Barack Obama to appear on Tonight Show

[BBDSP]

I think I'd file this under "damned if you do and damned if you don't."

A couple of weeks ago the prez was criticized for not sounding confident and hopeful enough about the economy. I think this is probably someone's idea for how to fix that.

Also probably prompted by the fact that his approval ratings go up when he gets in front of the people.

Whatever.

[bychance]

^^There's no real reason why Obama should sit down and talk with Leno, other than he wants to.

But, then again, Leno didn't challenge Obama to a debate, after publicly saying he hopes both he and his policies fail.

The Repubs are going to go wild for him sitting down with Leno and not Limbaugh. That and [insert teleprompter joke] and say something about ACORN secret Muslin.

I think it's fair to criticize/question the Obama's partying at the White House
and now this appearance on Leno after criticizing Dumbya for vacationing his
way through his "presidency" (before tons of crises occurred).

Obama has done a lot in the first 3 months of his presidency...

PolitiFact | The Obameter: Tracking Barack Obama's Campaign Promises

CAMPAIGN PROMISES ALREADY KEPT:

No. 15: Create a foreclosure prevention fund for homeowners
No. 40: Extend and index the 2007 Alternative Minimum Tax patch
No. 58: Expand eligibility for State Children's Health Insurance Fund (SCHIP)
No. 125: Direct military leaders to end war in Iraq
No. 134: Send two additional brigades to Afghanistan
No. 239: Release presidential records
No. 241: Require new hires to sign a form affirming their hiring was not due to political affiliation or contributions.
No. 278: Remove more brush, small trees and vegetation that fuel wildfires
No. 307: Create a White House Office on Urban Policy
No. 327: Support increased funding for the NEA
No. 411: Work to overturn Ledbetter vs. Goodyear
No. 427: Ban lobbyist gifts to executive employees
No. 452: Weatherize 1 million homes per year
No. 458: Invest in all types of alternative energy
No. 480: Support high-speed rail
No. 503: Appoint at least one Republican to the cabinet
No. 507: Extend unemployment insurance benefits and temporarily suspend taxes on these benefits
No. 513: Reverse restrictions on stem cell research

PROMISES COMPROMISED ON:

No. 3: Eliminate capital gains taxes for small businesses and start-ups
No. 5: Expand the earned income tax credit
No. 32: Create a tax credit of $500 for workers
No. 240: Tougher rules against revolving door for lobbyists and former officials
No. 257: Create the American Opportunity Tax Credit to offset college costs
No. 434: Set a three-month moratorium on foreclosures
No. 512: Go "line by line" over earmarks to make sure money being spent wisely

STALLED (by others):

No. 24: End income tax for seniors making less than $50,000
No. 446: Enact windfall profits tax for oil companies
No. 508: Allow penalty-free hardship withdrawals from retirement accounts in 2008 and 2009

IN THE WORKS:

No. 1: Increase the capital gains and dividends taxes for higher-income taxpayers
No. 2: Eliminate all oil and gas tax loopholes
No. 4: Extend child tax credits and marriage-penalty fixes
No. 27: Change standards for determining broadband access
No. 31: Create a $60 billion bank to fund roads and bridges
No. 37: Extend the Bush tax cuts for lower incomes
No. 38: Repeal the Bush tax cuts for higher incomes
No. 39: Phase out exemptions and deductions for higher earners
No. 59: Invest in electronic health information systems
No. 70: Eliminate the higher subsidies to Medicare Advantage plans
No. 72: Prevent drug companies from blocking generic drugs
No. 84: Double federal funding for cancer research
No. 114: Reduce the Veterans Benefits Administration claims backlog
No. 126: Begin removing combat brigades from Iraq
No. 128: Launch robust diplomatic effort with Iraq and its neighbors
No. 135: Increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps
No. 159: Set standards for when the government should hire defense contractors
No. 161: End the abuse of supplemental budgets for war
No. 175: End the use of torture
No. 176: End the use of extreme rendition
No. 177: Close the Guantanamo Bay Detention Center
No. 178: Develop an alternative to President Bush's Military Commissions Act on handling detainees
No. 203: Develop a comprehensive cyber security and response strategy
No. 218: Increase the size of the foreign service
No. 259: Reduce subsidies to private student lenders and protect student borrowers
No. 275: Expand Pell grants for low-income students
No. 313: Allow bankruptcy judges to modify terms of a home mortgage
No. 373: Encourage community service through online outreach and social networking
No. 392: Expand broadband's reach
No. 393: Double federal funding for basic science research over 10 years
No. 405: Create White House performance team and chief performance officer
No. 421: Appoint an American Indian policy adviser
No. 449: Raise fuel economy standards
No. 455: Work with UN on climate change
No. 456: Create cap and trade system with interim goals to reduce global warming
No. 463: Require more energy-efficient appliances
No. 464: Reduce energy consumption in federal buildings
No. 469: Require federal fleet to be half hybrids or electrical cars
No. 476: Modernize the nation's electricity grid and use "smart grid" practices
No. 502: Get his daughters a puppy
No. 514: Ensure that stem cell research is conducted ethically and with vigorous oversight

PolitiFact | The Obameter: Tracking Barack Obama's Campaign Promises

Promises Kept: 18
Compromise: 7
Promise Broken: 2
Stalled: 3
In the Works: 41

[greysfang]

So did anyone else watch this? I thought he was a bit off his game last night, but still did a pretty good job. I love how Sasha and Malia are not impressed by Air Force One.

[sluce]

So did anyone else watch this? I thought he was a bit off his game last night, but still did a pretty good job. I love how Sasha and Malia are not impressed by Air Force One.

That was my favorite part.

This morning Suzie Ormand was saying she didn't think he should have gone on the show due to the expense of taking his whole team to LA. Guess she didn't realize he was already going there to meet with the Gov.

[Fluffy]

I've heard most of his statements on AIG and banking about before, so that portion I thought was kind of boring. I did enjoy the "Starburst" moment on Marine One.