SocraticGadfly: Obama not so boffo with Leno

March 19, 2009

Obama not so boffo with Leno

First, especially given many Democrats greater degree of sensitivity toward interest groups, President Obama saying, during taping, his bowling skill was “like the Special Olympics,” was insensitive, and of course, had wingers jumping all over him.

(That said, the laughter level died off from his first comment about his bowling score to the Special Olympics line.)

Now, I think political correctness is overblown. But, the nation’s Democrat-in-Chief is hoist by a semi-official petard of his own party.

Then, it was apparent Leno was throwing what, even for Leno’s standards, are softball questions.

First, was a setup question to ask if Obama was “stunned” to hear about the AIG bonuses. Even without a TelePrompTer, Obama could hammer that one out of the park.

NO question about Tim Geithner’s lie about when he had first heard of the bonuses. NO question about Geithner pushing for the bonuses loophole. NO admission by Obama that both sides of the duopoly had eliminated “common sense regulations,” namely Glass-Steagall, 11 years ago. NO challenging of Obama’s statement that this is the worst thing since the Depression.

Speaking of the first point, to use an Al Haigism, Geithner is now caveating his language on what he knew, and when, about AIG’s bonuses.

Meanwhile, Jay found a comic to do an appearance just to make Jay look funny – Jimmy Fallon.

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