In Obama Interview ABC's Gibson Imitates Saturday Night Live?

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In the February 23 Saturday Night Live parody of journalists in the tank for Barack Obama a reporter at a debate oozed: “Senator Obama, are you comfortable? Is there anything we can get for you?” Ending a taped interview Thursday with the real Obama, a real journalist, ABC anchor Charles Gibson, seemed to match the concern for Obama's personal comfort expressed in the SNL caricature:

Senator, you're kind to take the time, on a day when you legitimately should be able to simply just take long naps. I thank you. All the best to you.

In the segment aired on ABC's World News, Gibson empathized with Obama's plight as a victim of Hillary Clinton's attacks and seemed to regret how Obama may have to go negative as he prodded him: “To fight back, do you have to do the same? In other words, do you have to, in effect, show some toughness in all of this, greater than you have so far?”

Gibson recited Clinton's criticism of Obama, but only the in gentlest way. Quoting her contention that he is too inexperienced to be President, Gibson queried: “I wonder your reaction?”

Will Gibson be as mellow in any future interviews with other presidential candidates?

Gibson set up the March 6 World News piece: “This afternoon, I had a chance to speak with Senator Obama and I asked him about the Clinton argument that he lacks the credentials to be Commander in Chief.”

Gibson's questions to Obama:

You've had a few hours, day and a half, now, to analyze the results on Tuesday. What happened on Tuesday? A lot of people thought there was a chance you could close the deal on Tuesday. Was it her contention that you are too young, too inexperienced to be Commander in
Chief?

You made the point on your campaign plane yesterday, you said she went negative in the last few days of that. To fight back, do you have to do the same? In other words, do you have to, in effect, show some toughness in all of this, greater than you have so far?

She said Senator McCain will bring a lifetime of experience to the campaign. “I will bring a lifetime of experience to the campaign. Senator Obama will bring a speech that he made in 2002.” Now, she said that before. But it's pretty in-your-face. I wonder your reaction?

Senator, you're kind to take the time, on a day when you legitimately should be able to simply just take long naps. I thank you. All the best to you.

The ABCNews.com online version.