If I’m in the company of Jon Stewart fans or, more to the point, pragmatic political operatives and observers, I’m definitely in the minority on this one. President Barack Obama should not — repeat NOT — have gone on “The Daily Show” with Stewart recently. According to the aforementioned PPO&Os: “Get real. You gotta do what you gotta do. Go directly to that demographic. And personally make your case–as no surrogate can–filter free. And in so doing, try one last time to energize and motivate your base barely a week before the election.”
It’s good advice for the orator-in-chief. He’s good. And he’s in trouble. His Administration’s record is vulnerable to partisan attack and his party’s Congressional prospects have been on the ropes for a while. And, what the hell, he’s already done Leno and Letterman.
But the point is this. Context matters. This is, ipso facto, about the presidency, not merely the person, however articulate and charismatic, occupying the “highest office in the land.” It must sound unconscionably old school, but I think it’s demeaning for the president to walk on a late-night comedy set. Period. And one that had just satirically teased “Indecision 2010.” But seriously, folks.
To Stewart’s credit, he’s smart and quick and often funny. He knows more than a lot of the pols and pundits he parodies, but he’s a comedian. He’s paid to be an entertaining smart ass. That’s why when Obama noted–in an unfortunate George W. Bush/”Brownie”-like reference–that top economic adviser Larry Summers had “done a heckuva job,” Stewart responded with, “You don’t want to use that phrase, dude.”
“Dude?” Who cares if Sara Palin’s husband was the “First Dude” of Alaska for a while, but I don’t want my president being referred to as “dude,” unless it’s Michelle doing the dude deed. But it comes with the late-night shtick that passes for repartee.
And even though the president had the opportunity to make points about health care reform, economic recovery and financial reform, he had to make most of them after commercial breaks. As a result, talking about stabilizing the economy seemed more petty than presidential after ads for Kit Kat chocolate bars, Twix and Southern Comfort Lime, a trailer for “The Hangover” and promos for “The T.O (Terrell Owens) Show” and Comedy Central’s own gross-out newcomer, “Nick Swardson’s Pretend Time.” And, alas, more.
Here’s some additional context. John F. Kennedy set the precedent by going on the “Tonight Show” with Jack Paar–before he was president. Witty and telegenic played well. Paar was deferential. And candidate Richard Nixon went on “Tonight” with Steve Allen and played the piano. It was humanizing. And it was smart to go beyond the sober, Sunday morning, political-junkie talk shows.
Now it’s de rigueur for all candidates to hit the late-night, comedy-and-chat circuit. It reaches a substantial market. It’s a savvy campaign move. It’s what contemporary CANDIDATES should do.
But wherever the president goes, so goes the presidency. The office transcends its occupant. It should never be diminished or demeaned, even if it does promise good ratings. Richard Nixon didn’t do his “Laugh In” turn while he was president. Even Bill Clinton, notorious for the liberties he took after the oath of office, didn’t go on Arsenio Hall after he became president.
Frankly, I like my presidents with a ready wit, a captivating presence and an articulate command of the issues. That’s what one-on-one sit-downs and prime time press conferences are for. That’s why Jack Kennedy never returned to the “Tonight Show.”
And as for one last shot at motivating the base, it’s a sad commentary when the prospect of the other (by now demonized) party getting in isn’t sufficiently motivating to the base. That would truly be some sad stuff, dude.