Curbing New Hampshire: Larry David Stumps for Obama

Hanover, New Hampshire -- On the night of the Iowa primary, I got an email from Larry David: "Obama's victory speech was the first time since middle school that I felt that much pride in being an American....(except for getting my syndication checks!)."

He was so excited, he decided to come to New Hampshire, along with Ari Emanuel, his longtime friend and agent.

Monday night, he headed to Dartmouth College in Hanover to talk about the importance of getting out votes for Obama at two large dorm gatherings.

As we headed toward the first gathering, at the McLaughlin cluster of residence halls, students started running up to him, crying out, "I love you, I love you! I'm your biggest fan!!" Pretty soon there was a long, snaking line following him into the building, prompting one student to say that Larry was "like a Jewish Pied Piper."

And, indeed, the place was packed. So many students showed up that not everyone could fit inside, so they crowded around the doorways, trying to listen in.

The questions started coming rapid fire. It immediately became clear: these students were high-level aficionados of Larry's work. Some of them were undecided about Obama, but no one was undecided about Curb Your Enthusiasm and Seinfeld.

What followed was unlike any campaign event I've been at. A circular conversation that pinballed between politics and showbiz -- Why are you for Obama? Are you going to get back with Cheryl (his TV wife)? -- and often combined the two, with both Larry and the students riffing on how the '08 race related to moments from Curb or Seinfeld. Alas, the question of "shrinkage" never came up.

Throughout the event Larry was... well, Larry. Completely himself and utterly hilarious. At one point he noticed a student scratching himself and asked, "What are you doing itching your balls at an Obama event?"

Another student asked him what he thought Obama's chances were. He answered with his signature "Pre-tty, pre-tty good," leading to a raucous outburst.

"I'm undecided between Obama and Hillary," one young woman said. "Aren't you tired of the old?" he replied. "Don't you want to put on some clean clothes? Voting for Hillary would be like doing Frasier again on TV. Don't you want something fresh, new and creative?"

"I mean, haven't we had enough with Bushes and Clintons and Bushes?" he continued. "The country needs a shower, a good, long, hot shower. That's what Obama is, a hot shower. So fresh you can smell him. Delicious."

Another student asked him when he first met Obama. "I met him in Martha's Vineyard," he replied, "in the summer of '04. I liked him from the first moment, even though he's a skinny man...not presidential in a bathing suit. And I decided to support him when I first heard him speak at the Democratic Convention."

When asked which Republican he would vote for, if he had to vote Republican, Larry replied: "Candidates who do not believe in evolution are not my cup of tea."

When a young woman said that she was trying to decide whether to vote for Obama or John McCain, Larry took a beat, and pursed his lips. "Let's see," he said, "one was against the war in Iraq from the beginning, and one wants to keep the troops there for another hundred years. I can see your dilemma."

More Curb: How did you cast Leon? "He just came in, I took one look at him and he got the job. He made me laugh." "'I bring the ruckus to the ladies!'" a student called out, quoting Leon. Followups: Who would Leon vote for? "Obama." What would most hurt Obama's chances? "He needs to avoid saying 'Fuck' in his speech and sexual come-ons to women around him. He also needs to avoid going, 'I dunno if I can do this, I'm scared.' Other than that, it'll be alright."

The gathering ended with a question about whether Larry and Cheryl would get back together. Larry asked the group whether they wanted them to -- and was a little surprised when the overwhelming majority said they would. Only a few wanted him to stay with Loretta Black (Viveca A. Fox). And one guy wanted him to swing.

Then it was off to Zimmerman Hall and another lively Q & A.

"I'm not sure if I'll vote for Obama," a student said. "I'm concerned about his lack of experience." "Would it help," said Larry, "if I told you that Lincoln only had two years of experience in Congress before he became president and the times could not have been more turbulent. And did anybody have more experience than Bob Dole, who had been in the Senate for over 25 years when he ran? And how awful would that have been if he had won? Plus, just imagine how the rest of the world will see us the day they wake up to Obama as president."

"What about Giuliani?" asked another student. "He did a good job for you in the low-fat yogurt Seinfeld episode." "Yes, he did," Larry responded, "but he's a lunatic."

"What did she whisper in your ear?" someone asked about the Curb episode featuring Alanis Morissette. "Nothing intelligible," Larry replied. "Originally, it was supposed to be Carly Simon, who was going to reveal to me who "You're So Vain" was about, but she canceled and I had to find an alternative."

Favorite Curb episode? "The Ski Lift".

Favorite Seinfeld Episodes? "The Contest," "The Marine Biologist," and "The Opposite": "We would have been much better off if President Bush had done the opposite of everything he wanted to do -- on the war, on torture, on shredding up the Constitution."

Which Seinfeld character would he like to see as president? "Newman. Because every time he would give a press conference and walk up to the podium, everyone would say 'Hello, Newman.'"

What would be in an Obama sandwich? "Tomato, lettuce, and sardines." (Regrettably there was no debate on how The Obama would stack up against The Larry David combo of whitefish, sable, capers, onions and cream cheese.)

"Isn't your hair too short?" he suddenly asked one young man. "Do girls like it that short?" "I like it longer and curly," a girl piped in.

"I'm undecided between Obama and Edwards," said another student. "What can you say to convince me?" " If you don't vote for Obama I'm never doing the show again," Larry replied.

I took the kid's name down; it was Zach. So we have someone to blame if Larry never does Curb again. "I wouldn't have been a comedian if my name was Zach," Larry added, and then ended with a sincere pitch for Obama: "Please, please vote for him."

Follow Arianna Huffington on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ariannahuff

Comments

[provgrays]

I'm finally off the fence and I'm voting Obama. Hillary is calculating, but all politicians are. If Hillary gets in, the GOP hates her too much to ever work with her across the aisle.

Bush could not have possibly done any worse than he has, so why are so many people gripping about Obama's lack of experience? Every president starts that job with exactly zero experience.

Obama is that rare candidate who can inspire. He's special and he deserves a chance to lead. I say this in the full knowedge that special interests with deep pockets run this country. You gotta start somewhere though.

[poeticjustice4all]

The same undecided, uncommitted, switch, sway and swing-in-the-wind voters that put Bush in office have now gone ga-ga over Obama.

Goo-goo ga-ga. He makes me feel good! I wanna have a beer with him! Even more than flipping -- the fence-sitters love flopping on a shiny, new bandwagon.

Amazingly, these are folks who can't decide if they support the policies of John McCain or those of Barack Obama! They'd just as soon vote for Ron Paul as Rev. Huckabee depending on the weather.

Well, unlike the faith-based stalwarts on the right, truly independent liberals will not hold their nose, march in lock-step and put a novice in the White House just because he's the party nominee.

Obama's brave new coalition of kids, fence-sitters and sycophants falls apart without the Dem base.

I'm as Black, gay and liberal as they come -- but rather than drink the Kool-aid, I'll write in my own candidate.

[Norge]

Obama is not representive of black America in any form of his speech or mannerisms. Though
He could well be the new revolution so needed for the restoration of America's respect and dignity throughout the world and a reformer from the old statusquo so intrenched for generations in the America political system.

He is rich, which most African Americans are not. What bitterness within that community or hatred for what he has and is existing on the streets and in the poverty areas, may come to haunt Obama.

The question is, if elected to the civilian post of president, will he also become a 5 star general serving over the joint chief's of staff as all other presidents have secumed to. The lure of power, authority and prestige where all are serving under him. Will it also damage beyond healing the cool guy we listen to and view now on our tv screens?

Would he walk away from the nonsense or turn off the nonsense fed to presidents by the warriors they surround themselves with.

The sounds of John F. Kennedy are on the wind. The illusion which grieved a generation.

I truely hope Obama fairs better, for the American people deserve better, after their years of emotional suffering and lose of respect and esteem in the world, for it was not the American's people's lack of good faith, it has been America's leadership who has done them so wrong.

Three decades of "Blowback" has cost America dearly and Obama could change all of that.

That would truely be wonderful and the end to, the "Distruction Doctrine".

[PoliticalAnimal]

Fascinating column as usual, Arianna. One complaint - when you click on Ian Gurwitz' column today, you are automatically referred to the 236.com website. But it is then impossible to return to the HuffPo site without opening up a new browser. It also makes it impossible to post a comment on his blog on the HuffPo site as you are immediately redirected to the 236 website.

As a web developer, I find it sneaky to refer people to an outside URL without permission, and without a means of allowing visitors to backspace out of the new site, instead of trapping them there.

[infinityone]

Arianna: It is nice to hear about your celebrity but why is this site not headlining the Sibel edmonds case? The London Times had a blockbuster article last weekend and nothing in the US media. One of you bloggers wrote an article but this should be front page news on HP!

To get the scoop go to http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5518

[elkabong]

If Abraham Lincoln were running for president, today, many of these commenters would say he was unqualified for lack of experience.

Dick Cheney had lots of experience. Look what his presidency has wrought.

And I'm for John Edwards.

[kirkland]

Larry David may be the only exception to my longstanding rule that celebrity endorsements
are obnoxious , toxic and narcissistic. He, luscious-minded savant that he is.

[scrawf]

Memo to Larry:

Hey, Lar, yeah, I wqnt something new, fresh and creative when I'm watching TV. In a president, I prefer knowledgeable and hardworking.

I don't quite buy all of the hype that surrounds this guy-what's amazing is that his 'followers' all say the same thing. Oh, he's so new, he's got great judgment, he gives great speeches. But there is never any substance to their praise. And that, Lar, is telling-very telling.

[StephenJK]

Larry David: Revolutionary. Turned the TV comedic world on it's head. In the best way. We owe a debt of gratitude to this man for making our cheek muscles work so hard. That show alone sparked a romance that has lasted over 3 years now. I believe Larry David is one of the most insightful people in the World today. To make a show like Curb I almost believe that you have to make a deal with the Devil.

My opinion of Obama is like this: Not this go around, Friend. He should have the Secretary of State office for sure though. THAT will give him the experience everyone so desires and it will REALLY give him the tools to be a great president in 2012.

[Brainoverbraun]

As a Canadian I find the US election process long, complex and confusing. The process is bad enough but you guys make it worse by focusing on only the personality bits that end up in the news. What about policy platforms - in all of the posts about the various candidates there is very little discussion of the policies they support and the track record they have trying to execute those policies. At the end of the day is there anything more important than what these candidates will do while in office???

After the debacle that has been the Bush Presidency you would think you guys would learn your lesson. Instead the cult of personality is alive and well..

You go Americans....once again you will get the President you deserve!!!

[CultureWarriorNPetriDish]

After GWB, I think the face of AMERICA should be BARACK OBAMA, after all, does it really matter who is in office? In my eyes, they're all one in the same. No one has IMPEACHED the SOB's who should have been, no one has really stood up to the corporate crowns, no one has really planned to make an effort to right the wrongs of this current criminal administration. Perhaps OBAMA is the only way we can save face within the eyes of the world...No, AMERICA isn't some fanatical CHRISTIAN nation that has turned against everything the constitution was designed to be, GWB and his followers can't perpetuate this backassward movement because we can follow someone else, someone who is different, outside the mold....blah blah blah

[Dingoangst]

To Hillary: Serenity now! Serenity now!

[Clem2]

You know... I liked Obama long ago and was not too hot about Hillary. Increasingly, I've liked Edwards, too.

HOWEVER-- I sure am feeling like this is a lot of media hype. Obama wants change, okay, specifically how? How about some details? Will he get rid of Medicare Part D, that abomination? "Change" is the vaguest, easiest thing to promise. Of course things will change.

I do think he is very intelligent and articulate and I like that. As I say, he's probably the one I'd be voting for.

That ALL being said, I don't think Hillary needs to be pilloried the way she is.

When I saw all 3 at the last Dem. debate (as well as Richardson, who has lots of experience AND a great sense of humor...maybe Obama's vp??) I thought that for once the Dems had good choices for candidates.

Let's hope whomever we elect actually does what they say they will do.

[Nofoolhere]

WHY THE DIM OUT OF EDWARDS' PRESENCE IN THIS CAMPAIGN?

The systematic suppression by the corporate owned and operated MSM’s coverage of John Edwards Iowa campaign is continuing in New Hampshire. Apart from the Edwards' campaign being outspent by a ratio of about five to one by Clinton and Obama, in Iowa and New Hampshire, now can we understand another major reason for Edwards failure to win Iowa, and why he is likely to fail to win in New Hampshire?

The reason is the near complete blackout of the substance of John Edwards' Iowa caucus campaign by the mainstream print and broadcast media? There was no complete representation of his speeches, no serious discussions of his platform, no follow–up to his compelling contributions to the debates, nor are there any reports and accounts of his campaign other than fluff and trivial irrelevancies. It continues.

Do you understand how this works to solidify corporate power? No corporate owned mainstream pundit or analyst has touched it. Nor has HuffPost. Why is the John Edwards blackout, or certainly a dim out, a gross evil in the US election process.

NO VISIBILITY, NO PRESENCE, NO VOTES, NO WIN, NO FOLLOW-UP = DEAD IN THE BALLOT BOX

This is a Rovian tactic to guarantee the removal of threats to the right wing. The sequence is, first blackout or dimout the threat candidate, then trash and slime the threat candidate, then defraud the election at its numerous weak points, then arrange an assassination under conditions of plausible deniability, e.g., auto accidents, food poisoning, airplane accidents, and finally when all else fails, direct hits on the threat candidate by a deranged "terrorist" All of these are corporate sponsored evils.

IT’S THE CORPORATIONS STUPID.

Finally, it appears more and more that Huffington Post may be complicit in this evil. I hope not, but there is virtually no mention of John Edwards other than formula accounts, and useless discussions of triviality. His substantial gifts to America if he is elected is never presented. SLEEPERS AWAKE!!!

[Madcervin]

Huff,

I am a big fan of your colummns but your opinions on Clinton are repetitive and arrogant (dogmatic they call it in my neck of the woods).

I found the column written by Gloria Steinem (NYT January 8, http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/08/opinion/08steinem.html?_r=1&oref=slogin) to be illuminating and well thought out. I have been hopeful that Huff Post would offer enlightening points on the election process and the candidates. Since the Huff Post repurposes & displays content from other sources, you would hope that greater scrunity and effort would be made as had done before on otheer topics.

I am a Democrat from Texas (which is a very hard thing to be) and just blown away by how easily the media and other democrats are jumping on the bandwagon by the early results. It seems that the Huffpost is leading the charge.