Who is the asshole on Deadline White House?

[Earthrise]

How DARE he chit-chat about Zelinski's acting and public speaking experience - as if those skills aren't ridiculously common among the MOST scummy politicians around the world.

Zelinski is making an impact due to his MORALITY and COURAGE

[uponit7771]

1. Sounds like a way to minimize Zel's impact, bottom line VERY VERY few modern leaders would

... stay in a war zone like he has

[Earthrise]

3. ...and his children and spouse remain in the country as well. (n/t)

[hlthe2b]

2. Nicolle didn't let it go unaddressed, though and he came off as a stooge.

[Earthrise]

4. Damn. I missed that part - I was apparently yelling too loudly and too long at the screen. (n/t)

[calimary]

5. I saw that. HOWEVER...

First; I definitely understand your discomfort here. It can seem like a trivializing of Zelenskyy’s approach.

But - as someone who covered Hollywood for the AP for years, I’ve gotta say the Ukrainians really couldn’t have a better or shrewder public advocate than this guy.

A former comedian and actor who knows and understands his audience - whether it’s at some local nightclub full of rowdies and drunks or a world-wide forum speaking to leaders of countries. I swear - he’s the new “Great Communicator.” He’s impressively skilled at appealing to the viewer and listener. His speech making is sympathetic and compelling. He’s REACHING people on a common, shared, human level. He’s connecting to everyone as an Everyman Hero. He’s got superb communications skills and he knows how to connect. And every time he’s on camera dressed in a plain t-shirt or out in fatigues greeting the troops or visiting the wounded in their hospital beds, he wins their hearts - on THEIR level. He’s a HUGE part of that Ukrainian unity and fire-in-the-belly to fight the dreaded Russians.

You couldn’t find a better “man-of-the-people good guy” if you auditioned every male lead in Hollywood.
I swear - he makes wearing a scruffy t-shirt to work a symbol of valor and heroism.

He’s Ukraine’s biggest and best and most ferocious “secret weapon.” And when you stand him up against a fancy-suited impeccably-groomed WAR CRIMINAL like Putin, the simple homespun humble Everyman is gonna win, every time.

He’s Fucking BRILLIANT.

[Eliot Rosewater]

7. GREAT post!

[monkeyman1]

17. we had a presidential actor last administration !

" LOOK WHERE THAT GOT US ? "

[Greyhead]

19. He wasn't a actor

He was and is an asshole!

[deRien]

8. I wish that

the first thing mentioned about Zelenskyy is that he graduated from law school...

[calimary]

10. Well, lawyers are performers, too, in a way.

They have to win audiences also. But theirs are on the bench and in the jury box. A skilled orator or inspiring speaker can move mountains.

[deRien]

18. agree but

when someone is identified as a "comedian" there is a tendency to view that person as someone who shouldn't be in politics and/or doesn't have what it takes to be a leader. Look at how we view trump and his "TV" personna, Dr. Oz, and any number of other personalities even Democratic candidates from the entertainment world.

[Earthrise]

11. I totally agree that his ability to connect with people is a SUPER power --

I believe his ability to connect comes from lived experience and the kind of ability Obama had to be comfortable with the Queen of England and remember the names and life stories of the cooking staff at the White House. He is genuinely fascinated with and respectful of all (who aren't trying to destroy his people and his nation).

His knowledge of history must be exceptional to deliver the targeted addresses he gave to the House of Commons, U.S. Congress, and the Bundestag.

I'm watching him in "Servant of the People" on Netflix and I've read interviews from his associates that say he is exactly in real life as he is in the show. In other words, he was just himself on the show - he wasn't acting. The only "man of the people good guy" he can be is himself.

As you said, the asshole on the show was trivializing Zelinsky's character and skills and it pissed me WAY off.

The man's heart is being shredded over a rusty cheese grater - the loss of life in his country - now is not the time to discuss how his experience in the entertainment industry may or may not contribute to his ability to awaken the conscience of the world.

[Evolve Dammit]

14. Agreed. Right person to lead right now.

[Vadem]

16. He has a law degree, I heard today, but has

never practiced law! I guess he decided to do
comedy instead! LOL! He is brilliant!

[wnylib]

21. Successful lawyers, actors, comedians, and politicians all have

in common a skill with language and communicating with audiences.

Consider the writers who have law degrees, like John Grisham.

Comedians are often very insightful in their commentaries because of their intelligence and skill with words and word imagery. A comedian like Trevor Noah does not just do comedy; he opens people's minds to thinking about what is going on in the country and the world.

Barack Obama is not only a lawyer and politician, but also a good orator.

These skills overlap in various professions.

[IA8IT]

6. Simon Shuster Time magazine...He did mention Zelenski's bravery and courage later.

I had same negative feelings when he started the actor stuff

[calimary]

9. Yeah, but remember, American voters didn't mind installing a B-actor in the White House for 8 years.

I’d say Zelenskyy’s background on stage gave him PRIMO skills for relating to and connecting with viewers and listeners. He’s an inspiring, towering hero but as approachable as your next-door neighbor at the same time. His efforts on a nightclub stage have enabled him to step up on a world stage - at the exact moment a talent like his is desperately needed.

They used to call Princess Diana the “People’s Princess” for her beloved common touch. Zelenskyy very compellingly qualifies as the “People’s President”. And he’s gonna hold that whole country together if he has to do it with his teeth. And all Ukrainians know it - as does the whole world. They couldn’t have a more perfect leader for his embattled war-torn country. I can’t say enough good things about him. I’ve never seen a leader quite like him. He’s a real life David out there facing down the Russian Goliath.

He’ll be nominated for a Nobel Peace prize, I’ll bet, and he’ll win by acclamation.

[Earthrise]

12. Yup. As I said above I was probably yelling too loudly at the screen

and couldn't hear anything he said about Zelinski's courage.

[Gore1FL]

13. I submit, it's the full package.

He has a lot of natural and developed skills. While facing this challenge, he draws on all of those skills.

As you state, without morality and courage, none of this is possible!

[Evolve Dammit]

15. He speaks unvarnished truth. How inspiring is that after the last few decades?

[yorkster]

20. Is this the same person who

spoke of the Ukrainian surrogate "industry"? It was a distressing segment but that usage struck me as creepy, cold, etc. I missed the segment referenced here.
unfortunately.