Obama on Letterman: Racism and Heart Shaped Potatoes (Video)

by Blaine Metzgar | September 22, 2009 at 09:07 am

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President Barack Obama's appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman last night, September 21, 2009, brought up talk of racism, the first-daughters' future boyfriends, and even a heart shaped potato made an appearance. While in New York for the United Nations General Assembly, the President took the time to do some PR hence his appearance on the Late Show. Last night's appearance on Letterman stands as the first time Barack has gone on a talk show since his election.

Mr. Obama started out by trading quips with Mr. Letterman about his daughters’ future dating prospects (the boyfriends may get stressed out by the men with guns who hang around) and what happens to the parents of schoolchildren who have Malia and Sasha over for sleepovers (they get frisked).

The conversation took a more serious turn when Letterman asked the President about sending more troops to Afghanistan and if he thought racism was behind the protests surrounding Obama's healthcare proposals. Obama wittily shot back, "first of all I think it is important to realize that I was actually black before the election."

The conversation then turned to vegetables when a woman from Missouri presented Barack with a heart shaped potato.

A woman from Missouri brought a heart-shaped potato to the show’s taping, and Mr. Letterman did a Top 10 list of reasons Mr. Obama agreed to do the show (No. 6: “Someone offers you 600 bucks, you take it, ladies and gentlemen”). Mr. Obama’s own explanation: “The main reason I’m here? I want to see that heart-shaped potato.”

The woman tossed the potato to Mr. Letterman, who gave it to the president, who put it in his pocket. “This is remarkable,” he said.

Remarkable indeed.

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