Obama, Clinton Make 'Raw' Appearance Before Smackdown in Pa.

WASHINGTON -- They've talked a lot of smack. Now the presidential candidates are taking it to the ring.

Associated Press

Monday, April 21, 2008

WASHINGTON -- They've talked a lot of smack. Now the presidential candidates are taking it to the ring.

Democrats Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton have accepted an invitation to try to settle their long-running nomination fight primary on the World Wrestling Entertainment's popular "Monday Night Raw" program.

Unfortunately for wrestling fans, they won't be trading any blows. Physically, at least.

Neither would agree to appear against each other in person, so they taped messages to air on the eve of the Pennsylvania primary. Republican John McCain added his message as well.

Clinton tells fans to call her "Hill-Rod," recites her agenda and promises to be "a president who will go to the mat for you."

"This election is starting to feel a lot like King of the Ring," she says in a little trash talk. "The only difference? The last man standing may just be a woman."

Obama borrowed the signature line from former WWE champion Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in a warning to the special interests in Washington. "Do you smell what Barack is cooking?" Obama asks with a grin.

McCain cautions both candidates to look out for him in the general election. "Whatcha gonna do when John McCain and all his McCainiacs run wild on ya?" he asks.

It's the first time presidential candidates have appeared on WWE programing, another example of how they are using unconventional programing -- from appearances on "The Tyra Banks Show" to "American Idol" -- to reach voters.

For fans curious about how an Obama-Clinton fight might look, WWE has a dramatization on its Web site.

An animated Obama, in signature suit with no tie, bounces into the ring to the sound of heavy metal. He's followed by Clinton, in a red pants suit, who climbs onto the ropes with her hands in the air. The video fades before any blows are traded.

"Raw" is one of cable television's top-rated shows with more than 5 million weekly viewers. WWE has been encouraging voter registration through its "Smackdown Your Vote!" program.

 

RCP Poll

President Obama Job Approval

RCP Average: +5.1% Details
Approve 49.7%
Disapprove 44.6%

Congressional Job Approval

RCP Average: -37.3% Details
Approve 27.0%
Disapprove 64.3%

Direction of Country

RCP Average: -19.5% Details
Right Direction 37.7%
Wrong Track 57.2%