SNL's Campaign Trail: Fauxbama, Huckabee, And Tina Fey Endorsing Clinton

Is Bitch the New Black? If you believe Tina Fey on "Saturday Night Live" last night, then damn straight; if you don't, you may well be burning up the NBC message boards right now. Last night politics was center stage on SNL, with an epic cold open spoofing the latest CNN debate between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama (over 8 minutes), a supersized "Weekend Update" (11 minutes), and about as close as SNL could come to a live, on-air endorsement of Hillary Clinton by host and returning alumna Tina Fey. In a segment on Update called "Women's News" ("It's a great time to be a lady in America!") Fey celebrated the news of a woman running for president — and then (after a bitty swipe at Oprah), proceeded to take aim at a number of Hillary-hating arguments: That if elected she wouldn't be able to "control" hubby Bill Clinton and there'd be "co-presidents" in the White House ("'Cause that would be terrible, having two intelligent, qualified people working together to solve problems — why would you let Starsky talk to Hutch?"); reassuring the audience that, even though they were married, they were having "about as much sex as George Bush and Jeb Bush are" and smacking down Rush Limbaugh for his comments that "America's not ready to watch their president turn into an old lady. "Really?" asked Fey. "'Cause they didn't seem to mind when Ronald Reagan did that." But what bugged her most, said Fey, was when people said that Clinton was a bitch. "Yeah, she is," said Fey. "And so am I — and so is this one over here," gesturing at Amy Poehler. "Yeah, deal with it," said Poehler. Fey's point: Bitches got things done, yo, and that's why Hillary would be a good president. "So I'm sayin, it's not too late, Texas and Ohio, get on board! Bitch is the new black!" An exhortation of voters to the polls to vote their bitch in? Bill Clinton probably couldn't have done it more effectively. Watch it here:







Commenters are already incensed (both on the NBC chat boards and in our comments sections, so far) but to be fair, it's about equal to the Lorne Michaels endorsement of Obama, who said Obama would be hard to mock because he was a "truly heroic figure." Also, it's worth noting that many Hillary supporters are chiming in with gratitude to Fey for articulating a sentiment that had made them feel marginalized in the face of Obamania.

Speaking of which, SNL also tapped Fred Armisen to play its Obama (details here), which he did with his brow furrowed the whole time, doing a nice rendering of Obama's from-30,000 feet speechifying and penchant for scribbling during debates. The CNN debate spoof greedily hit on it all around the central conceit that the media was "totally in the tank" with Obama. Kristen Wiig was a smitten Campbell Brown, Jason Sudeikis a drooling John King, and Will Forte a dashingly handsome Jorge Ramos, whose question to Obama was "Are you comfortable? Can we get you anything?" while all three panelists ignored and insulted Amy Poehler's Clinton (by far the best example of that was when Wiig's Brown smacked down Clinton for interrupting the "randomly selected" audience questioner, Obama Girl. "I think you owe Obama Girl and all the people of this nation an Obam-apology," she deadpanned. Classic). Props to Amber Lee Ettinger, aka Obama Girl, for hitting the big time — hearing Fey thank Mike Huckabee, Steve Martin, Carrie Underwood and Obama Girl at the end of the show was really a testament to how much the advent of viral vid has changed thing. Watch the whole great segment here:

Finally, there was the aforementioned Governor Huckabee, completing the late-night talk show circuit and spoofing himself in a segment that mirrored his campaign rather well — he was charming, funny and refused to leave. Watch it below:







As long as we're rocking the full SNL YouTube thing, here's Fey's opening monologue with a guest turn by Steve Martin, who always seems to monologue about how great, wonderful and what a big star he is. I'm just sayin'. Cogent writer's strike commentary in that, too. Chekkit here:







And finally: Tina Fey wished announcer Don Pardo a very happy birthday — his 90th! — during the goodnights last night — he doesn't look it by a long shot, nor sound it. Wow. Many more, Don Pardo!

Comments

[strifeknot]

As if I needed another reason to dislike the unfunny Fey.

[Camel54]

Watch it! Nobody puts Tina Fey in a corner!

[BubbaJudge]

I'm glad SNL gave all the angry nasty hateful women out there some laughs, Lord knows they need it. Maybe in turn they will give us all a rest for a week till we can get this thing finished off on the 4th, and they can go back to blaming everyone for gender discrimination and negative campaigning, or essentially, the pot calling the kettle black.

Tina is my ultimate woman, love her, but its a shame that she is caught up with these angry women that this is simply a gender issue.

The issue the overwhelming majority of us have with Hillary is she is no different from Bush and the GOP. Under her presidency it would be a continuation of policy and corruption that has almost killed this country.

Thats not a gender issue, thats a human issue.

[AnninCA]

Obamamania symptoms include a strange loss of perspective and loss of sense of humor.

[useyourbrain]

Hey, I am not an angry woman. I am not a woman. I am a man and can't help but notice the sexism directed at Hillary. Maybe if some of these self-hating women Obamatons (or are they Obamettes) stepped back and took a good look they would see the choice of words use for HRC vs. BO, the choice of stories and the absolute lack of any vetting of his background and his history. He came out of nowhere. He is the Chauncey Gardener put up by Corporatists, poll tested, and presented like a new product.

[boomerbabe]

For the life of me.. I cannot understand that the women of my generation cannot see how they are being manipulated. It is so clear who is the "better" candidate.. My fellow boomer women in an attempt to be identified as "still with it" are supporting Obama. It's pathetic..
Hillary has done an outstanding job as senator of NY. She was noted from the day she started to serve . Obama has been in the Senate.. has he carved out the type of respect accross the isles as Hillary has. Has he lead important legistalative initiatives? Hillary has studied hard, worked hard and earned the right to be President.. No smoke and mirrors here.. just hard work, brains and determination. I am bereft. I say to all my fellow boomers "et tu Brute"!!!

[mansky]

This is NOT the kind of support that will help Clinton. Introducing" bitch" into the campaign dialogue may rev
up some of her supporters, but it will turn off more moderate, working class men.

[AnitaBee]

I laughed myself silly watching the Saturday Night Live skits the other night. SNL has been un-funny for so long that this was a real treat. But I don't make my decisions about who to support based on which candidate a comedian supports or mocks. I had supported Edwards but when he dropped out, I looked at those who were left, and my only real choice was Obama. I like his record (the one that Hillary keeps claiming he doesn't have). I don't agree with all his policy positions but I know that a president doesn't get all his initiatives rubber-stamped. A president has to work with Congress and this one has shown that he can get things done. He has in the past, gotten significant and important laws passed. Hillary, competent though she may be at a great many things, is proving incompetent as a candidate. You can blame the media for many things (and I do), but not for her poor showing. The Clintons simply made bad decisions about what to do, what to say, what positions to take, etc, That, plus her record, which, unfortunately for her, some of us really did go back and check, are working against her.

[useyourbrain]

He has shown that he can get any rules against control of Coal and Nuke producers tossed out of a bill. You have got to be kidding on his legislative accomplishments.

[LucyWatts]

These days I refer to the Obama campaign as the "Sanjaya Syndrome"... American Idol watchers will know what I mean. It seems every once in awhile the American people get caught up in a fad and carry it to the extreme. Remember the Cabbage Patch Dolls? Millions of people jumped through hoops to buy these things. Why??

[jaycasey]

Obama is no fad. JFK was no fad. Most Americans know a real deal when they see it. I'm just glad Obama came along in my lifetime.

[mattius]

JFK was green, just like Obama is. Bay of Pigs anyone? Most Americans DO NOT know the real deal, or we'd be on the tail end of a Gore administration. The Obama thing is way out of hand, he's a lightweight, she's been though a hell of a lot more, and people need to acknowledge her and start talking about that. BITCH IS THE NEW BLACK, SUCKAS.

[EinChicago]

JFk was no fad. Obama is no JFk. Obama is most definitely a fad. I just can't figure out if he is a cabbage patch doll or a power ranger.

[useyourbrain]

Hey, I was around when JFK was president and BO is no JFK. In fact, JFK was no JFK -- his accomplishments, his tactics, etc. were not what we would expect now. He was a major womanizer and adulterer and he voted in 1956 against the Civil rights voting act. He had to be dragged into the Civil Rights fight in the early 60's.

Is Obama your personal god? Do you have a personal relationship with Obamjesus?

[mojopo]

Bitch IS the new black. I've been saying that since Saturday night. I fell off my bed laughing during this skit. I kept waiting for Arianna to show up and offer Obama warm towels and wrapped presents.

I'm so glad the writers are back to spoof the media. This campaign has been a DRAG without them!

[AnninCA]

You have such a good point! I hadn't thought about the writer's strike even affected the campaign coverage.

[Jey]

Tina Fey I love but why all the hate against a fellow democrat? Why is it we shoot our foots off every time there is an election? We can't even unite as a party. More ammunition for the Republicons. Yes it is a joke but it was a bit harsh. Was it really necessary to use the word 'Bitch' so much? SNL should not have let Tina Fey or anyone else endorse anyone. It's a comedy show. Make fun and do whatever but Tina Fey was way over heard here. Oh Rosanna, Rosanna Danna how this world misses you. Peace.

[jaycasey]

Tina Fey has always made my skin crawl. I don't care whether we're talking comedy or politics, bitchyness is nothing to be proud of.

[AnninCA]

Frankly, the Democrats deserve whatever they get.

The political response to this has been a story of betrayal, flip-flopping, abandonment of core party opinion.

I have no sympathy whatsover for the Democratic party.

They want Oprah to call the shots?

Good luck.

[eljodio]

And Iraq is the new black, deal with it bitches. I'm sure those families that have lost young men and women in the Iraq war appreciated Tina Fey's advocacy of her candidate, a vindication of all that women have worked over over the decades in a male dominated society. Imagine, in a cool moment, trying to make the case for HRC in a roomfull of disabled Iraqi veterans and their families. How well would that go down? Also, how come Margaret Thatcher is never trumpeted as a symbol of all that women have worked for? Anyone recall her put down of Mandela as a criminal and her vitrolic rants against sanctions against South Africa? If it's more about who you are as opposed to what you stand for, then Maggie Thatcher ought to be a towering symbol of achievement for women everywhere, but the fact is that she isn't. So this is what I don't get it: Why do the women supporters of Hilary Clinton insist on seeing her as the culmination of what women have worked and struggled for over the years? I mean, what has she done for women in her thirty-five years of experience? I mean, when did Walmart ever advocate for the plight of women, especially working women? So, instead of defending HRC and making empty rhetorical gestures on her behalf, why not advocate for what she stands for, her record? Put down the Koolaid for a moment, and instead of putting down Obama's supporters as cultists, say this is what HRC stands for and this is why I support her, in addition to being a woman. But I think this case would be less than convincing because, like Bush, the stench of blood and death and political opportunism overwhelms her Ladyship.

[EinChicago]

I lost my little brother in Iraq. And I support HRC wholeheartedly. Obama is a vague, empty fad that offers no actual plan for getting us out of Iraq other than some vague grandiose statements. great. The GOP will keep him hiding behind Michelle's skirts for 4 years before he actually can do anything. HRC actually has teh ability and a plan to get us out.


The war, and getting us out, is my single biggest issue. It's why I support HRc and not mr. Platitutde.

[Cid]

And HRC, who's voted for everything that Bush has wanted (including the war) will do that how? She hasn't had the plan, or exhibited the courage to do so, since she's been in the Senate, but if elected it will somehow magically appear? I'm sorry about your brother, but other brother's are still dying. Where has she been on this issue for the past 5 years? - Sincerely, A 3rd Generation US Veteran.

[Anie]

Ah, you're continuing the usual Lady Macbeth thing. Before voting on the AUMC she made a long statement (full text at http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/011884.php )
Clinton said:

===

"My vote is not, however, a vote for any new doctrine of pre-emption, or for uni-lateralism, or for the arrogance of American power or purpose -- all of which carry grave dangers for our nation, for the rule of international law and for the peace and security of people throughout the world."

===

As most people here know, Obama wasn't a U.S. senator yet, and in 2004 said to Russert (in defense of Kerry's vote) that he himself could not be sure how he would have voted, not being privy to the papers they were given in the Senate.

His eloquent anti-war speech was made as a state senator of a very liberal anti-war district. Since being in the U. S. Senate, he's voted in lockstep with Hillary Clinton on all things Iraq except that he voted for the confirmation of General Casey and she voted against it.

Clinton's full text made clear (if one reads it) that the Resolution before them was the one they could get at that point for avoiding war (if we had an honest president) because it threatened Iraq with war only IF Iraq would not allow inspectors. To that end the Resolution worked, Iraq was allowing them, but our Prez ignored the limitations of that Resolution and went to war despite not having the authority to do that within that Resolution -- legalities don't interest this Bush.)

[ClaudiaJean]

Logic. Coherent content. Rational thought. Facts.

What are you doing here? :)

I think you owe some people an Obamapology... :)

[AnninCA]

Obama's entire stance on this has been a fairy tale.

Bill was dead on.

[Cid]

Great post. Unfortunately the Clinton Kool-Aid drinkers think everybody else drank it, not them. Her '35 years experience'?... an exaggeration at best. Obama's held elected public office longer than Hillary. She's a two term senator, that's it. She hasn't done that very well either, as you've already pointed out, and now she wants a promotion? It seems the only arguments her supporters are capable of making is that she's a woman, that she's married to Bill, and then they call Obama supporters cultist. If she ever tried to run on her record, she'd have to run as a republican. But the facts obviously have a 'liberal' bias, and Hillary's no liberal. She's not even really a Democrat, if you judge her by her record.

[useyourbrain]

John Kerry, Edwards and Daschle voted for the war and they are major Obama supporters. I think Daschle is even the head of his S. Dakota church (not that many peoples in S. Dakota) and this is what he said when he voted for the resolution: the threat of Iraq's weapons programs "may not be imminent. But it is real. It is growing. And it cannot be ignored."

Does this mean he will damn them to hell and not allow them to be part of his campaign? Why not? They voted like HRC and 76 other Senators did.

It's easy not to vote on something when you are not in that body that does vote.

[fvscvte]

obama keeps voting to give George Bush the money to fight his war. if he is so against the war, why give up the money?

[cambio]

Tina must have missed the part where Hillary Clinton can't beat John McCain, which kind of puts the whole question to rest. She can't be a "bad ass bitch" when she is watching McCain in the White House from the sidelines now can she?

[Mat8675]

too bad....i used to like tina fey.

[ClaudiaJean]

and you don't now because.... she seemingly supports Hilary Clinton? you are fickle and how very scary that something like that would turn you off to a talented woman writer/comic entire.... so sad.

[fvscvte]

I still do like Tina Fey!

[musicstreet]

I seriously believe these Obama supporters could use some "HELP" instead of "HOPE".

[AnninCA]

Man, hasn't that become obvious!

[JoDeeVa]

I really don't understand the venom and animosity of the Obama supporters. Reminiscent of Bush, with the "you're either with us or a traitor" mentality, it portends poorly for the democratic party in the general election, if he is the nominee. The Huffington Post has not officially endorsed either candidate, but our fearless leader and many bloggers here have made it perfectly clear they endorse Obama.
Yet, with this blog, rabid Obama supporters are foaming at the mouth..Rachel Sklar is attacked as being biased (isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?); Tina Fey is called homely and ugly (you can't come up with anything more mature/intelligent, WTF? ); HuffPost is accused of bias (uh, get a clue); Obama supporters' comments are so vitriolic it is boggles the mind...all because of some comedy on SNL, lampooning their candidate? Wake up, people..this is nothing compared to what will come with the general election! Personal attacks and threatening to riot in the streets, if Obama is not the nominee, is like a child throwing a temper tantrum when they don't get their way. Eventually, people just ignore you, along with the rants and raves.


It's called satire and it's intent is to challenge and provoke debate, especially on issues that seem so glaringly overlooked by the general punditry and MSM.
The debate sketch was right on and well overdue, given the skate and adoration Obama has been given by the press..I mean, come on! Bitch is the new black?..I loved it, found it both funny and a validation of what many have not been saying. Women, especially Hillary Clinton, as a Presidential candidate deserve better than to be denigrated with the "bitch" label for doing what they have to do, to be heard by the gender-bigots of the world, whose intent with said label is to alienate. Tina Fey (and Amy Poehler) taking it on with humour, admonishing the negativity of the label and invoking a "let your inner-bitch freak flag fly" was outrageously zany and the epitome of "Bitches get things done!"
Thank-you, Tina, Amy and Rachel..bitchin'!!

[cambio]

I don't condone attacking Tina Fey, but do you really want to talk about who's actions hurt the Democratic Party more?? Look at Hillary saying Obama isn't fit to be commander in chief, look at her mocking Obama, even though Obama is going to be our nominee, does THAT help the Democratic Party? Does one of our main candidates acting like a child reflect well on us?? Talk about throwing a temper tantrum, and that isn't even talking about her supporters, that is YOUR OWN CANDIDATE acting like that!

I really don't need to hear lectures on etiquette from Hillary supporters, who have been calling Obama supporters naive kool-aid drinkers and cultists for months now. I've heard Hillary supporters bringing race into the campaign, I've heard them say he was Muslim, give me a break. I don't want to hear lectures from the likes of you, just because one or two dumbasses on here talked shit about Tina Fey. At least our candidate cares about the party and the country, instead of just his political ambitions. Mitt Romney had the decency to drop out for his party, Mike Huckabee at least keeps quite, so why doesn't Hillary care that much? Why is she the only one lambasting our own party's nominee, when it does nothing but hurt all of us?

[Cid]

Spot on. But let's not confuse HRC supporters with facts, or her voting record..

[PT]

Great satire indeed! But, as usual, many will react sensitively to every comment, gesture, etc. made by SNL panels, particularly when it reflects his/her candidate. Fey should have added "the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world" at some point....

that'll surely fuel a rise.. or cause one to pause during deeeep thinking... lol

[AnninCA]

Omigod........it was right on the mark. An astonishing symptom of Obamamania is obviously an unleashing of every resentment known to mankind about women.

Mostly it's about the hideous prospect of a woman who is not Obamagirl. :)

[Eduardodelazul411]

The gender card use in this race is ridiculous. My support for Obama has a lot more to do with the fact that Hillary is guaranteed to be another DLC sellout.

And again I say that bitch can be considered female for asshole, a type of administration we've had for the past 7 years.

[findingthetruth]

Yes, Fey is brilliant !!! However, is her audience???


IT'S A JOKE. THE ENTIRE SHOW ENTERTAINS IN THAT MATTER PURPOSELY.

Realistically-----this is NOT an endorsement.

[ObamaEdwards]

Fey is brilliant and she's entitled to voice her opinion. Great episode, btw. But when she says "two intelligent, qualified people working together" she freaks me out. Bill Clinton is out of control. He doesn't play well with others, let alone "solve problems" with Hillary. He's an egomaniac who agreed to back his wife if she decided to run for president. But he's done it in such a slapdash manner, he has harmed more than he has helped. Is THAT the kind of cooperation Fey expects? If she really thinks this marriage is Starsky and Hutch smart and collaborative, then she's a much bigger dream believer than any Obama supporter is.

[JonStewart4President]

I was reading this, looking at the casual swipe at Obama for the "furrowed brow" and "scribbling," and then the blatant w00ting for the over-the-top Tina Fey thing. Because it was some GREAT affirmation of how some felt. So I read until the end and yes, lo and behold, it's Rachel Sklar. Who continues on her path of shallow and constant Obama bashing and equally shallow Hillary supporting.

And it's interesting tha she compares Lorne Michaels just saying that it would hard to mock Obama (which clearly he found the means to do), but disregarding the fact that Lorne is behind the scenes and I would never have known he felt that way. Contrasted with someone who was on the screen making her political views felt very clearly.

Which still would be fine, except that she then took political satire and used it to try and drum up actual votes for Hillary.

Oh well. I hope this primary season ends soon so ALL the Dems. can come together and concentrate on kicking some corrupt, lying, lobbyist-friendly, bomb-bomb-bomb Iran, McCain tail in the fall. I look forward to seeing both Tina and Rachel Sklar work with us on this.