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comment by user-inactivated
user-inactivated  ·  3913 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Watch President Barack Obama Insult Zach Galifianakis On ‘Between Two Ferns’ For HealthCare.gov

He was purposefully attempting to promote healthcare.gov to a younger audience.





OftenBen  ·  3913 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I get the purpose. But I think we have to draw a line somewhere of how much we can combine government and entertainment.

user-inactivated  ·  3913 days ago  ·  link  ·  

That's fair, but my line would be a lot looser than yours; it's never bothered me when the president attends some symphony in the Rose Garden, or shoots hoops with the NBA champions. I'm absolutely certain that for the entire eight years Obama has been/will be in office, he's not had one single carefree night, so I cut him slack if he decides that Between Two Ferns is a better marketing tool than the White House Press Room.

In other words, there are many valid criticisms of Obama (and any president), but "he doesn't work hard enough" I would be willing to bet is never one of them.

OftenBen  ·  3913 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I'm not saying he doesn't do his job. I'm also not saying he's not allowed time off, basketball games, time with his family, friends, etc.

What I AM saying is that our government shouldn't be using click-bait tactics. What I AM saying is that we shouldn't permit our government to market itself like a new movie or television series.

It has nothing to do with his choice of topic, and everything to do with his choice of venue.

user-inactivated  ·  3913 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Okay, but if the 25-34 demographic does not pay attention anymore, and his health care system requires their attention to work ... he's in an impossible position.

So, he chose to go viral. And I think it helped.