President Barack Obama took to the couch of ABC's The View Wednesday for an interview that aired today, addressing a wide range of issues from Chelsea Clinton's wedding (he wasn't invited) to the war in Afghanistan (it's "tough"). While some had criticized the Obama's unprecedented decision to participate in a daytime talk show, he jokily justified the move: "I was trying to find a show that [First Lady] Michelle actually watched," he said, sparking applause. Did Obama's appearance help him reach a new audience — or merely denigrate the country's highest office? (Watch the best moments from Obama's appearance.)
Good as it could be: Obama was "predictably charming," says Daniel Stone in Newsweek. Though the questions often drifted into pop-culture territory, "it wasn't all fluff." Obama sparred with conservative co-host Elisabeth Hasselbeck over his job-creation policies, and openly discussed the oil spill, Afghanistan, and the firing of Shirley Sherrod. Was it "a net gain for the White House"? Tough call. "But it’s hard to see how Obama lost any ground...."
Bad move, Mr. President: Obama's quip about picking a show Michelle "actually watched" was pathetic, says Jeanne Sager in Cafe Mom's The Stir blog. Obama reduced his "talented, Harvard Law graduate wife" to the level of an average "daytime TV fan." Sorry, Obama, but you just lost your "chief asset with the ladies."
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Obama snookered us: Obama lied, says Jonah Goldberg in the National Review. During his appearance, he said he "didn't know who Snooki is." But during the White House Correspondents Dinner, he joked about the entire Jersey Shore cast, mentioning Snooki by name. "So which is it, Mr. President? I, for one, demand articles of impeachment be drawn up. Unless, of course, he can blame it all on the TelePrompTer."
The View hosts 1, Obama 0: "Be rude about daytime TV all you like," says Richard Adams in the Guardian, but the hosts of The View asked "some pretty pointed questions." Unfortunately, Obama was "the one giving the soft soap."
No surprises here: The president's appearance "had all the heft of a cotton candy making contest," says Jennifer Brett in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. It "felt like a prolonged campaign speech, with the president listing his administration’s triumphs on matters like the sweeping financial and health-care bills." But, really, did anyone expect anything different?
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