Obama Talks Health Care, Family, Potatoes on Letterman
President Obama was on CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman" tonight where he discussed health care reform, his daughters, his critics, and a heart-shaped potato belonging to an audience member named Mary Apple.
Which of the following topics were discussed when President Obama visited Letterman's show tonight?
A. Health care reform
B. His Political Opponents
C. Heart-shaped potatoes
D. All of the Above
Correct Answer: D
President Obama was on CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman" tonight, and the topics ranged from the serious (health care reform) to the light-hearted (his daughters) and the weird (a heart-shaped potato).
The story of the infamous heart-shaped potato is rather confusing and a little silly. The woman who brought the potato says that she showed it to Letterman two years ago, and she claims that the potato is responsible for Letterman getting married.
When President Obama first walked on stage, he told Letterman, "I didn't come for the Top Ten List. I want to get a look at that potato."
Letterman walked out to the audience and brought President Obama the potato.
President Obama drew a few laughs when he asked the woman, "What's your name? . . . Is that your real name, Mary Apple? And you carry around a heart-shaped potato?"
The biggest laugh-line of the night, though, was once again courtesy of President Obama. Letterman asked President Obama to comment on Jimmy Carter's accusation that there was an underlying racism in the latest protests against the president's policies.
President Obama deadpanned, "I think the important thing to remember, Dave, is that I was black before the election."
Letterman gave him plenty of time to talk about health care, the economy, and his detractors, and President Obama offered thoughtful, gracious answers. Even when pushed about the protesters, President Obama maintained a respectful tone and a controlled presence, and he stated that making sure millions of uninsured people get health insurance is not a "fascist" ideal.
Tonight, President Obama might have gotten just what he needed: a friendly chat, a few laughs, and a chance to talk to the American people uninterrupted.
