White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs told Time Magazine that President Barack Obama, with appearances with Jay Leno and David Letterman under his belt, was ready to take on Jon Stewart. But added he may not be up to the challenge of a face-to-face with Stephen Colbert.
Gibbs told Time correspondent Michael Scherer that he was surprised that he and David Axelrod were the first to grease the wheels for a sitting president to appear on the nation’s top two nightly entertainment talk shows.
Asked about the Daily Show, Gibbs said Obama would love to make an appearance there. But without prompting, Gibbs ruled out The Colbert Report, due to Colbert’s predilection and talent for turning politicians into pretzels. Gibbs said, “I have yet to see a politician best Stephen Colbert in an interview on his show.”
Daily Show staffers have reportedly put out the word that Obama is welcome any time he wants to make an appearance. No word as yet as to how Colbert is taking the snub.
