by Mark Silva
Barack Obama.
Bill Clinton.
It's a big day on the set of the Late Show with David Letterman.
The longtime late-night television host, who has both a sitting president and a former president lined up for appearances on his program (Obama tonight, Clinton Tuesday night), is taping the shows for each of them this afternoon.
Plus the United Nations General Assembly is convening, with Obama staying on for meetings there. Which makes for some busy times in Manhattan today.
Tonight, Obama will appear on five segments of Letterman's show -- he's the only guest, the first time that a sitting president has sat for Letterman's show, but the sixth time that Obama has been there.
The president will want to talk about health care. We'll be surprised if Letterman doesn't want to talk about why the White House wants New York Gov. David Paterson to step aside. At a parade in Harlem over the weeekend, the embattled governor refused to discuss his conversations with the White House's political team, the New York Times reports, "which has made clear to Mr. Paterson in recent days that it has lost confidence in him and does not believe he can be elected next fall.''
Paterson was on hand today, however, to greet Obama on his arrival in the tri-cities, landing at the Albany-Schenectady airport for an appearance in nearby Troy before heading on to Manhattan for the big show.
Has Obama prepared any anecdotes for Letterman? "Well, that was first and foremost on the president's mind this morning,'' Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said today, en route to Albany aboard Air Force One.
"No, he's had a good rapport with David Letterman for quite some time,'' Gibbs said of his boss. "We did this before he became a senator and again on the presidential campaign, so it should be -- I think it will be fun. But I also think, again, I think it's a way of talking to people that may not get their news all from traditional outlets. So I think that's an important way to continue the conversation.''
As for Letterman, regular programming will resume Wednesday.
(Photo above shows President Barack Obama greeting New York Gov. David Paterson as the president arrived today at the Albany airport for an appearance in Troy, N.Y., before heading to Manhattan for a taping with David Letterman today and United Nations meetings this week. (Photo by Charles Dharapak / AP)
Comments
How about top ten reasons to hate Chuck Grassley?
http://www.political-buzz.com/
Posted by: matt | September 21, 2009 11:56 AM
"[Obama's] had a good rapport with David Letterman for quite some time,''
Doubtless that has nothing to do with the fact that David Letterman contributes big bucks to Dem Party candidates......
Posted by: kgb | September 21, 2009 12:28 PM
I'd rather watch a 90 minute Shamwow commercial.
Posted by: Dave | September 21, 2009 12:35 PM
I guess Kass was right that Axelrod and Emanuel (D-Tomczak) were bringing the Chicago Way to Washington. They think it is up to them to force Patterson out of the race, and resort to hereditary entitlements by apparently endorsing Andrew Cuomo. At least New York finally had the courage to depose King Mario Cuomo when he quit listening to the people, something the people of Illinois can't do with King Richard II, the Baron Madigan, etc.
Posted by: jack | September 21, 2009 12:36 PM
Letterman must be all excited having Obama and Clinton, two of his beloved Democrats, on his show. I hope he controls himself and does not wet his seat.
Posted by: Depot- Jim | September 21, 2009 12:53 PM
Didn't Obama the Unqualified handlers ever tell him that you can not run the government from the Boob Tube? Either Obama becomes the President or he becomes an Actor. Which is it Obama?
Answer - We need a leader, not an actor. Either get with the program or resign!
Posted by: Darkwater | September 21, 2009 12:55 PM
The democratic party leaders are trying to get rid of Gov Patterson? What a bunch of racists.
Posted by: Terry | September 21, 2009 12:59 PM
I do not ever watch Letterman, so I know I won't see the president and Bill Clinton. I know I won't be missing a thing. Like Lindsey Graham said, "Obama has been on every channel pushing his Obamacare except the Food Channel...and it still will not pass.
Posted by: Bruce | September 21, 2009 1:12 PM
"Didn't Obama the Unqualified handlers ever tell him that you can not run the government from the Boob Tube? Either Obama becomes the President or he becomes an Actor. Which is it Obama?
Answer - We need a leader, not an actor. Either get with the program or resign!"
That's right! If Obama was a great leader he would buy a ranch in Texas and spend all of his time there. I mean, why would the American people want to hear from the president on one of the most important issues of our times? That is insane!
Posted by: Rick | September 21, 2009 1:29 PM
"We did this before he became a senator and again on the presidential campaign, so it should be -- I think it will be fun. But I also think, again, I think it's a way of talking to people that may not get their news all from traditional outlets. So I think that's an important way to continue the conversation.''
If the same message is repeated over and over, you're not moving the conversation forward. The definition of insanity is the repetitive banging of your head against a wall expecting different results. We've all heard the drum beats, can we now move forward with the dialog?
There are two areas that need to be addressed. 1) the need for social programs hidden in "preventive" medicine. 2) Tort reform needs to be added. The Trib ran a story 2 years ago which indicated the demise of OB-GYN's setting up practices in IL. The cost of malpractice insurance was driving the MD's out of state. This cost is passed on to the patient which only adds fuel to the fire. The article indicated that the rason for the high costs of MI was due to the awards given out by the courts. Where do we address this in HR3200?
Posted by: ethan | September 21, 2009 1:32 PM
Hey Rick
"If Obama was a great leader" - If is right. He is not a leader. He talks the talk, but really can not walk the walk. Never will be able to. The man has no clue what America wants, or even stands for. Has no clue, none, noda, zip, zero!
Posted by: Darkwater | September 21, 2009 3:38 PM
Is refreshing to have a leader who is not afraid to talk directly to his constituents. Of curse the sour grapes will have no of it.
Posted by: Robert | September 21, 2009 4:14 PM
I love it! The fear and ramblings of sore losers because we have the most intelligent President we've had in decades. He CAN speak to the American people, so HE DOES! I respected our last President, but I knew he was incapable of doing the most important job in the world. Finally we have a true man of the people that can impart hope, humor, and humility without mispronouncing words or totally missing the point.
The uneducated and ignorant are ranting due to fear and a basic lack of knowledge required to exist in a true democracy. Speak all you want Mr. President. The REAL American public is listening and willing to politely debate differences.
Posted by: Don G | September 21, 2009 4:18 PM
There will be more softballs here than ina little girls game. There are no impartial interviewers anymore.
Posted by: 1stMarDiv75 | September 21, 2009 4:47 PM
I actually WATCHED the show last night and have to say I thought he did as well as he could be expected to. He isn't our "entertainer in Chief" everyone. He was there to entertain a little but also to talk about his agenda both foreign and domestic. Those that say he's on tv to much need to stop watching so much. Part of the reason he is on t.v. is because people actually watch it! What I find funny is most can't tell the difference between him talking live and the networks and cable replaying his appearances because they get their news from the internet and most of that is clips of what has already happened. Those complaining aren't listening they are just complaining to hear themselves complain. If Bush did the same thing..they would have complained about that as well.
Posted by: Heidi | September 22, 2009 11:34 AM