CliffyWorld

As Hurricane Ike lashed the Texas coast back on Friday night September 12th, Senator Barack Obama announced he would not appear on the season premiere of “Saturday Night Live.” The Obama campaign released the following statement: In light of the unfolding crisis in Texas, Senator Obama has decided it is no longer appropriate to appear on “Saturday Night Live” tomorrow evening.

Lorne Michaels, creator and executive producer for “Saturday Night Live” had issued a statement that Friday September 12th about the tone of SNL, saying “If it’s [the hurricane] serious, it will change everything for us. The tone of the show will shift, and it would be inappropriate for the senator to do if it looks in any way like it’s going to be a tragedy.” Michaels and the SNL players didn't have a meltdown or hissy fit. The show went on the air as scheduled featuring the extremely funny Tina Fey as Sarah Palin and Amy Poehler as Hillary Clinton skit. Ratings were high and the show was very successful.

Saturday September 13th the day the SNL appearance was to be, Obama was in New Hampshire. In front of his many supporters he said “I spoke on the phone with the head of FEMA and the Mayor of Houston and others as they were trying to grapple with Hurricane Ike. They don't know what the damages will be but 100,000 homes will be lost, 4,000,000 people are without power and search and rescue teams are arriving in Galveston to assist the people who didn't evacuate”. Then concluded by saying “it will be a very difficult time for people living in the Gulf”.

As Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal(R), Texas Gov. Rick Perry(R), Florida Gov. Charlie Crist(R), Alabama Gov. Bob Riley(R) and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour(R) coordinated their resources and efforts to provide Hurricane assistance, Senator Obama was in New Hampshire just talking as he does that very well. Obama could have appeared on SNL but 4,000,000 people couldn't watch him. Lorne Michaels of SNL was stiffed but never complained.

As the US economy continues to fail due to the irresponsible CEO management of AIG, Merrill Lynch, Freddy Mac, Fannie Mae and by the unqualified Chair of the House Financial Services Committee, Mass. Senator Barney Frank (D) and SEC Chairman Christopher Cox, Senator John McCain decided to suspend his campaign and appearance on the David Letterman show to “deal with this problem before the House and Senate”. To be fair, Obama, McCain and Clinton have not worked for over a year while on the campaign trail casting zero votes in the Senate. The country being on the verge of a depression should require much more serious attention rather than passing legislation on the naming Post Offices don't you think? McCain decided to go back to work which called for cancelling his first debate with Obama. (This could change if legislation is pasted by Friday)

Unlike Lorne Michaels and the SNL cast who graciously moved on with their show, David Letterman blew a gasket when McCain canceled his appearance. In a very distorted way he praised McCain on his military service only to insult him afterwards while still in the same sentence and insinuating that an appearance on his show holds a higher value than legislative duties. Making fun of McCain's age Letterman goes on and on displaying bitterness and disgust only to be interrupted by his side-kick Paul Shaffer who called Sarah Palin “a good looking babe”. As Dan Rather would put it “the situation in the Letterman studio would give aspirin to a headache” a situation only to get worse with the appearance of MSNBC commentator Keith Olbermann. In a full court press they team screw McCain. Need I remind my readers, MSNBC is officially called the Obama network. No need to prove that statement as Olbermann and buddy Chris Mathews were demoted by MSNBC for being political advocates for Obama rather than anchors.

Tossing bowling balls off of roofs, running things over with a steam roller, elevator races in skyscrapers was the Letterman of old, funny and innovative. He has become a very bitter man with a political ax to grind. Johnny Carson, Letterman's predecessor would always invite politicians to his show and never once treated them with disrespect. His famous monologues satirized many political figures but never insulted them. Carson will always be considered the “king” of late night TV. CBS should consider replacing Letterman with an entertainer.

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