(CNN) – President Obama is taking some flak from a fellow Democrat over his plans to appear on daytime gabfest The View later this week.
Speaking on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell suggested the ABC talk-show - which often directs its focus on tabloid stories and celebrity mishaps - may not be an appropriate forum for a sitting President of the United States.
"I think the president should be accessible, should answer questions that aren't pre-screened, but I think there should be a little bit of dignity to the presidency," Rendell said. (Video via Matt Lewis at Politics Daily)
Rendell, the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, also likened The View to the Jerry Springer Show – the famed program that has long spotlighted dysfunctional family situations.
"I think there are some shows - I wouldn't put him on Jerry Springer either," said Rendell.
"It is different a little bit. But I think the President of the United States has to go on serious shows."
But Rendell, who will leave the governor's office at the end of the year, conceded The View will provide Obama with a good opportunity to go off the teleprompter – something Rendell says the president should do more often.
"If I was advising President Obama, I'd say do as much ad hoc as you can do," he said. "He doesn't have to scripted, he doesn't have to be telepromptered."
Obama will sit down with The View cohosts for a pre-taped interview Wednesday, the first sitting president to appear on a daytime talk show. The segment is scheduled to air Thursday.
Obama appeared on the program in 2008 when he was a presidential candidate and Vice President Joe Biden was a guest last April.
From CNN Politics
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Everyone will speak the part they are supposed to play. All the words will be scripted before hand. I envision an appeal to help out the democrat incumbents going into the elections this November.
The President shouldn't appear on The View because it's a stupid program with a terrible format. Not because Ed Rendell, of all people, said it was a bad idea. Seriously, who the hell cares what that moron thinks?
Last week he was too serious. Now he's too loose?
I disagree, they will treat him with respect. It's no big deal.
AND IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT BUSH SPENT 3 YEARS OF HIS 8 YEARS ON VACATION!
I BLAME BUSH FOR THE VIEW AND EVERYTHING ELSE!
If I were Obama's advisers, I would be more worried about him drowning as the liberal talk show hosts drool in his presence.
Obama isn't a leader, he's a celebrity. So it's perfectly appropriate for him to appear on The View.
I think its a wonderful idea! He will reach an audience that most likely doesn't pay attention to politics on a daily basis. Rendell, Stay-At-Home Moms vote too!
Another charm offensive! It'll be 'friendly fire', but I don't think it'll work – and this coming from one who voted for him. He's becoming more and more Bush-lite. His handling of Sherrod made me sick; his wars too, not to mention his weak showing on 'Don't ask, Don't tell'. It's to bad it boils down to the Dems or Repubs! We need viable third (and even a fourth) party to give us REAL choice.
I totally agree. The President should not be waisting time by going on gab fest talk shows.
Well just goes to show that older desperate women are his only fans these days, 2012 can not come soon enough.
"...may not be an appropriate for a sitting President of the United States"
What's new?
Only venue open to him where he can expect soft questions, and slobbering adulation from 4 of the 5 co-hosts... and polite disagreement form the 5th lightweight... sad... this is not a President, but a guy "playing" President...
Obama is the mistake.
it beats going on fox and friends.sorry my bad i mean rethuglicans and friends
On the point that there should be a little bit of dignity of the presidency, and that he should go on serious shows to answer for his policies, I agree. These are unusual times what with our economy, oil spills, wiki-leaks, major error of judgment with Sherrod's case, new reform bills, casualties in Afgan, November election.
But I also believe that the ladies are capable of coming up with intelligent questions. It's just that the perception of the regular style of the show was not geared for a presidential discussion.
As far as the end result of his appearance, he will score big with the show's regular audience, because he is charming and convincing, (if he does not do his usual in pointing fingers scolding someone, but even with that they may give him a pass) and the questions maybe light hearted ( Barbara Walter: what would you like to be remembered? ) I know, I know, I am being presumptious.
The net gain of his appearance is for the rest of America to assess.
Would you consider W a more serious president because he never went on The View? Give me a break!
He is after the woman vote . . . and he is not going to the anniversary jamboree of the Boy Scouts of America . . . what a loser Obie is and things are getting worse. He is only doing things for himself and let the good of the country be damned.
What an embarrassment for this country. No sitting President has so reduced the prestige and honor of the Presidency as Barack Hussein Obama. Rather than appear at the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, he chooses face time with Behar and Goldberg. It is to wretch.
wow...who would have thought we would ever see the words "dignity" and "obama" in the same story???
I don't know why this would be a bad idea. Anyone that watches the show knows that the ladies do talk a little about tabloidish topics, but usually it's a very adult discussion about our world. Politics to how Lindsay Lohan is a bad role model for young girls. I'm excited to watch it. I feel that a president being on a show like this will make us feel like he is on our level. Don't mistake me, he is on our level, he's just a human being.
How pathetic
Its great to see the President come out and hang with the folks. The White House must seem like a Prison now. Being President is a tough job, taking the heat for "Everything" especially the mess Obama was left behind.
How ridiculous. While I don't watch the View it has a very large audience and perhaps will President Obama point out the amazing accomplishments his administration has accomplished against incredible opposition.
Those liberal sluts will probably make Elizabeth stay home that day. GO GET THAT POS, LIZ Let him try to smile and lie his way into womens hearts.. BS
I don't know if it was a mistake for Obama to be on the view; all I know that it was a mistake for America to vote this clown in as President.
We never know how the person we elect to be president will turn out. So much of it depends on the circumstances faced once elected.