Obama Gets Edgy on Late Night Show

Nov. 5, 2007— -- He's not the first Presidential hopeful to say, "Live from New York it's Saturday Night!" And he probably won't be the last. But Barack Obama's brief appearance this weekend in the opening skit of "Saturday Night Live" marks a coup for his campaign.

In the skit, he shows up at the Clinton's Halloween party in Chappaqua, N.Y., dressed in an Obama mask.

"You know, Hillary, I have nothing to hide," he says. "I enjoy being myself and I'm not going to change who I am just because it's Halloween."

Hillary Clinton, as played by Amy Poehler, smiles through gritted teeth. "Well that's just great," she growls.

The zinger drove home the very point Obama was making, in a much more earnest way, hours earlier on the campaign trail: that Clinton lacks authenticity. For a candidate who has often struggled to find a way to draw clear distinctions with the frontrunner, Obama couldn't have asked for a better vehicle.

Obama has shown plenty of times that he can be funny and self-deprecating. This time he showed he was edgy.

Politicians love late night TV, so long as they're not just the punch line for the monologue.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani was almost a cast member on "SNL"-- although he usually appeared in drag.

Fred Thompson announced his candidacy on "The Tonight Show" with Jay Leno, even though making that appearance meant skipping a Republican candidate debate.

Bill Clinton pioneered the political cameo, the night he famously played the sax on "Arsenio Hall."

But Obama has raised it to an art form. He danced with Ellen DeGeneres. He chatted with Tyra Banks about who should play him in the movie (a toss-up between Denzel Washington or Will Smith, they decided). And, of course, his couch time on "Oprah" has meant millions for his campaign.

Why is it that some accuse him of being too frivolous?

Bill O'Reilly recently told Diane Sawyer: "What are his poll numbers – 18%? 'Look, Obama, (and I told him this face-to-face) Tyra Banks ain't going to get you elected, okay? You got to go on "The Factor." You got to go on GMA and answer the questions.'"