President Obama and Jon Stewart on The Daily Show set (Roger L. Wollenberg-Pool/Getty)
With politicos, pundits, and journalists (like the staffers here at The Last Word) counting down to the election in hours rather than minutes now, both parties are pulling out all the stops to get their supporters into voting booths on Tuesday. So to that end, President Obama sat down to chat last night with Jon Stewart on the Daily Show. But instead of the issues, the candidates, the stakes, or even the Daily Show's swank D.C. set, all the talk today seems to be about Jon Stewart calling President Obama, "dude." The word came after Mr. Obama unfortunately channeled his predecessor's "Brownie, you're doing a heck of a job," remark. President Obama was talking about the hiring of Larry Summers as his top economic advisor.
Jon Stewart: "I remember thinking well that seems like the exact same person and why would you ... so in some respects I get your frustration with this idea that ‘Well jeez, are you never satisfied?’ But again, the expectation I think was audacity going in there and really rooting out a corrupt system and so the sense is has reality of what hit you in the face when you first stepped in caused you to back down from some of the more visionary... like bringing a guy like Larry Summers."
Pres. Obama: "First of all ... if you look at how we have handled this financial crisis -- if you had told two years ago that we're going to be able to stabilize the system -- stabilize the stock market, stabilize the economy -- and by the way -- at the end of this thing it, will cost less than 1% of GDP... I'd say we'll take that because we saved taxpayers a whole lot of money. And in fairness, Larry Summers did a heck of a job trying to figure out how to..."
Jon Stewart: "You don't want to use that phrase, dude."
That's when Twitter (see here, here and here), the blogosphere (here, here, and here)... and even the morning papers (here, here, and here) collectively said, "what the what?"
So... was it a big deal, or not?
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Barack Obama Pt. 3 | ||||
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Leave a Comment:
@Debra Beryle Winkler please do not use the term 'we' (in the majestic plural, editorial, or even the patronizing form) unless you are standing in your living room next to other people who are not in your imagination or computer.
Don't encourage the trolls, children.
uh yeah, debra beryle winkler. he'll get right on that for you. just wait by the mailbox.
I know you must be using sarcasm, right Debbie?
If you are are serious, I'll send your post to everyone as an example of how a few wingnuts will repeat/believe ANY Beck-inisian propaganda.
Gee Debra, writing a book? You sure are a curious little mouse. The things that are not covered under privacy laws (medical and school), all seem to be things that can be classified as private. But hey, you seem like a smart little bumpkin, why not take some time and do some investigation on your own? I bet if you try really hard you can find the articles he published (if any) or the Michelle's career information. Instead you just write inflammatory things in places where they don't really belong. Really Debra, do you do anything other than waste time? Contribute to society for a change. And by the way, you don't represent me.
Nice chain letter...its just like you teabaggers, not an original thought in your tiny brains! Keep stirring the pot! You trolls make me laugh!
Honestly, the "dude" slipped right by me. I thought it was intersting when Stewart talked over the president and stopped himself, perhaps realizing that he was trying to talk over the most powerful man in America. My take on it was that Stewart did a good job of not simply letting the President have the platform to give a stump speech. Obama, in my opinion was savvy. He knew he wouldn't go on the show and have soft balls lobbed at him (Stewart would not let his viewers down like that) but would certainly be given more deference in that the Daily Show is not a news program. I think TDS did a great job of prep and made the right decision leaving off the intro antics that they were planning. It came across as professional and straight. TDS is the hybrid between entertainment and journalism that is holding on. It is refreshing.
REALLY? With all the things our Pres. has been called by the right wing haters, you are concerned with Jon calling him 'dude'???
...and that ought to be Dude-in-Chief, of course!
A bit too casual with the President of the United States, I thought. But perhaps the President, in his attempt to connect with ordinary folks by going on pop radio and TV, opens himself up to this sort of thing. What I thought was really disrespectful was Carpio of Rhode Island telling the Prez, in the absence of an endorsement, to "shove it." That was as egregious as Rep. Joe Wilson calling the President a "liar." Both were deplorable.
I thought it was awesome! Barack Obama took it in a great way, showing he is a normal human being with a terrific sense of humor! Not a problem, Jon!