Hillary Clinton, live, on Saturday Night Live

Apparently it pays for a presidential candidate to inject "Saturday Night Live" into a serious political dialogue, as Hillary Clinton did during her most recent debate with Barack Obama.

Clinton's gambit may have struck some of those critiquing the debate as woeful, but SNL opened its latest show with another skit depicting Obama as the media's darling --- and her as its victim. More to the point, the coda to the sketch was an "Editorial Response" -- delivered by the candidate herself.

Clinton exchanged a few quips with her SNL portrayer, Amy Poehler. The pair were dressed precisely alike; cracked Clinton, “I love your outfit. I do want the earrings back.”

Then, Clinton got to deliver the program's signature line: "Live, from New York, it's Saturday Night."

Not a bad burst of free air time as the crucial Ohio and Texas primaries approach. Indeed, while ...

the Clinton camp continues to press its case that Obama has benefited from kid-glove press treatment (the New York Times examined the question in a Saturday piece), he and his aides might be wondering about now if SNL is in the tank for her.

The show's writers could hardly be blamed for such a tilt; the first Clinton presidency kept handing them material they could never have conjured up themselves.

Taking second billing to Clinton -- appropriately, given how his presidential campaign ended up -- was Rudy Giuliani. He appeared during the "Weekend Update" segment, trading a few jokes with "anchor" Seth Meyers (after first getting to plug John McCain, who he quickly endorsed after unplugging his own candidacy, as "an exceptional man").

Giuliani's best line? Comparing his White House quest to a SNL skit: "It started strong, but you really don't have an ending."

Clinton will try one more pre-primary comedy gig Monday on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show."

-- Don Frederick

Photo from NBC

Comments

[Tina]

Admirable final push by Hillary, but the consensus seems to be building against her:
http://acropolisreview.com/2008/02/endorsements-of-barack-obama.html

[jeanette]

Mr Frederick ,It appears to be,hands off obama.Stop crying foul with Clinton and SNL. I smell something foul with the news media,giving Obama a free pass.Wipe your tears and fess up. You know it's true.Sit back and enjoy her free pass on SNL.

[Pete A.]

Why in the world would we ever want a president who, rather than naturally commanding respect and love, resorts to complaining about not getting it? That's not a real leader, that's a manipulator.

[Strong African American Female For Hillary!!!!]

Smart move Hillary!! Go Girl! B**** is the new Black. You have my vote.

[joe]

Go Hillary!!!! Thanks SNL for finally saying the truth and being brave enough to counter the disgusting cult Obama and their Messiah. Thank God someone is actually laying off the kool-aid and thinking for themselves.

Ohio and Texas -- let's go -- get real -- no kool-aid for you.

Hilllary 08

[joe]

Go Hillary Go SNL. Finally the truth comes out. No more cult Obama -- let's get real!

Hillary 08

[todd]

I think hillary was awesome. I have decided she gets my vote on tuesday. GO HILLARY!

[chris]

Just two reasons why their attempt to argue that the media is biased against them is absurd. If Clinton had won ten primaries or caucuses in a row, do you think the MSM would have regarded Obama as still viable? And where are their fricking tax returns? Basic transparency on tax returns is a no-brainer for a presidential candidate. And yet she still hasn't done it and has absolutely no good reason for the delay, except to avoid scrutiny of her husband's post-presidential corporate whoring.

[chris]

Maybe Clinton deserves bad press. she cheats! she closed the doors an hour early in the nevada caucuses, spread robocalls and emails in nevada and south carolina saying obama was a muslim and anti-semitic and anti-hispanic.

NOW in TEXAS AND OHIO, she's sent instructions for caucus leaders to not let any supporters of other candidates (obama) have any leadership or important positions....

The Dallas Morning News gets hold of Clinton caucus "training materials," in which supporters are instructed to fight for procedural control of caucuses.

The materials say in part, "DO NOT allow the supporter of another candidate to serve in leadership roles."

It goes on to say, "If our supporters are outnumbered, ask the Temporary Chair if one of our supporters can serve as the Secretary, in the interest of fairness.

"The control of the sign-in sheets and the announcement of the delegates allotted to each candidate are the critical functions of the Chair and Secretary. This is why it is so important that Hillary supporters hold these positions."

Some of the moments on the ground in Nevada showed how crucial technical control can be, particularly when -- there, as expected in Texas -- nobody has any idea what the rules are. Really makes you love the caucus process.

[patriciad37]

Pathetic, isn't it! At least this time she didn't drag a small child onto the stage for a photo op. That's enough, it's time to bring down the curtain. Hillary needs to exit before her credibility is completely diminished.
The Clinton Act III should be dropped, two terms of Clintons as POTUS did enough for/to our country..

[Pat S, austin]

Why does Hillary keep finding excuses and scapegoats. Obviously she has not an inkling of what it is to be Barack. The media does not have to ask you questions to show they are against you. They can cause great harm through silent insinuations, subtle commentaries, underestimations, and blatant refusal to tell a struggling loser of ELEVEN STATES,go , walk away,move, stop, dejate,parate, done. On close examination, Hillary is the one getting the better part of the media, while the Statesman Obama conducts himself with dignity , pride, respect and the support of the people. He does not blame right wing, left wing,the media, NBC, the "delusional" Obama voters etc, etc. He blames no one . That's the leader we need to represent us here and throughout the world.

[Tungsten]

Clinton and Giuliani - I guess SNL likes having ex-candidates on the show?

Unfortunately, the skit was unfunny. We get the joke from last week, media's unfair. The audience barely laughed, it was kind of tense. Clinton's bit made it seems like a long commercial.

Giuliani killed. TV funhouse was good also. But man, that skit was lame. Plus, she messed up the line - she said "live from New York IT IS saturday night"

[dbzl]

Just saw hilary, weak, really weak. I think you would make an excellent VP or secretary for Barrack, he could use a wise older female satesmen running things

[daved]

Are you kidding me? Have we as a people gotten so dumb that we actually think that was awesome? What was it she did that was so awesome? She was no Peyton Manning..
Hilary just tell Barrack you want to run with him as his VP, or take a cabinet post I'm sure you know your way around the white house.

[Chris336]

Hillary needs to carry Texas and Ohio so she flies to New York City? Reminded me of her Wisconsin strategy when she flew straight to El Paso.

I thought SNL crossed a line last week when Tina Fey, during Weekend Update, said Hillary was, "the new black". Sounded like the gender card trying to trump race.

Hillary seems determined to split the party and take this nomination to the convention which only helps the Republicans stay in the White House. She’s not doing the country any favors and her self serving, manipulative crying, mud slinging and staged theatrics are going to be remembered every time a woman runs for any elected office.

[BJinChicago]

Obama promises change. However, real change isn’t voting against a cap on credit card interest rates and opposing a freeze on home foreclosures for subprime borrowers stung by unscrupulous mortgage brokers. Obama did both. Also, real change isn’t attacking NAFTA in Ohio while your chief policy aide tells the Canadians your criticism is just rhetoric. Obama did that too. (Of course, the story broke through the journalistic integrity of a news station in Canada.)
Hillary Clinton has the heart of a champion. She does not quit. It is that work ethic that has pulled so many people to vote for her. We know she will get the job done!
Hillary Clinton 2008!

[KT]

Hillary is a natural at thinking on her feet - and funny! Obama has to have his speeches written for him - or plagiarized! - and stumbles and bumbles his way through debates...even when they "softball" him. Hillary is the only candidate who can run this country. I want HER answering the phone in the White House this time next year! VOTE HILLARY!!!

[suzyku]

These women who are now going to vote for Hillary based on her SNL appearance is pathetic! As a woman I would like to see a woman in office, the right woman, Hillary is the wrong woman! It would be more of what we've had for the last terrible 8 years! She is a very nasty, manipulative piece of work, haven't we had enough of that?!!

[Patrick]

I'm pretty disappointed about the SNL debate sketches both weeks. It's a great 5 minute ad for Hillary. There is definitely a lot of positive press for Obama and SNL doesn't have to be neutral, but this seems over the top. Also, I didn't like that they make Obama sound stupid.

(Check out the SNL for Feb. 23. It was the other way around.)

[Charles]

I find it pathetic that a show as brilliant as SNL has to use it"s voice to endorse Hillary Clinton. Just because you one of you can't successfully do an Obama.. Better luck next time.

[NC4HILL]

Hillary is so awesome. We had a great local visibility showing at our capitol building in Raleigh today. So many of her supporters are rooting for her Tuesday night. We all knew February would be a difficult month but it looks like we are picking up some steam now and about to roll over the competition. I loved the last two SNLs and I can't wait to hear her on Jon Stewart who I watch religiously except recently because he IS one of the biased media. Ever since his remarks last semester when he started dissing her, I knew he was not a supporter. I even enjoy watching Fox news now, a shocker, because they talk crap about both democratic candidates so at least it is equal.

Hillary 4 President 2008!

Barack 4 VP (let him unite congress before he takes on the whole country).

[christy]

WOW LOOK AT ALL THE OBAMA HATERS ON THIS BLOG! WHEN SAINT OBAMA GOT OPRAH NO ONES WAS WHINING! BOO HOO! HILLARY IS ACTUALLY LIKE BECAUSE SHE HAS MADE STRONG POINTS IN HELPING PEOPLE FOR YEARS UNLIKE SAINT OBAMA AND HIS CROOKED WAYS WITH SLUM LORDS! GIVE IT A BREAK WHY DONT YOU GIVE CREDIT AT LEAST TO A WOMEN THAT HAS ACHIEVED IN LIFE! ARE YOU JEALOUS! SUPPORT YOUR CANDIDATE BUT BE GROWN UP ENOUGH TO LET OTHERS WANT WHAT THEY WANT! THANK YOU! HILLARY YOUR FREEKEN AWSOME!

[NADEEM TAHIR]

DOES ANYONE KNOW IF OBAMA HAS TAKEN A STAND ON LEGALIZING COCAINE AND MARIJUANA. SINCE HE HAS DONE THESE DRUGS HIMSELF HE KNOWS THAT THEY ARE USED FOR PLEASURE AND DO NOT HARM. LEGALIZING WOULD ALSO FREE A LOT OF BLACK FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN DISPROPORTIONATELY PUT IN JAIL FOR DRUG RELATED CRIMES.

(We addressed that issue back on Feb. 5. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/02/oops-obama-was.html )

[Jorson]

Very Funny. Boy the Obama fanatics are sensitive. Obama reminds of a recruiter I met from a Multi Level Marketing Company a long time ago. He use to say over and over sell the dream, sell the dream, people don't care if it works or not. Just sell the dream, people will buy it guaranteed. I watch Obama talk and man he's a really a good talker. I think he's better than that recruiter. Obama belongs in the Hall of Fame for good talkers.

[Derek]

It seems Hillary Clinton thinks she deserves the nomination simply because it's her turn. She's really Washington establishment at its worse.

When things started to look bad for her, she started with the ole school dirty politics, just like Bush.

Now its about fear politics, like Bush.

If she can manipulate a steal, or bogus nonination (like Bush) she will.

I'm glad Ms. Clinton showed who she is and how she'd lead (like Bush).