The POTUS Gets Laughs on 'Letterman'

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Sep 22nd 2009 06:28AM

Not only did President Barack Obama's visit to 'Late Night With David Letterman' mark the first time a sitting president had appeared on the show, it was also the first time Letterman was upstaged by a politician. Despite some fairly thorny topics of conversation, President Obama managed to draw laughter from the audience. When asked whether some of the vitriolic reaction to his health care plan is driven at least partly by racism, Obama replied, "First of all, I think it's important to realize that I was actually black before the election."

Responded Letterman, "How long have you been a black man?"

By the time Barack Obama had even come on stage to the taping of the show on Monday, Letterman had offered up 10 reasons why in the world the president had agreed to do it. Among Letterman's theories: Obama said yes without thinking about it, or as Letterman put it, "Like Bush did with Iraq."

But Obama had other ideas. It turns out he was listening when Letterman had bantered with a woman in the audience who brought - yes - a potato in the shape of a heart to the show. Obama told Letterman, "The main reason I'm here? I want to see that heart-shaped potato."

The woman tossed the potato to Letterman. She agreed to let Obama keep it. Said the president, "This is remarkable."

Letterman covered a number of topics with Obama - many of them serious - in a taping that ran about 40 minutes. The show will be broadcast on CBS on Monday evening.

On the economy, Obama offered a sober prediction as the country deals with 9.7 percent unemployment, the worst level since 1983. He said he expects unemployment will be a "big problem" for at least another year. But he also said the economy will rebound even stronger.

As for the war in Afghanistan, Obama said he knows some people want him to bring troops home, and others are calling for him to increase U.S. force levels to combat the insurgency. The top U.S. commander there is warning the war could be lost without more troops.

Obama said he won't make a decision on sending in more troops, though, until he completes a comprehensive review of the war effort and settles on his next strategy.

"I'm going to be asking some very hard questions," Obama said.

http://xml.channel.aol.com/xmlpublisher/fetch.v2.xml?option=expand_relative_urls&dataUrlNodes=uiConfig,feedConfig,entry&id=727135&pid=727134&uts=1253618663

http://www.popeater.com/mm_track/popeater/tv/?s_channel=us.tvpop&s_account=aolnews,aolsvc&omni=1&ke=1

http://cdn.channel.aol.com/cs_feed_v1_6/csfeedwrapper.swf

President Obama on the 'Late Show'

President Barack Obama is the first sitting president to appear on CBS' 'Late Show With David Letterman.'

John Paul Filo, CBS / AP

President Obama on Late Show'

President Barack Obama is the first sitting president to appear on CBS' 'Late Show With David Letterman.'

John Paul Filo, CBS / AP

When asked whether some of the vitriolic reaction to his health care plan is driven at least partly by racism, Obama replied, "First of all, I think it's important to realize that I was actually black before the election."

John Paul Filo, CBS / AP

President Obama told David Letterman he expects unemployment will be a "big problem" for at least another year. But he also said the economy will rebound even stronger.

John Paul Filo, CBS / AP

Though Obama is the first man to appear on Letterman's show while holding the nation's highest office, he has been a 'Late Show' guest five times before, most recently in September 2008.

The White House said it was a good way for him to reach yet another audience as Obama wraps up a blitz of TV appearances, trying mainly to build support for his health care plan.

As president, Obama also went on NBC's 'Tonight' show when it was hosted by Jay Leno.

After the taping, the president returned to his midtown Manhattan hotel and quietly emerged a while later in gym clothes and a baseball cap. His destination: the church across the street for some basketball with his aides.

Tomorrow starts Obama's main mission in New York: His participation in the United Nations General Assembly.

2009 AOL LLC. All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Tags: barack hussein obama, barack obama, barack-obama, barackhusseinobama, BarackObama, david letterman, davidletterman, president obama, PresidentObama

Comments

(26)

Tuesday 22 September

By Brad

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I am so happy to see that the Mr. Obama is still campaigning and working on his status as a rock star. Wouldn't it be great if he spent a little time being a president. That would be President of the USA not just the Democrat Party.

By hotrodqd

Vote down Vote up Report this

add a tax & surcharge on videos-games & cd sales & rentals ....fund your programs !!!!

By Gina Waite

Mr. obama doesn't have to work at being a rock star....he just is. He makes communicating with the American public, from kindergartners to elderly veterans, a priority, including all Americans in his dream for this Country's improvement. It's a shame that more folks can't get behind a President who wants to unite and strengthen this Country. We are not always going to agree, but just as in ANY situation, everyone can not always have their own way every time. For the first time in my life, i ca say...I pledge allegiance....

By Enough Already

It's sad that now is the only time that you have felt that you could say the Pledge of Allegiance. We live in the greatest country in the world - take a trip outside the country and you can see for yourself! In spite of some of our leaders, I have never felt that I could not support my country. I disagree, he is a divider more than a uniter. He has, also, been in front of a camera more than I think he has actually been working in the Oval Office.

By PR

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I agree with what you said. I consider myself to be a very patriotic person, yet there are times I am not so proud of my country. Why a statement like that riles up so many people, I don't understand. The very same people who object to or consider not being proud of your country at all times to be some sort of act of treason, are the same people who are out there bashing our president for every single thing he does and says and dividing our country and not acting very patriotic at all, yet it's okay for them. They thrive on misinformation and rumors and think it's okay to act in an uncivil manner and spew untruths under the guise of first amendment rights.

Sunday 27 September

By Dave Miedema

Gina Waite:

Is this name an alias for Michelle Obama?

By Bonbon

The consensus of the morning news is that he should spend more time off the golf course, off the tv talk shows and spend more time coming up with a strategy for our troops in Afghanistan and focusing on jobs in this country, he is looking as if he has no leadership skills.

By mobetta2009

Has Obama really and truly done ONE thing as president that has helped The United States of America ......OR the TAXPAYING citizens?? Stop and think about it.

By Noma

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

He has raised the estimation of the US in the eyes of people around the world. That's a good thing.

He inherited a big pile of dung from the previous administration. It's going to take him a while to sweep it up, but he's got brooms going.

By Reena

he passed a law to make sure that women are guaranteed equal pay! that's something!! not to mention, the stock market is slowly climbling back up. You have to realize, he's only been in office less than a year and was given a pretty full plate of crap to deal with. that guy before him didn't do much in the 8 yrs he was in office, except add to the mess Obama now has to take on. Read Musicmom's entry - she is right on...I wish people would read up on and understand the facts about this government healthcare plan before jumping to conclusions.

mobetta2009: I am in agreement.

noma: Why are we so concerned about other countries liking us? They've always resented us...except when money or troops are needed, then we become their best friends. The Supreme Socialist should be more concerned about what Americans think than what Europeans and foreign Muslims do.

The POTUS needs his own comedy show. He might be be better at making jokes than telling lies and TRYING to hide his past as he patheticly attempts to RUN the country

By musicmom

For the first time in 8 years, we have an adult in the white house who has been courageous enough to face the corporate bankers and pharmaceutical companies that have somehow milked us dry while they got richer and richer, and all with our blessing! I wish he could get more regulation so that the fat cats wouldn't be able to squander the world economy away and still retain their multi-million dollar bonuses. He's a thoughtful, eloquent speaker who doesn't mire in the mud with the radio ranters that will say any lie for another big check in the mail. And what's the nonsense about forcing us all to take a governent insurance -- who said that? Not Obama -- he just wants the people who can't afford any insurance to have a viable option -- why is that so hard for anyone to understand? We have the best medical care in the world, but only the richest get it. And by the way, insurance companies are already making decisions for us about what's covered -- don't think that's not happening. The government is already paying for the procedures that aren't financially profitable for insurance to cover -- like dialysis, for instance. We are the only rich country in the world that doesn't cover medical expenses for our citizens. Shame on us.

POTUS = President Obama Tricks Us Again

By netObserver

On a practical note, you know (sigh)Presidents aren't robots--In the course of doing their jobs its actually possible for them to observe news and events in real-time and interact with people in the media. The Yahoos that are suggesting how the President should be doing his job--I'm sorry, just how many of you are Presidential material?????? Damn you all should have ran for President...Sorry you're busy commenting on boards while others are dealing with the real world.

By joserydesagain

I just saw the POTUS speaking to the UN.... it seems he is continuing his comedy tour. He stood and bragged about how he has done more in 8 months than has been done in years to bring about change to America. That was funny. But seriously, he has changed America. We now own insurance companies, banks, auto companies, and now we're going to own the hospitals and doctors... He is so proud of himself, he is now offering to solve the problems of the world, now that he's got us all taken care of... that was funny too

By LAURA J

I AM SO SICK OF THIS FAKE I COULD HURL!!

HE HAS NOTHING ELSE TO DO HUH?

By Ebicious

Baba, get out of Hollywood and do the job you were elected to do. No wonder your ratings are falling -- you're worthless as a President.

By gjb5528

Common sense comes from the more serious Americans,
who post on this kind of forum while the others are idol worshippers, they just follow the leader
blindly into the abyss.
We have a president that can go on a talk show for one reason, and that is his attempt to try and convince the public that he is just an ordinary Joe. Well he falls far short of that expectation,
we have serious problems in Afghanistan and Iraq, we also have problems with unemployment, healthcare,
veterans, economy, taxes and numerous other problems that need immediate attention from government, but what does the leader of our country
have time to do? He goes on a talk show and makes jokes with a moron like Letterman, trying to improve his image that is getting lower and lower.
Obama only goes to places he knows are more receptive to him. This man is not only a liar he is
also a coward because he is afraid to answer the hard questions from those that won't coddle down
before him.
When he was elected by the majority of the people
whites, blacks, liberals, conservatives and other
races, he put his hand on a bible and swore to uphold defend and protect the constitution and the
people, but he is one of the most partisan presidents that I can remember in my lifetime.
Mr President you were given the highest honor in
America, but you are slowly eroding your credibility, your administration has intruded in
free enterprise, the banking industry, the automobile industry and now you are meddling in the
healthcare business. You are trying to silence radio talk shows that criticise your programs, by
denying them their right to free speech.
When is all this destruction of the greatest country in the world going to cease, and when are you going to get back to working for all the people
not just the unions and special interest groups.