Obama on 'The View':

[Belle]

... ratings blockbuster or presidential epitaph?

Daytime talk show has political observers split over whether Obama on 'The View' will help or hurt his image.

Los Angeles-- July 28, 2010
President Barack Obama's chat with the ladies of ABC's daytime talk show, "The View" – taped Wednesday for air on Thursday – has got more than a few media mavens, brand experts and public relations pros in a tizzy. Depending on your, well, viewpoint, Mr. Obama on "The View" is either committing political suicide, making a master marketing move, or contributing to the decline of western civilization, specifically, the United States.

Obama's triumphs are also his weaknesses: Health care, stimulus, financial reform Can Obama, Biden give a boost to Democratic candidates? "This is strictly a brand-management move," says marketing author Mark Stevens, noting that Obama's decision to snuggle up on the couch with a group of unscripted female hosts is clearly an effort to offset his recent ratings decline. But, he asks, do we really want the leader of the free world "to be selling himself just like Coke, or Pepsi, or Velveeta cheese?"

Beyond that, the risks inherent in an extended, informal face-to-face with such unpredictable hosts as Barbara Walters and Whoopi Goldberg may outweigh any benefits to be gained from the unprecedented strategy, says DePauw University professor Jeff McCall.

Although Obama appeared on "The View" as a US Senator, no sitting president has done so. President and Laura Bush appeared on "Dr. Phil," another daytime talk show, as part of the 2004 campaign.

  More-> http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/The-Vote/2010/0728/Obama-on-The-View-ratings-blockbuster-or-presidential-epitaph

[Breadburner]

This empty suit in the white house thinks he is a celebrity......

[Townsend]

Eh, what harm did it do?

I don't watch the view because they sound like chickens clucking about their own self-importance.

I didn't watch this one either.

Did it have any effect on the way you've lived your life today or will it make any difference tomorrow?

[nathanm]

Did it have any effect on the way you've lived your life today or will it make any difference tomorrow?

Sure it made a difference. They got another excuse to write about how Obama is so awful!

[OpenYourEyesTulsa]

Politicians are public servants not celebrities.  Sounds like the people need to put them back in their place.

[nathanm]

Politicians are public servants not celebrities.

Politicians have to get their message out and the people are collectively so clueless these days the only way to do it is by appearing on talk shows.

[JeffM]

What's the problem?
It's not like he's on Letterman or Leno every other week.
Geez.  The right wing media echo chamber is the institution that needs to be "put back in their place."  And the right wing chattering class that feasts on all this partisan smile are in serious need of a "time out."

Our DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT is better than a celebrity.
He's the ELECTED LEADER OF THIS COUNTRY.
He is the first man of his race to become president.
Back in the day, many folks called Martin Luther King a communist.... now we Americans celebrate a holiday named after him with parades that honor his legacy.

Get over your sour grapes, Oklahoma Republicans.

It's the institutional arrogance of the right wing media machine.... Rush, Hannity, O'Reilly, Fox News... KRMG radio.... and scumbag political hack character assassins like Andrew Breitbart who need to be put in their proper place... the DUSTBIN OF HISTORY.

/rant.

[Conan71]

What's the problem?
It's not like he's on Letterman or Leno every other week.
Geez.  The right wing media echo chamber is the institution that needs to be "put back in their place."  And the right wing chattering class that feasts on all this partisan smile are in serious need of a "time out."

Our DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT is better than a celebrity.
He's the ELECTED LEADER OF THIS COUNTRY.
He is the first man of his race to become president.
Back in the day, many folks called Martin Luther King a communist.... now we Americans celebrate a holiday named after him with parades that honor his legacy.

Get over your sour grapes, Oklahoma Republicans.

It's the institutional arrogance of the right wing media machine.... Rush, Hannity, O'Reilly, Fox News... KRMG radio.... and scumbag political hack character assassins like Andrew Breitbart who need to be put in their proper place... the DUSTBIN OF HISTORY.

/rant.

You forgot your "Bitter, party of one..." comment.

[Belle]

What's the problem?
It's not like he's on Letterman or Leno every other week.
Geez.  The right wing media echo chamber is the institution that needs to be "put back in their place."  And the right wing chattering class that feasts on all this partisan smile are in serious need of a "time out."

Our DULY ELECTED PRESIDENT is better than a celebrity.
He's the ELECTED LEADER OF THIS COUNTRY.
He is the first man of his race to become president.
Back in the day, many folks called Martin Luther King a communist.... now we Americans celebrate a holiday named after him with parades that honor his legacy.

Get over your sour grapes, Oklahoma Republicans.

It's the institutional arrogance of the right wing media machine.... Rush, Hannity, O'Reilly, Fox News... KRMG radio.... and scumbag political hack character assassins like Andrew Breitbart who need to be put in their proper place... the DUSTBIN OF HISTORY.

/rant.

..& /rant on!!
  I watched, & thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Gaspar]

I think he did great.  He should do more programs like this. 

[JeffM]

You forgot your "Bitter, party of one..." comment.

Comment not appropriate to the situation.... let's try this one.....

Stewart To Media: 'Nothing Obama Does Will Ever Make You F**king Happy' (VIDEO)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/30/stewart-to-media-nothing_n_664777.html

[Conan71]

Comment not appropriate to the situation.... let's try this one.....

Stewart To Media: 'Nothing Obama Does Will Ever Make You F**king Happy' (VIDEO)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/07/30/stewart-to-media-nothing_n_664777.html

Awww come on, we're just bitter haters. 

[Gaspar]

I'm thrilled he did the View.  I like it when any president gets out from behind a podium and interacts on a conversational level.  I think if he had done this more before the elections, the people would have understood more about who he is.  Even though these appearances are highly scripted, you still get a better understanding of the man when he is off-prompter.

This is why I also like the idea of the unscripted debate.  Presidents should field curve-balls, because that's what we rely on them to do. . .every day!

I think this appearance did a lot for his image, especially with women.  That was the purpose, and he pulled it off very well.

[Nik]

Politicians have to get their message out and the people are collectively so clueless these days the only way to do it is by appearing on talk shows.

This. Its also why his speeches have to be written at a 10th grade reading level.

[JeffM]

I'm thrilled he did the View.  I like it when any president gets out from behind a podium and interacts on a conversational level.  I think if he had done this more before the elections, the people would have understood more about who he is.  Even though these appearances are highly scripted, you still get a better understanding of the man when he is off-prompter.

This is why I also like the idea of the unscripted debate.  Presidents should field curve-balls, because that's what we rely on them to do. . .every day!

I think this appearance did a lot for his image, especially with women.  That was the purpose, and he pulled it off very well.

Gee, I have no idea why the president would need to be "highly scripted" in the current media environment... 

"Spread the wealth" sound bite.