Solid as Barack
Posted on March 6th, 2009 by lori
Did anyone else find themselves grinning ear to ear while watching President Barack Obama’s recent appearance on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno?
In a monumental move by a world leader, Obama agreed to join Leno on his nightly talk show - the first time a sitting American president has done so in history.
HUGE coo for Leno and fascinating television for the rest of us.
The media was going wild days before his appearance. Sure, Obama can hold his own during a press conference but how would he make out fielding questions from a comedian? There’s no telling what a comedian will say, right?
What would Obama say about the recent AIG crisis? Is he still the calm, cool, collected man’s-man we saw on the trail? What would he wear? Where is this new puppy? Speculation run amuck!
I thought Obama’s appearance was flawless, mostly because he came across as a truly genuine, smart individual who can explain complicated situations so everyone can understand them. I truly believe that a mark of an intelligent person is someone who is able to take a complex problem and simplify it so even a child can understand. Obama does this with ease.
How many average citizens understand what the AIG does and why the bonuses are unjust? How many average citizens really understand why the United States and the economy-at-large is experiencing the worst recession since the Depression?
Obama was able to explain the situation and offer solutions. Granted, his solutions were pretty vague. I’m sure he’s not even positive what can and should be done to fix this mess. It’s uncharted territory on a very new world leader. But he offers hope and quite frankly, I bought it.
I’m glad Leno didn’t shy away from tough questions, like asking Obama about the criticism his treasury secretary Timothy Geithner has recently faced over the U.S bailout package and his slow reaction to stop AIG from paying out $165 million in bonuses to employees (many of whom are responsible for bringing the American economy to their knees).
Though Obama stayed fairly neutral throughout the mild grilling, he did say that as president, he will not pass the blame onto any one individual. He said he is working towards a strict checks and balance system on large U.S. financial institutions, which could avoid “holding America hostage”, such as AIG has successfully done.
Great! But what happens when the president is not as nice as you Barack? A repeat of George W. in office could spell trouble with these new policies.
Regardless, I really enjoyed the segment. I felt like I was watching my long-lost, trustworthy uncle. An uncle whom, although working incredibly hard and rising above the odds, still couldn’t believe how successful he had become.
It’s that genuine quality that makes Obama such a crowd pleaser, and why I was glued to the screen last evening.
For those who missed it:
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