lead them. He lets give him the same chance we gave past presidents who where complete fools.
We should all take the time and pray that our country will rise once again, and stop all the crying. He is the President, lets stand with him and make the changes needed to correct OUR country. One man can not correct our problems everyone must stand up and fight for whats needed.
Abbas
26. Everitt | 03.20.09
Uabbas, I’ve got to respectfully disagree with you on the “give him the same chance…stand by the president” rhetoric. I am a supporter, no a fan, of the man. I’m relieved to have some genuine intellect in the oval office and hope he can be half the president I thought I was voting for.
With that being said “standing by the president” is un-american. We are supposed to be free to question actions of authority. Especially to put better ideas forward. Standing by our president just meant watching our country get raped for the last eight years, so I say question his moves vocally, and put better ideas forward. Hopefully his minions will be wise enough to bring the best forward and our democracy can get back on it’s feet.
27. INOV8TN | 03.20.09
Seems we’ve given Obama time to show his stuff. Frankly I’m not sure there’s a government solution to the crunch that will work. If we keep putting ourselves further in debt we’ll destroy the country for our children. I’m coming around to thinking that maybe the best course is to just simply stop any more ‘bailout’ money. If AIG weren’t bailed out there’d be no bonuses to complain about. The mortgage derivatives that tanked were developed by professional experts and sold to experts not to little investors like you and me. Let the buyer beware. Let the chips fall where they may. The FDIC will cover the little guys’ deposits and that’s a lot better than fighting about AIG bonuses.
28. Alburquenque | 03.20.09
I have a cousin who performs in the Special Olympics and while Obama maybe should have used a different simile to describe his poor bowl, I don’t think this at all reflects upon Obama’s overall character. If you’re on the Late Show or any comedic 1-on-1 you’re going to feel the pressure to be funny and so Obama did just that. Whether it was or not, it’s up to you to decide, but Obama is a good man and a good President and we should be more forgiving for one phrase gone askew.
29. Raji Rab | 03.20.09
All US presidents were good people But President Obama is exceptional.. A regular person..A real hard working guy..A Real hard working President..So lets be greatful and pray that his sincere efforts start turning fruit sooner than later.. My feeling is that within 6 months things will become favorable and soon thereafter next year all of us americans will enter a prosperous time like never before..
30. JamesL | 03.20.09
Greed? Hmmmm. I have lived in this country a long time and have been all around the world. I would have to say that greed is not something that is limited to wall street. Of course, all the consumers who were getting loaned money they never intended on paying back and knew they could not afford can now blame companies like AIG who underwrote the debt in a system we ALL benefited from, but they were greedy? Congress and the President are nothing but puppets and actors. Everyone knows that. They believe and stand for whatever their PR people tell them they do!
31. Steve | 03.20.09
He’s so funny. I sat there envisioning him as a mentally challenged guy trying to bowl…you know how those kids just bumble around…they fall down..it’s more funny to watch them than cheer them on, right Big O? You sicko.
I thought of a better joke. Substitute Presidency where Bowling is mentioned and 2 where he mentions his score. I’ll illustrate. “My presidency is like the Special Olympics. I scored a 2.”
The SNL crew are liars when they say this guy isn’t full of funny stuff to use. He’s got LOADS!
32. James | 03.20.09
I voted for Obama but think I may have made a mistake. 11 trillion in debt for my children is not what I voted for.
33. Prashant | 03.20.09
I think its just a slip of tongue….he is human…dont sweat on such small issues ..look what he is doing…support him…
34. OT | 03.20.09
I think Obama should round up his Scientogist sheep and do another Scientogy celebrity concert and maybe will raise his ratings in the polls..
35. John Abquer | 03.20.09
We, folks, everyday hear “what are you, retarded?”. What a bunch of retards
is said without another thought about how offensive and painful that expression of cruelty really is to the parent, to the child or adult who is strugling to be as able as their spirit, and simple innner strengh will get the able.
We, hopefully don’t believe Obama is not subject to human error and we believe had he realized what came out of his mouth would have made a sincere and reall apology on the spot, look for him to do so the next day and you’ll hear that apology.
36. John Abquer | 03.20.09
So, “When we hear what are you retarded?” do we try to explain the root of that offending and others of the same nature is not fair, right, decent, kind, or what you mother, father, grand parent would have ever spoken because they knew that “but for the grace of god….” the oxygen, the development or any of other deprivations could put any of us into a life we would have not wished.
Thanks for listening.
Presidents utter expleatives and have had them recorded in the oval office in the past and used vile racial attacks but in this president Obama that is not going to happen so appreciate how lucky we have him to lead.
37. doug | 03.20.09
If he had said the “Paralympic Games” it would have been an insult.
There is no such thing as a “Special Olympics” it does not refer to anything or anyone.
What is the fuss about ?
38. wo fat | 03.20.09
nicely balanced set of comments about a bit of fluff .in comparison to the last few presidents , mister obama is most intellectually able to deal with the worlds issues
perhaps , as he doesnt have experience as a corrupt politician he is at a slight disadvantage understanding how washington works.
39. Carolyn | 03.20.09
While the President was congenial and conversant with Jay Leno, I don’t want to tune into a late night talk show with riffs punctuating sound bites on important national matters in an ad-interrupted comedy format. Obama’s casual vocabulary (bunch and bust, etc)was not equal to his education or Office. He spoke down to all viewers whether they recognized it or not but then I had just returned from a contemporary version of a Shakespeare play.
Condi Rice’s Wednesday Rose interview showed greater respect for the Office she had held, the leaders of nations she had met and for me as a thinking viewer. She shared some of the subtleties important to the dance of nations and did so with graceful strength.
BTW, why didn’t Jay go to the White House - it would have been less expensive for the American people - NBC would have paid Jay’s airfare. Hmmmmmm….
40. Green Living | 03.20.09
Always with the kind words…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z99XtK2X1a0
No wonder he is called TOTUS.
41. Ginseng | 03.20.09
Yeah, I thought the crack about Geithner doing an outstanding job was pretty funny. It’s too bad he hired a guy in charge of our finances but can’t figure out how to do TurboTax.
42. Ginseng | 03.20.09
Governor Palin, Special Olympics and Trig…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izn63SHXPMw&feature=player_embedded
43. Red Rabid | 03.20.09
Taxpayers Support
Octomom - $135,000 per month, limit - uterus
Bush In Iraq - $10 Billion per month, limit - term
Obama - $2,500 Billion per month, limit - you
46. Red Rabid | 03.20.09
Foxwood,
Simple. Its lack of morals coupled with natural greed. Our economy is so large and complex and congressional representatives are so few in number. It becomes relatively easy to subvert and buy a pimping politician or push forward a special interest nut, who in order to garner political advantage or money, will steer resources meant for the whole toward a favored few. The public and even congressional peers cannot even follow the shell game. The ranks of this whoring brood supply the positions of state and federal executive office. Exposing it doesn’t serve them. Welcome to America.
47. Tessa | 03.20.09
he is a clod and always has been. Obama disciples are going to discover his clay fet real soon.
48. senior advisor | 03.20.09
Relax everybody Obama is the right one in the right position. Ask yourself “Am I perfect? ” and go from there.
49. SoCalDem | 03.20.09
All of the people on this site that support Obama could anyone tell me one positive thing that he has done besides steal an election? He has backtracked on all of his promises. He is a puppet just like Bush was, the money people are running the show. They just think that we the people will be quiet about this generational theft because we don’t want to appear racist.
50. coffee | 03.20.09
seems like Obama would be a night show guest since he’s so good at rolling with the punches
51. CollegeLaw | 03.20.09
If you guys would have listened to what he said… He was just trying to relate to an audience that may not be that involved or know what is really going on with our economy and our country. If you would have listened he actually broke everything down for us and took time to explain what is going on. For instance he calmly explained why AIG is giving out bonuses and what they are doing is LEGAL but the problem with our society today is the fact that WHAT IS LEGAL is not always best for us and that some laws need to change. The contracts that were handed out are actually hurting us in the long run. Next time listen to what the man is saying instead of being so hard headed and judgemental.
52. AdamG | 03.20.09
SoCalDem -
“All of the people on this site that support Obama could anyone tell me one positive thing that he has done besides steal an election?”
How did he steal the election? The Republicans lost the election, by blindly following the conservative right for 8 years.
“He has backtracked on all of his promises.”
According to the folks that do actual research, he’s only broken 3.
http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/promises/
He is a puppet just like Bush was, the money people are running the show.
Really? Which money people in particular?
They just think that we the people will be quiet about this generational theft because we don’t want to appear racist.
The only theft going on this generation is the theft of our grand childrens’ equity, and that started 8 years ago when Bush expanded spending limitations.
53. Simplicio T. Soriao | 03.20.09
Has the President been presidential given the amount of time he has spent in office? Many of us would probably take the opposite view that he has not been typical of a leader who meets or serves our expectation. But, again, as I have stated in my previous comments that critical and crucial events will shape his presidency; it is too early to make judgment calls for a leader who, I believe, is doing what he thinks and feels is best for the country.
We may refer to these as normal but critical expectations. And the art of politics requires that, as a leader, you must be strong and decisive enough to stand by your decisions, honest enough to apologize for unintended mistakes, and able enough to commit to specific actions to overcome mistakes.
The question evolves around Mr. Geithner who seems to have lost his bearing amidst the furor arising from his tax problems, the inability to take a decisive stand on the bonus issue, and his lack of candor in being forthright as far as economic issues are concerned.
One of the outstanding traits of the American people is its tempered demeanor or the compassionate gesture extended to the next person who might be in the midst of trouble. And the President has shown so much understanding and compassion, not only to his political adversaries, but to the members of his cabinet. Right, front, and center the President defended his Treasury Secretary before Jay Leno. That he is the right person to lead the department, that he is the man of the hour, and what he has done so far met the President’s expectations. Did we expect the President to castigate him? Did we expect the President to discuss in public those economic policy issues that required clarification from Mr. Geithner himself? Or did we expect the President to make a fool of himself? The answers to all these are NO. Because he is that man who is the father of a family and puts a lot of trust in them.
This may be premature, but the President’s operating style is but Lincolnesque. Slow to anger, yet quick to beg the rest of us to learn how to
forgive those whose temperament requires understanding.
54. Carol W. goldring | 03.20.09
Lighten up. So the guy isn’t perfect. I don’t think he meant anything disparaging in his comments.He flubbed. Get over it.
56. MGB | 03.21.09
Did any of you Obots who are giving The Great Nothing a 100-day pass do the same for Bush?
Didn’t think so………………
57. BWG | 03.21.09
He wants to compare himself to the Special Olympics. I have a child that participates in the Special Olympics every year. She has disabilities and I watch all those children going around the track in their wheelchairs how happy they are when they cross the finish line. The most awesome sight is when they all receive a medal for participation. For him to use that as an analogy is absolutely tasteless and I am very happy to say I am not once of those Americans that voted for his kind of change. I really see what kind of change he wants now.
58. NH | 03.22.09
Can you believe the NON ANSWER he gave about the bonuses? He’s stealing our 401Ks right out from under us and giving the money to the bankers and makes this kind of joke about it?
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. Larry Douglas | 03.19.09
Obama is drunk with power.