“Folks, we’ll be right back with the president of the United States.” So teased Jay Leno the other night on The Tonight Show.
I know a lot of folks are going to disagree on this–among them, White House officials. And that is, context is everything when it comes to hearing directly from the president on critically important issues. It matters so much that I wish I weren’t seeing Barack Obama being interviewed by late-night comics. Some things should be beneath the dignity of the office of the president, regardless of occupant.
Put it this way: Presidential commentary on embassy closures, NSA surveillance, Russian relations and partisanship in Washington should not be coming on after a Denny’s commercial and before an appearance by soul diva Patti LaBelle.
There are plenty of forums for President Obama to reach the American people. In fact, there have never been more. But what was appropriate for candidate Obama–or candidate Clinton, candidate Kennedy or ex-President Nixon–is not appropriate for a sitting president.
One more thing. Having said that, this president is really good at this sort of thing. He’s quick, he’s humorous, he’s articulate. I look forward to his post-presidency appearances.