Obama Impersonated on Saturday Night Live

Live from New York, it's Saturday Night!

After a couple of months of hiatus, the live skit show is back on the air. There has been lots of conversation about who would be Saturday Night Live's Obama impersonator. Well, the wait is over and the first skit on tonight's show was focused on a Democratic debate between Obama and Clinton. This was the first time Obama has been impersonated on the show, the only other time was when Obama himself opened the show. The skit exaggerated the love that America has for Obama by making almost all of the questions relative to Obama and few, if any, about Clinton. All the panelist were overly obsessed with Obama, one even labeled as an "Obama stalker". They also used the phrases "Obamaniac" and "Barack Attack" which was quite funny. Amber Lee Ettinger, Obama Girl, even showed up to Obama question.

But the true question is, who was impersonating Obama? It seems that it is not going to be a new face, but will be Fred Armison who is a regular cast member on SNL. It seems ironic that he has also played Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Many also say that SNL needs more black cast members and this would have been a great chance to add a new one. I assume that Armison beat out all the competitors. In his first appearance he seemed a bit stiff and didn't say much, but did sound very similar to Obama and definitely gesticulated a bit but not as much as Obama.

"They auditioned Mad TV's Jordan Peele, 30 Rock writer Donald Glover, and comedian Jordan Carlos, best known as "Stephen Colbert's Black Friend.""

Steve Martin showed up, as did Mike Huckabee and Tina Fey hosted the show.

Barack Obama in Austin, Texas

Barack Obama appeared at a post-democratic debate rally in Austin, Texas tonight to deliver his message. Against the backdrop of the Texas capital building, Obama talked through his experiences and motivations that led him to enter the presidential race, quoting Martin Luther King, Jr. “the time is always right to do what is right.”

Mr. Obama methodically and carefully discussed key elements of his platform dismissing critics claiming his campaign is one of talk and not substance. He directed his audience to his website to view the substance of his ideas; to view his ‘ten-point plans, eight-point plans, five-point plans. I’ve got plans.’ He stressed his confidence in planning as well as the need to inspire hope (a constant theme) in Americans, emphasizing the equal importance of hope and planning. The desire to be better, the desire to change must accompany planning or even the best plans will fail.

Mr. Obama addressed additional criticisms of his abilities. His lack of experience? He pointed to years of community activism, legal training, instruction (including the Constitution) and practice, and service in the U.S. Senate. His lack of toughness? ‘Hey, I’m a black guy named Barack Obama running for president of the United States... you don’t think you have to be tough to be in that position?’

Mr. Obama was well received by the Austin crowd. Austin, often referred to as a blue island in a sea of red, typically votes Democratic in contrast to the rest of Texas. All comments by both Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Obama over the last two days pointing out the failed policies of the Bush Administration have been met with passionate applause and cheers. Tonight Mr. Obama pointed out several but stressed that disliking things is easy and not the best place to spend your energy. Have hope and make change.

Texas has both primaries and caucuses (tonight dubbed the “two-step”). The primary is held March 4, and early voting has already begun.

Media Coverage

This photo scares me. The Apocalypse may be close.

Hook em O!

Can Obama win Texas? Let's hope so, but if it is up to the Texas Longhorns, he is choice number one (for the Heisman too!) "Hours before he returns to the UT campus for tonight’s debate with Sen. Hillary Clinton, Sen. Barack Obama paid a courtesy call to Mack Brown and his Longhorns."

Full article

Cleveland Mayor Endorses Obama

Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson today endorsed Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination. Jackson used a campaign appearance by Obama's wife, Michelle, at Cleveland State University as the forum to announce his choice. Jackson said Obama understands the devastation of foreclosures caused by predatory lending as well as that urban centers can be the economic engines of job creation. "He will help Cleveland," Jackson said. Jackson's brief comments were followed by a fiery speech delivered by Michelle Obama to a cheering crowd of 500 at CSU's University Center.
The Ohio primary is Tuesday, March 4.

Source

Barackula The Musical | Barack Obama Democrat vs. Vampires

It is September 1990, at Harvard Law School. In 1991, Obama graduated from Harvard Law School where he was the first African American president of the Harvard Law Review. But before he graduated, something strange happened. Obama was invited by the Harvard Law Review for their first meeting which turns out to be similar to Skull & Bones. Turns out it is more than Skull & Bones, but the members are vampires and want Obama to be their "Barackula". Yes, that's right, Barackula.

The short film (video below) basically parallels, in musical form, Barack's run for the White House. New directions, hope, Republicans, and .....to be continued. Somewhere between Grease, Reefer Madness, and Rocky Horror picture show, except without the qualtiy, Barackula is a good attempt at something fun. The lead actor definitely looks a lot like Barack and it seems Saturday Night Live is looking for an Obama impersonator for their show and the lucky one will be announced today. Maybe future episodes of Barackula will be a skit on SNL.

"Chicago, LA, and Africa, he can never be Barackula"



Barackula Website

Barackula on Myspace

Synopsis

Barackula is a short political horror rock musical about young Barack Obama having to stave off a secret society of vampires at Harvard when he was inducted into presidency at the Harvard Law Review in 1990. Obama (Justin Sherman) finds that he must convince the vampire society that opposing political philosophies can coexist or else the society may transform Obama to the dark side. Reminiscent to Michael Jackson's Thriller and a slight infusion of Jesus Christ Superstar, the film solely depicts Obama’s strengths, merits and genuineness while being quietly respectful towards the other presidential candidates. This short musical is highly entertaining with dancing Harvard student vampires, fantastic choreography by Victor Tang and Sherman’s physical likeness to Obama is remarkable. Shot on the new RED ONE camera, the quality of the film itself is stunning. Produced by Justin Sherman, Gavin Leighton, Brooke Shirey and Mike Lawson, Barackula – The Musical is exceedingly unique amidst today’s vast online media created by the voting public. The intent of the film makers is to create something fun and memorable during this year’s election. Release date is expected by February 2008.

Match Point

Last night, the people of Wisconsin and Hawaii voted overwhelmingly in favor of a new kind of politics.

They rejected an onslaught of negative attacks and attempts to distract them from the common concerns we all have about the direction of our country.

No doubt we'll hear much more of these attacks and distractions in the days to come.

But the noise of these tired, old political games will not drown out the voices of millions calling for change.

Now is the time to join us -- add your voice to our movement by making your first donation right now. By giving through our matching program, your donation will be doubled by a previous donor who has promised to match your gift.

We are very close to reaching our goal of 500,000 people giving to this campaign in 2008. Help push us over the top by making a matched donation right now:

https://donate.barackobama.com/match

We have had ten straight victories -- a streak no one thought possible, and the best position we can be in when Ohio, Texas, Rhode Island, and Vermont vote on March 4th.

Thank you for making this possible,

Barack

Can Obama Win Hawaii and Wisconsin

Let's hope so. Today's the day for another election and hopefully two more states for Obama. He was born in Hawaii and is in the lead in the Cheesehead state. 94 some delegates at stake. GOBAMA!

"Obama, born in Hawaii and living in Wisconsin's southern neighbor, hoped to build on his string of eight straight wins. Clinton's campaign played down her chances in Wisconsin, but was hoping to beat expectations to give her struggling candidacy new life."

Michelle Obama is Your New Bicycle

Since our last post about bicycles and the fact that clearly, Barack Obama is Your New Bicycle, it looks like Michelle Obama is your New Bicycle has popped up. Then again, there was this article in the NY Times this past weekend that I read today, print version for once, about Obama saving a marriage. And what about the spoofs.

Too funny.

Obama, Plagiarism?

Ben Smith has a great discussion over at Politico about the new accusations by the Clinton campaign that Obama has copied rhetoric directly from Massachusetts governor Deval Patrick used in a speech in 2006. It is good that this connection has been made, kinda like when Interpol and Ola Podrida had similar album art, but it is just more fighting that the Democratic party doesn't need. I do like the governor's repsponse though:

“Sen. Obama and I are longtime friends and allies. We often share ideas about politics, policy and language. The argument in question, on the value of words in the public square, is one about which he and I have spoken frequently before. Given the recent attacks from Sen. Clinton, I applaud him [for] responding in just the way he did.”

So what's the big deal then?

Also, Clinton copied also. Only, she copied from Obama. Hmm, that's not very ethical now is it Mrs. Clinton?

Edwards and Obama Have A Playdate

CNN.com is reporting that Obama visited the home of John and Elizabeth Edwards over the weekend in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Do I smell an endorsement? Not necessarily. Hil C. recently showed up in good ol' tobacco country to visit with Edwards as well.

"Obama spokesman Bill Burton confirmed the meeting with Edwards on Sunday. 'Sen. Obama visited this morning with John and Elizabeth Edwards at their home in Chapel Hill to discuss the state of the campaign and the pressing issues facing American families,' said Burton."

Suuuure they were discussing the "pressing issues". I bet they spent the whole day playing Wii and eating mozzarella sticks.