McCain, Obama At Al Smith Dinner: Candidates Spar With Jokes

John McCain and Barack Obama touched on some of the most contentious issues in the campaign tonight, from Bill Ayers to racial undertones, in their scripted jokes at the Al Smith dinner in New York City.

McCain, in a much more light-hearted and relaxed mood than he was during last night's debate, poked fun at the adoration surrounding Obama when he quipped: "Maverick I can do but messiah is above my pay grade."

He also made light of the controversy surrounding his "that one" comment at the second debate when he said that it was simply his pet name for Obama.

"He doesn't mind at all. In fact, he has given me the pet name, 'George Bush.'

Watch McCain:

McCain also noted the lingering unease among Hillary Clinton and her supporters at losing the bitterly-fought primary against Obama:

"I can't shake the feeling that some people here are voting for me. Nice to see you, Hillary."

Story continues below

advertisement

And he joked that Bill Clinton "has been hammering away with me with epithets like, 'war hero.'"

He also snapped that MSNBC's acerbic host, Keith Obermann deserves a "padded room," adding that if Obama wins the election, "I understand that Keith Olbermann has ordered up his very own Mission Accomplished banner... he knows right where to put it."

Obama made light of McCain's consistent attempts to tie him to former Weather Underground leader Bill Ayers and to spread unease about Obama's real character.

"There is no Senator I would rather be palling around with," quipped Obama after he took the stage, referring to the McCain campaign's talking points about Obama "palling around" with Ayers.

Watch Obama:

He also joked about McCain's age, saying that the candidate and long-deceased New York governor Al Smith "had a great time in the days before Prohibition."

And he noted the lingering distrust between the Obama team and Hillary Clinton and her supporters, saying that she was the "primary reason I have all this gray in my hair."

Obama also made light about the messiah complex some of his supporters have built around his candidacy.

"I was not born in a manger. I was actually born on Krypton. I was sent here by my father Jor-El to save the planet Earth... Many of you know that I got my name from my father. "Barack" is Swahili for "That one." I got my middle name from somebody who obviously didn't realize I would run for president."

"My greatest strength would be my humility. My greatest weakness is that it's possible I am too awesome."

And he joked about McCain's earlier attempt in the campaign to attack Obama's celebrity status. Obama said that he "punched a paparazzi on my way out of Spago's. I even spilled my soy chai latte.

More of Obama's wit:

- Mayor Michael Bloomberg's term limits maneuverings caused Bill Clinton to say: "You can do that?"

- The housing crisis "has been eight times harder on John McCain."

- "There was a point in my life when I started palling around with a pretty ugly crowd.... that's right... I've been a member of the United States Senate."

- "Fox News accused me of fathering two African-American children in wedlock."

(UPDATE: A reader pointed out that McCain borrowed a line from George Bush - "I can't wish him luck, but I do wish him well" - which Bush used to refer to Al Gore at the 2000 Al Smith dinner when he introduced his Democratic rival.)

Comments

[kimmie69]

We are doomed ......... Biden can't even count to 3.

[Liberalforsure]

Palin can't count period but she can see Russia from her porch.

[BlueStateMan]

Back to your sandbox, peewee.

[HypnoToad]

The horror, the humanity.

I think maybe as he was saying it he thought that calling it a four letter word would not be appropriate. And being sleep deprived as they all are, he could not say it comes down to a single word.

[Samalabear]

In any event, Biden has a great sense of humor regarding his many gaffes. Palin misspeaks, misquotes and there are no apologies, and if she has a sense or humor about anything I have yet to see it.

[robodweeb]

I bet he can count the number of houses he has.

[breakingnews]

Can Sarah Palin spell three?

[minty68]

This is the most human I've seen McCain in over two years. Can't help but think that if he adopted this attitude all along that he would have had more of a fighting chance.

Nonetheless, I am an Obama supporter, and am relieved to see that he has a sense of humor, too!

[gladys46]

Of course O has a sense of humor ... how do you suppose he was able to maintain his grace while having to process Mc's intentional l i es during debates !? You gotta have one he ^l of a sense of humor to absorbed that kind of crapola!!

Obama is what I consider beautiful people ... in most every respect!!!

[truthforme]

Here, here. And while this is the first time for us (watching Obama be on the receiving end of hate jokes) this is something he has had to put up with HIS WHOLE LIFE.

And yet, still, he is the most graceful candidate.

Speaks highly to his character.

[Questinia]

...and in that tuxedeo...­Fierce!

[ricland]

I was thinking the same think.

For the first time he actually seemed presidential

ricland

[IndependentinVA]

The both did a great job. Good too see them have fun after weeks of nastiness.

[gladys46]

Especially McCain ... fears of him exploding can be pretty scary !!! Guess they dispensed 1/2 meds !!!

[makegandhismile]

One thing i thought was pretty karmic in a hilarious way was how McBush called out Hillary and Bill on their fake support of Barack -- and him! I thought he clowned them both especially Bill excellently. Their lukewarm support has been really obvious of course - but to be called out on it by McCain makes it all the more transparent that even he didnt buy their fake homages to him. How excellently embarrassing for them. LOL. I guess Barack might give her a cabinet seat or something because he's nice - but i wouldnt.

[MNmommy]

You don't get it do you?

That's a tactic, just like everything else that the McCain campaign and all thugs use to create divisiveness.

[RobertaInCT]

He's still trying to divide the dems. He's really pi-ssed that he could not pull in Hill's base.

[makegandhismile]

Hmm. I thought i got it very well... the Clintons have shown that no matter the topic or the possible cost to the rest of us it's pretty all about them. Who needs the Repubs when they have their own stake in sowing divisiveness. Do you get it?

[cyndeewi]

My father always said that truer words are spoken in a joke!

[IntelligenceQuantifier]

Your father is dead on. This forum gave them the opportunity to address everything that was on their minds veiled in humor. Humor is very powerful, yet so very underestimated.

[Kalima]

That is interesting because I have thought the silence of the C-l-i-n-t-o-n-s in this very
important stage of Obama's push for the WH was odd to say the the least. Not what
they say but what they don't say. Again, odd.

[fredamae]

I think the Clintons Have been working hard for BO...you just dont see the media covering it....both of them, I believe, have just finished a busy week in FL on his behalf.

[Mekarri]

I think Hillary have been working hard for Obama lately but Bill, not so much.

[SheenaVa]

Actually, Hillary has been campaigning quite hard for him. She's to be commended.

[Rog49Thomas]

Jokes to his face.

Robocalls behind his back.

It's a whole new definition of honourable.

[Glowcy]

.
Rog49Thomas: as Palin would do - wink, wink ;-D

.

[NamelessGenXer]

Hey! You left out Obama's funniest line, something about: "I like staying at the Waldorf-As­toria... from the entrance, you can see the Russian Tea Room." LO-freakin-L!

[bentenrai]

The funniest thing about Obama was not so much the jokes he told, but how solemn he was about telling them.

[robodweeb]

Nobody enjoys McCain's jokes more than McCain.

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

He laughs at his own jokes like that lunatic Tom Cruise.

[TuffCookie]

LOL actually, i found mcbush to be quite hilarious last nite.

but i'm still protesting his arse this saturday!

[Liberalforsure]

That's funny!

[gladys46]

Obama has great dry humor ... and, I guess he just looks delicious even in tatters !!!

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

In bentenrai's defense, you have to be mildly intelligent to get dry humor.

Obama's humor wouldn't appeal to bentenrai.

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

Wow! One other person who gets his customary humor! And yes, he would look delectable even in a burlap sack.

[johnnycmlately]

This is not a Barack Obama venue. This is an event for the Good ol' boys and Barack is not a G.O.B and comedy is his strong suit, but good try though. He some funny lines he just needs to work on delivery.

[BlueStateMan]

This was a charity event.

[breakingnews]

Personally I would rather see him get to work on the economy, instead of sharpening his comedic timing. But I could be wrong.....­...

[peacekitten]

well, the economy is a joke......

[Liberalforsure]

What would you like to see mccain do? He was there also? God you people are nuts.

[munki]

I saw the whole thing on Rachel Maddow show... were cute... and funny...

[StarkRavingNakedEmperor]

The schtick...­or Rachel?? 8-P

[BPCentrisAmerican]

They were both pretty funny, I especially liked the way Obama evolved the "lipstick on a pig" material to it's natural conclusion, Rudy's cross dressing, funny stuff. They were both gracious in there closing remarks and if McCain had conducted his campaign with more civility instead of using phony outrage, and the worn out Rove play book, maybe he would be attracting the moderate Republicans and independents that he did in 2,000. Normal Americans are simply tired of the religious extremest, secretive big government dominated byTrotskyist neocons, corporated national socialist, sadist war lovers and the far right wing who make definitive statements using worn out talking points.

[MNmommy]

Look how *close* this election still is on the National level - it would be even tighter, I think, if Mike Murphy were running McCain's campaign. Thank goodness McCain went Rove, it will be his undoing.

This country is so incredibly divided, hopefully an Obama win, and working together to rebuild what is so broken, will bring us back together.

[MiMolly]

Obviously I haven't seen all of both routines, but from what i have seen, Obama is poking fun at McCain
and himself, and McCain is poking fun at Obama. It may be that I am so tired of McCain's nastiness.

Gallup poll shows only an Obama 2 point lead, and though I am not a big believer in the polls, that was not a fun thing to hear this early in the morning. I am afraid the press will closely cover the poll tightening, and McCain make come back. Sorry-just wanted to share my gloom!!

[breakingnews]

That Gallup Polls EXCLUDES voters under 30 and minority voters, as they have not always been a reliable voting bloc. However, when they are included, it's Obama +6.

Now, do you SERIOUSLY believe that voters under 30 and minorities are NOT going to vote this year??

[Glowcy]

.
it's OK, breakingnews: the only poll that matters will be conducted on Nov 4

.

[missindependent]

Gallup tracking poll Oct 17,2008

Obama=49

Mccain=43

[jobecky20]

Oh Gawd. I am disheartened to see evidence that so many Democrats believe the race is over. NO IT IS NOT! In November 2004 I stayed up with hopeful anticipation to watch the election results because a lot of folks suspected Kerry would win the electoral college. Guess what? Didn't happen. I am a NH resident who remembered the Obama-Clinton race in NH earlier this year. Polls in NH had Obama comfortably ahead...gu­ess what? Clinton won. So people, if you would like to see Obama as POTUS, please, I am BEGGING you, get yourself down to the voting booth. I cannot take another election like the Gore-Bush and Kerry-Bush election. It would kill so many spirits in this country. Republican pundits like to say on the news shows that Obama will most likely win but this just serves to enrage their base and get them to the voting booth. It also serves to make Democrats complacent. If we haven't learned a lesson from the Gore-Bush and Kerry-Bush outcomes, then we do not DESERVE to win any election..­.we will have proved ourselves to be gullible and lazy morons.

[truthforme]

I feel your pain, believe me. I remember 2004 like it was yesterday. But I seriously doubt anyone at this site will forget to vote.

[KarenJW]

Where did you get that information?

According to the Gallup website;
Gallup Daily: Obama 49%, McCain 43%October 16, 2008
The latest Gallup Poll Daily tracking report from Monday through Wednesday shows Barack Obama with a 49%to 43% lead over John McCain among registered voters.

http://www.gallup.com/tag/Gallup%2BDaily.aspx

[DIMPLES]

that first poll is a traditional poll gallup now polls 2 ways ,Gallup Tracking (Traditional)* 10/13 - 10/15 2143 LV 49 47 Obama +2
Gallup Tracking (Expanded)* 10/13 - 10/15 2312 LV 51 45 Obama +6 obama still leads

[TLV]

Looking forward to hearing that reassuring, calm, confident voice for the next EIGHT years.

[RantingTommy]

I am looking forward to not being talked to like I am a child after 8 years of condescending BS from Bush.

Barack is intelligent and speaks to me like I am an adult. Bush explains things like he is talking to a child because THAT IS HOW IT IS EXPLAINED TO HIM.

Progressive Jazz:
http://ere.digi-one.com

[gladys46]

So true ! McCain can be a total clown ... not a president!!! Obama has a larger persona to exhibit while at the same time intersperse his wonderful humor ! I'm floored in laughter by dry humor ... it's funnier !!!

[AlteSoldier]

Al Smith dinner in New York: McCain is a great comedian. He should forget politics and do stand up. McCain can't deal with facts and leadership! Obama, on the other hand, is just too serious to spend that much time on jokes. Obama is always thinking about how to move the country forward after the disaster called Bush. It is hard to make jokes when you see danger coming in the future.

Voters want a person with good judgement as president they have had enough with the want to be comedians.

[RantingTommy]

Even so, Barack's superior intelligence makes for a much better wit.

Progressive Jazz:
http://ere.digi-one.com

[lgwenmurphy]

You said it!

[JohnFromCensornati]

You're easily amused. McMyfriends is about as funny as a migraine.

[mybabylovesobama]

LOL!! thanks.

[peacekitten]

btw, a slightly OT observatio­n.........

is it just me, or does it seem just the tiniest bit rude that on every thread about mc(ain, there are advertisements for teeth whitening procedures?

[MNmommy]

Hee!

(I don't see any of that using Firefox with ad blocker.)

[MCMetalLivesForever]

That's merely coincidence ; if there were also human growth hormone ads , then you could be accusatory­..........­.....

[aliceinthewater]

I have them blocked, but that's funny!

[breakingnews]

No they are on other articles as well. I thought the same thing as well, until I saw them on an article about Wall Street Meltdown.

[peacekitten]

have you taken a good look at some of those guys on wall street?

just sayin'....­.....

[RantingTommy]

Do they have ads for blood transfusions on stories about Cheney?

Progressive Jazz:
http://ere.digi-one.com

[peacekitten]

well, they should also put in some for heart transplants for his articles..­....

[MNmommy]

This comment is pending approval and won't be displayed until it is approved.

truthforme See Profile I'm a Fan of truthforme I'm a fan of this user permalink

Sorry, I guess I just can't forgive him for the roll he played in the Iraq war. I used to love Colin Powell. Read his autobiography. I wanted HIM to be the first b-lack president. And then Iraq happened.

++++++++++­++++++++++­++++++++++­++

It's a tough one to be sure. I too was a great admirer of Powell, and his testimony at the UN was the only thing that made me wonder if we really should go into Iraq.

There was a lot of ev!l intent in what happened (the Neocons) but there were also a lot of good people/politicians that were caught up and dece!ved at the time. I guess perhaps, I'm just more forgiving - the majority of the country went along with this (were on board before even Powell's testimony), I attribute it to the sh0ck of 9 / 11. We were all explo!ted together.

[truthforme]

Thanks for your input. I don't think I'll ever forgive anyone for the Iraq war. I have never felt so powerless EVER in my life. Knowing they were lying. Unable to stop the progression. Being called UNPATRIOTIC by members of my own family for questioning the legitimacy of our President's claims. To this day I cannot discuss politics with my family.

[MNmommy]

I understand, that's a shame. :(