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Obama Tells Letterman: "I Was Actually Black Before The Election"
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 22, 2009
Modified Sep 22, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 22, 2009
Modified Sep 22, 2009
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Besides admiring the heart-shaped potato an audience member brought in, President Barack Obama continued his media blitz by discussing various issues with David Letterman on the Late Show just now. For instance, when Letterman asked about former President Jimmy Carter's belief that some political attacks against the President (including Rep. Wilson's "You lie!") were steeped in racism, Obama joked, "It's important to realize that I was actually black before the election."
After Letterman asked him how long he's been a black man, Obma said it's not uncommon for people to be upset when a President tries to introduce change (examples: FDR, JFK, Reagan): "You know, one of the things you sign up for in politics is folks yell at you, but I think that what has been missing from the conversation is that the overwhelming majority of people, Republican or Democrat, I think they just want to see some common sense, they want to see some honesty and integrity in Washington. I think they're turned off by the shouting and the yelling, and they expect more from their public elected officials."
Obama also said, "The American people, I think, gave me this extraordinary honor. That tells you a lot, I think, about where the country is at." Also discussed: Health care (video after the jump; Letterman suggested, "The one idea I’d like to see right away are those death panels. If we could get those in place right away"), Afghanistan ("Afghanistan is a real difficult situation...[The threat remains] extremists who want to kill innocents"), and his daughters (they goofed off during their vacation).
The Top Ten Reasons Why Obama Is on the Late Show (full list after the jump) included "Said yes, without thinking, like Bush did with Iraq." And Letterman joked during his monologue that he hadn't seen the President since he was invited to the White House for a beer with Sarah Palin, referring to the talk show host's dust-up earlier this summer with the former Alaska Governor. Of course, Obama's previous Letterman appearance in 2008 sparked the infamous "lipstick on a pig" debacle.
President Obama explains why health care reform is important:
Top Ten Reasons Why Obama Is on the Late Show:
10. Heard the lady with the heart-shaped potato was gonna be here.
9. Thought it would be fun to watch someone else get heckled.
8. Something to do with that whole Cash For Clunkers deal.
7. Every president since Teddy Roosevelt has done it.
6. Someone offers you 600 bucks, you take it ladies and gentlemen.
5. We told him Megan Fox would be here.
4. Needed some time to hang out before check-in time at his hotel.
3. I have no idea.
2. Said yes, without thinking, like Bush did with Iraq.
1. Wanted to congratulate Dave on the big Emmy win.
Tagged
david letterman
health care reform
jimmy carter
Joe Wilson
media blitz
president obama
racism
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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