It wasn't April 1st so it couldn't be April Fool's Day. It was March 1st. Still, there she was, presidential candidate Hillary Clinton saying those famous words, "Live from New York, It's Saturday Night Live."In an unannounced and potentially savvy political move, Senator Hillary Clinton, appeared on the NBC late night comedy and showed that she can laugh at herself. This surprise appearance, coupled with her agreeing to be on Monday's Daily Show with Jon Stewart, can only help her in Tuesday's primaries in Texas, Ohio, Rhode Island and Vermont. It's pretty much desperation time for the Clinton candidacy and if Hillary wants to make it to the Denver convention with a chance to beat Barack Obama, she must win Texas and Ohio -- the big states -- decisively.
It's kind of a shame that Hillary waited till now to appear on SNL. As I wrote when she mentioned that she might appear on Dancing with the Stars (if she were to ever appear on a reality show), Hillary needs to present her down-to-earth, real people side more often. There are few that doubt her credentials as a policy wonk. Even fewer that doubt she's a very smart person with leadership skills. But what about being someone you can hang out with and just dish about last night's episode of Desperate Housewives or that really weird disease on House? Is Hillary watching American Idol?
Frankly, I don't think Barack would be any better than Hillary talking about current TV -- he's more of an ESPN guy anyway, you know. You just know he can tell you who should win the NBA MVP this year, LeBron or Kobe? Ultimately, the choice of who will be the Democratic candidate for president isn't about who can schmooze about pop culture better; it's going to be about a myriad of other variables, not the least of which is who can beat the Republican candidate, Senator John McCain, in a general election and who can successfully hold the office of the presidency once elected.
But for at least one night, one Saturday Night Live, Hillary played along, got the joke and made a lot of people see that she's not all business, all the time. Whether it's enough to win her votes remains to be seen. For now, I think, it wins her some good press -- and, from me, a smile.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-03-2008 @ 10:24AM
Argus said...
Pffft... Until Hilary acknowledges the troubles her husband caused to third world countries I'll never vote for her...
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...Also because I'm Canadian.
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3-03-2008 @ 6:00PM
johngaltx said...
Canadians can have opinions about US politics, but nobody down here cares what they are.
3-03-2008 @ 10:35AM
Oreo said...
I won't ever vote for her, she is evil and I have a list of things I hate about her.
This SNL thing is a last ditch effect to try to win back some young voters, who are 95% Obama supporters.
It's like when she tries to fake cry to get the women's vote, it's all just a game. She doesn't care about Americans, she just cares about herself and will do anything to win.
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3-03-2008 @ 10:36AM
Jimmy said...
Appearing on one of the worst episodes of SNL ever -- with a host that skews toward teen-age girls -- yeah, that's politically savvy, all right.
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3-03-2008 @ 11:00AM
YouFaceTheTick said...
How did Hillary laugh at herself? The skit was a softball that failed to mock anyone but the media. Both of the idiot candidates were let off the hook. All she did is show up for five minutes and reveal how awful Amy Poehler really is.
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3-03-2008 @ 1:13PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
Euguene,
Come on, she'd sell her soul to become president. She overlooked her husband's affairs with ugly fat girls to remain in the white house. It's obvious she has no dignity or shame in her body. Lots of botox though. Do you really think someone on a comedy show calling her annoying and pushy will offend her? If that's the worst they come up with, while they level far more at her opponent, why would she be offended?
3-03-2008 @ 11:24AM
eugene said...
heh? That skit opened with 'hilary' talking about what an annnoying and shrill personality she had... she went on for what seemed like a full minute on how awful her personality was... I hardly find that a softball.
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3-03-2008 @ 12:32PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
Wow, that's ridicule? In the same breath they also said her shrill personality would result in companies changing and industries bowing to her wishes. That's a softball. They say she's tenacious and will get things done.
3-03-2008 @ 12:44PM
eugene said...
Wow, you put more spin on that than a top during hanukkah.
3-03-2008 @ 1:23PM
Thomas said...
It amazes me that Tina Fey was head writer on SNL, which is shit, but also managed to create and write 30 Rock, which is most definitely not. I wonder if there's something about the setup of SNL that is fundamentally flawed and prevents quality material being produced?
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3-03-2008 @ 2:56PM
Argus said...
Lorne Michaels.
3-03-2008 @ 12:15PM
Rob said...
The cold open was kinda funny. Revealing how Hillary always seems to be first in the debate process and how the press seems to like Obama. But I don't think the spot did anything to help (or hurt) her current standings.
One question though,.. I know there was this big fuss over Fred Thompson and how if he was going to run for president, he had to leave L&O while he was campaigning in order to give "fair" TV coverage.
Well if that's true, that there is some rule saying that all parties are allowed equal TV coverage,.. then where is Obama's extra TV spot?
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3-03-2008 @ 12:32PM
YouFaceTheTick said...
They'd probably be delighted to get anyone on there. So Obama could appear if he wants to.
3-03-2008 @ 12:40PM
reb said...
Obama actually was on SNL before the strike.
3-03-2008 @ 5:11PM
Paul said...
SNL is just old, that's all.
I am not a big fan of Hillary, but I will NEVER EVER EVER NO WAY ON EARTH vote for Obama. I am young, and I don't care at all for Obama. I have friends who like Obama because they like his personality. No one can seem to give me any reason other then I just like the guy so I'm gonna vote for him. I don't care if they say 95% of young voters like Obama because I'm young and I will never vote for him. My other young friends would never vote for him. I think Obama is just full of talk and just puts on a nice show and looks great on camera. But HE IS NO KENNEDY!!!!!!! NOT EVEN CLOSE!!!!!!! And Kennedy isn't great to begin with but at least he has more experience then Obama. That is ridiculous that these people turned a Presidential election into a popularity contest of who has the better personality. Ridiculous. But then what would I expect from people who attacks every candidate who has substance with personality issues. That's the far left smear machine for ya!
I thought Hillary did a descent job and even though you know it's very well rehearsed, but the fact that she did it does say something about her and I will at least give her that credit. No I don't think it's desperate, because Obama already did it, I think she just realized she needs to do things like that or she'd end up like Guillianni who insisted his thinking was right to throw everyone on Florida even though it was obvious the tides completely changed against his favor. But he kept insisting. Hillary at least realized that she needs to adapt. So hey, that's a sign of what her presidency would be like...she adapats...but I'll probably end up voting for McCain...even if she runs...but I will at least consider her...but NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER OBAMA!!!!!!!!!!
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3-03-2008 @ 5:50PM
teenagertc said...
We get it, you're young and would never vote for Obama...You could've saved us all time and just said that in one sentence.
Also, you are so cool for going against the mainstream for people your age. How were you able to seperate yourself? I wish I was your friend....
3-04-2008 @ 7:58AM
Jimmy said...
Hillary did a *descent* job, eh? I thought it was Monica who ... went down.
3-07-2008 @ 12:22PM
Nathaniel said...
What? No mention (except in a comment) of the fact that Obama already did this months ago?
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