dagblog - Comments for "Prez makes inappropriate pitch for website"

I think I got a C from that

Peter Schwartz — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 12:23:12 +0000

In reply to Gergen's examples are Truman

I think I got a C from that critic when, in later years, he taught music appreciation (or something) at Georgetown.

Loved the music we listened to with him, and I guess he said something about it, but when it came time for me to say something, I was wordless and only clichés came out.

Gergen's examples are Truman

Doctor Cleveland — Thu, 13 Mar 2014 04:01:42 +0000

In reply to Prez makes inappropriate pitch for website

Gergen's examples are Truman and Reagan.

It's true that Reagan had to preserve as much of his presidential dignity as he could, because he had already co-starred in a movie with a chimp. He couldn't afford to remind anyone.

Truman, in 1950, wrote an angry letter threaten to physically beat a Washington Post music critic who'd given his daughter a bad review. Dignified. Majestic.

I always suspected you were a

Verified Atheist — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 16:55:00 +0000

In reply to I am leaving shortly to be

I always suspected you were a closet Republican… (does saying that constitute a TOS violation?)

Gergen and O'Reilly are just

jollyroger — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 16:48:55 +0000

In reply to Best comment on Gergen's and

Gergen and O'Reilly are just miffed cause there was no tap dancing...

I am leaving shortly to be

jollyroger — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 16:47:59 +0000

In reply to http://talkingpointsmemo.com/

I am leaving shortly to be sworn in...

Elsewhere (FB), among old

Peter Schwartz — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 15:29:42 +0000

In reply to Best comment on Gergen's and

Elsewhere (FB), among old friends, I was criticized pretty heavily for "constantly" bringing up race with respect to Obama.

Though I was hardly the only one, they said I was "the only one" who did it, and I should just give it rest.

Racism was the scourge from our past that was trying to die and would if it weren't for people like me.

But when you lay things out the way this commenter did, it's very hard to find any OTHER reason why this skit was "beneath the presidency."

After all, in all those other humorous bits from previous presidents, what was the compelling public interest in their doing it?

Nixon wanted to "humanize" himself, as I recall. Reagan WAS an actor. Clinton was trying to get himself elected. GWB was always trying to portray himself as jes' folks and, worse, chose to make light of sending thousands to get killed and maimed on false pretenses.

But like ACA or hate it, what is Obama's purpose here? To get kids to protect themselves financially if they get sick or hurt. How many parents have vainly attempted to convince their kids that they aren't "invincible" and shouldn't drive so fast or with the radio blaring or take drugs or hang out with the "wrong" people?

In short, what more serious purpose could there be than to protect kids from harm?

And what better way than through humor?

The only improvement I could see to this skit would be if Gergen and O'Reilly had played the ferns.

Best comment on Gergen's and

Peter Schwartz — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 15:16:21 +0000

In reply to Prez makes inappropriate pitch for website

Best comment on Gergen's and O'Reilly's reaction to B2Fs.

"Notable Presidential Appearances in the modern era:

Nixon: Did goofy routine on Laugh In.
Reagan: Did comedy on Sonny and Cher and other shows,
Clinton: Played saxophone wearing shades on Arsenio Hall show.
George W Bush: Did a fishing show and "where are those WMD?" comedy video.
Barack Obama: Is black."

They still think he should've been The Butler.

That's a step up from Step 'n Fetchit, no?

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/

Peter Schwartz — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 15:12:35 +0000

In reply to Prez makes inappropriate pitch for website

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/greg-walden-david-jolly-florida-special-election

OT, but Holy Shit! Jolly have you seen this???

Brilliant play. Well done!

Ramona — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 14:24:35 +0000

In reply to Prez makes inappropriate pitch for website

Brilliant play. Well done!

And it's doing what it's

oldenGoldenDecoy — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 09:07:47 +0000

In reply to Prez makes inappropriate pitch for website

And it's doing what it's designed to do... also... too...

President Barack Obama’s sit-down with Zach Galifianakis led to a spike in traffic to HealthCare.gov on Tuesday, the administration said as it touted the effectiveness of the president’s latest effort to reach out to young adults.

As of 1 p.m. ET Tuesday, the website had racked up more than 19,000 referral visits from Obama’s “Between Two Ferns” video for Funny or Die, which was posted around 7 a.m., Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services spokesman Aaron Albright said.
Continue Reading

By 6 p.m., the video had directly sent 32,000 users to HealthCare.gov.

~OGD~