http://entertainment.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/21/14011123-bill-clinton-talks-romneys-whack-a-mole-methods-on-daily-show?lite
“The man is delusional,” Letterman said. “If he thinks we hate him … We are not in the hate business. We are here looking to make friends. … Now, Mitt Romney has been on the show many, many times. Let me ask you something, Mitt. If we hated you, why do we keep begging you to be on the show?
“Let me go out on a limb here and say … Mitt Romney or his little buddy, the vice president, who’s the little guy (referring to Paul Ryan) … Gilligan, his little buddy Gilligan … they have an open invitation to be on the show anytime, on short notice. You want to be here tomorrow? Fine. You want to be here Monday? Anytime, I don’t care. Bring in Mitt Romney, bring in Paul Ryan, bring in Mitt and Mrs. Mitt, bring in the kids … bring in everybody. We don’t hate you, Mitt! We don’t hate people!”
Context:
Bill Clinton comes as a guest on David Letterman's show. David Letterman sounds off on a prevailing story that Romney goes on Leno's show often, but not on Letterman's because Letterman dislikes him.
Assertion: We are not in the hate business.
Proving hate is a difficult thing here. Letterman mocks everybody, but he also allows people to speak and to express their points and opinions. Generally speaking, he has shown great respect for his guests (while together on stage). He has shown that he will use comments or events for future comic routines--remember the insanely funny depictions of McCain after a canceled appearance in 2008. Letterman's refutation makes it clear, officially, that the show does not function as a trap. Hate does not motivate it.
Assertion: Romney's comments are delusional.
This indicates that Romney or his people have a deep fear that the comic spin could hurt the candidate. Mitt has avoided many opportunities to go live on TV. He knows the power of gaffes. He uses them against President Obama, and his own gaffes have fueled intense criticism.--remember that business entities are people, too. The word delusional is an example hyperbole, but definitely paints Romney's concerns as inaccurate. Letterman acts with a comic's interests. He does satire. Satire can hurt. It can help.
Assertion: Invitation to come on anytime.
Probably accurate. Such high-profile guests fuel better ratings. The public gets to see a candidate at a relaxed time, under relaxed conditions. The dangers are what happens during spontaneity.
My reactions:
Mitt can counter humor with humor. He can understand the context, its helpful and its dangerous aspects. Mitt looks like he has chosen to project his own feelings about the two comics, that he feels more threatened by Letterman than Leno. Does this impact the elections? Perhaps, because it informs the public how this man enters a dangerous room, but dangerous or not, a generally relaxed environment. According to Letterman, Letterman's comedy does not set traps to ruin people.
Many politicians deprive the public from seeing them in these types of situations. Clinton played a sax and answered questions about marijuana usage and underwear preferences. He has endured years of public mocking for this, but he has rolled with it. The candidate cannot edit the tape.Instances of inconsistent opinions and policy can plague the guest. Comedy can become one of the most powerful motivations for a voter by establishing he person as human and engaging.
Romney's appearances on both shows has humanized him to my thinking, and have raised my opinions of him.
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