Seinfeld co-creator and star of HBO's Curb Your Enthusiasm Larry David stumped for Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., in Occom Commons and Zimmerman residential hall on Monday, the eve of the New Hampshire primary. David said that although he did not see major policy difference between the three leading democratic candidates, he believed Obama was the best equipped to lead and bring about change.
"Haven't we had enough with Bushes and Clintons and Bushes," he said. "The country needs a shower, a good, long, hot shower. That's what Obama is, a hot shower. So fresh you can smell him, delicious."
David led the discussion as a question and answer session, addressing student questions ranging from what candidate Curb Your Enthusiasm character Leon supported to what mistakes Obama should avoid in his campaign.
"He needs to avoid saying [expletive] in his speech and sexual come-ons to woman around him," David said. "He also needs to avoid going 'I dunno if I can do this, I'm scared.' Other than that, it'll be alright."
David avoided serious responses to students' questions on policy issues, but Arianna Huffington, co-creator and editor-in-chief of the Democratic blog The Huffington Post, and David's talent agent, Ari Emanuel -- best known for being parodied as Ari Gold on HBO's Entourage -- clarified Obama's key positions.
"Aren't you tired of fantastic plans and no real action," Emanuel said. "'Who is the second largest recipient of lobbying money from pharmaceutical companies? Hillary Clinton."
David repeatedly asked the audience at his Zimmerman appearance, "Who is still undecided about voting for Barack? Who are you thinking about?"
When a student responded that he was undecided between Obama and former Sen. John Edwards D-N.C., David posed a seemingly unpopular consequence.
"Okay, alright, how about this," he said. "If you don't vote for Obama, I'm never doing the show again."
While the purpose of David's Dartmouth visit was to offer support for Obama, he willingly answered questions about his sitcoms. David told audience members his favorite Curb Your Enthusiasm episode is "The Ski Lift" and some of his favorite Seinfeld episodes include "The Opposite," "The Contest" and "The Marine Biologist."
During both appearances, David polled students about whether or not they wanted his character on Curb Your Enthusiasm to get back with his wife. The majority of students in both sessions said "yes."
David's Occom Commons appearance was scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. but started several minutes early.
The session in Zimmerman was scheduled for 10:15 p.m., but David began speaking at around 9:40 p.m. to about a dozen students.
David was asked in both sessions which Seinfeld character he believed would be best suited to be president.
"Newman," he said. "Because every time he would give a press conference and walk up to the podium, everyone would say, 'Hello Newman.'"
