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."

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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

[Tobiasism]

Tremendous!

When is the 1/2 hour talk?

October 29th?

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

Has McCain lost Leno too?

Seems like it.

[Missmn]

Actually, this reminded me a little bit of question and answer time in the House of Commons. While funny, I do think that the overall message of each candidate got out there and it was, for me anyway, a great thing to watch. McCain was funny and he got his digs in. Obama was funny and he got his message out.

[BlueStateMan]

Every time I watch the House of Commons on CSpan, I lament the lack of eloquence in our own body-politic.

[globalcitizenlinda]

Well done Obama!!

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

McCain shouldn't have gone on Letterman.

He doesn' t like McCain very much. Who can blame him?

[PAposter]

Well, he used to like him a lot, but he feels like McCain blew him off, for some fake emergency. When friends f*ck over you, they should pay for it.

[truthforme]

Personally, I think John McCain is waking up and realizing he has to live with the rest of America when this campaign is over, not just the republican base.

Maybe he is beginning to make amends for some of his behavior? Odd, really, seeing how he will be continuing same said behavior from now until Nov 4th.

Seems a bit schizo if you ask me.

[BlueStateMan]

Many mental health professionals have recently opined that McCain's PTSD (largely untreated) is recurring under the strain of the campaign.

This is something I wouldn't wish on my own worst enemy. There are people very dear to me that suffer from it... & it is HORRIBLE.

All the more reason that he should NEVER occupy the White House.

[Missmn]

"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.""

Actually, that comment had nothing to do with any "lingering distrust." It was in reference to the tough campaign Clinton ran against Obama. Not sure why you would write it up otherwise.

[PAposter]

I agree. I hate when someone feels the need to rewrite a story that needs no embellishment.

[CassG]

Thank you for pointing that out! The joke had NOTHING to do with mistrust, but rather the close primary race.

[t mout]

Senator Obama looke PRESIDENTIAL. He set the record straight on every point even if it was in this light and delightful manner. They got the point.

[PAposter]

I agree, I think it was a good thing.

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

McCain shouldn't have went on Letterman.

He doesn' t like McCain very much. Who can blame him?

[MNmommy]

Sounds like MTP is must watch, will Colin Powell endorse Obama?

[TiffanyHusseinBanned]

Morning,

Yup. Yup. Why are Mika and them outside like i d i o t s?

[MCMetalLivesForever]

Ummmm....................Because they are i d i o t s

[PAposter]

...and complaining about the weather. It's beautiful where they are, but why outside? Why are they there, at all?

[MNmommy]

They were at the Sox/Tampa game last night in Boston - so they decided to do the show from Hyannis Port I guess. Joe was being a complete wu$$ at the beginning of the show about it being cold.

[BLinCincinnati]

Cause they are i d i o t s.

[diwdeesmom]

Mika looks absolutely miserable and cold. It was probably Joe's idea.

[HypnoToad]

I had almost sworn off MTP, but I will have to watch General Powell.

From what I had heard he was waiting for the end of all the debates before considering an endorsement. I think it would carry a good bit of weight.

[truthforme]

I still don't understand why people are hung up on an endorsement from Powell. What gives? Is the man's opinion THAT important?

[MNmommy]

I think they outlined *why* this particular endorsement is different from most. It'd be cross party for him, therefore has the potential to assure Independents that remain undecided. I'm not saying that it will - but it does have the potential to allay certain fears, and lawd knows the thugs have been trading on fear for awhile.

HypnoToad, indeed, he said he wouldn't decide until after all of the debates at the wonderful World Challenge Forum last month. I don't know that it's guaranteed that Obama will be the recipient though.

[Mekarri]

WHO CARES, what that traitor powell thinks. I paint him with the same brush as bush and chaney.

[mooses4obama]

New dance craze, do the McCain Shuffle:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR9ZHN285EY

[PAposter]

That's cool, thanks!

[SMP]

I think last nights "roast" was a great break in the campaign for both men. McCain was really funny, he has been at that longer. Obama, realy did far better than I thought he would. Gotta love that little laugh he gives at himself. Unlike, McCain, Obama was really trying to put to rest the racial undertones created by McCain. This is about all of us..not just the few.

[BethStuart]

I approve of these exchanges to the extent they help dissipate the animosity towards Obama that Palin and McCain have helped generate at their rallies.

[sophistwatch]

So all the bashing each other over the head on the campaign trail is for the benefit of the public???

I am kind of pissed off that they could go there and play footsie while we have to watch and listen to the grind, grind, grind of the raw negativity and constant attacks every day.

While everybody else is on pins and needles, it appears to be just a little contest among gentlemen for them. If it is not real to them, why the hell should it be for us? Why should we adopt the bitterness and partisanship of this talent show to divide the Joe six packs and Joe plumbers from the Joe doctors and Joe lawyers?

It is kind of a wake up call to think that while many families are deeply divided over this race and the public could spark into violence at any minute, that the two guys responsible for causing the ruckus are joking with the rich, famous and well connected about the whole thing.

If the behavior I witnessed is any indication that, underneath all the MSM spin and hype, the candidates are really just two senators that will have to work together when all this is behind them, I had a very mistaken view of the real nature of this race.

Maybe we voters are taking this whole thing too seriously. Heck, when this is over Obama and McCain might even start palling around together.

[breakingnews]

Putting aside partisan politics for an evening for the sake of a childrens charity is exactly what should be done at an event like that.

It doens't mean that all the emotions are not real in the election. It was just a welcome break from all the bitterness.

Today is will be back to business as usual.

[truthforme]

In the end, these two men HAVE to work together in the same room. I think what you saw was just a way of getting through a difficult night on the same stage. What would you have them do? Start arguing and yelling at each other? Bring their difference to this event?

People often hide behind their anger by using humor as a tool.

I think this was just an example of that.

[pupbayer]

I know how you feel. I guess it is good they can still be charming and funny and nice to each other but how do you turn the campaign off IF they really mean what they say on the trail. I know they have to work to together after this is over and it is "just politics" but it makes both of them seem so insincere. Oh, well...they're all out for themselves and their interests anyway and I know that but it still irritates me when I'm slapped in the face with it.

[klo]

Don't believe it.
This is a right of passage of the OBN.
McCain was right in his element.
Obama didn't like having to be there.
Should it have been cancelled, probably. But that's water under the bridge now.
Let's move on and get this done.
We've got 17 days.
Remember:to combat the purging of names, make sure you're registered and:

Vote early
Vote early
Vote early

[RocketSurgery]

The only thing that's real for them is their ambition.

I think they believe their rhetoric on some level, but I don't think they take themselves as seriously as the campaign staff and supporters who help get them elected.
.

[klo]

I get the impression that McCain is the proverbial fratboy who makes fun of the new plebes. It's a role that he has perfected. He makes faces while others are speaking to show his disdain for them. The faces are because he has to be somewhat respectful and be quiet but it still gets him attention. He likes insulting people and he likes hurting people verbally until it goes over the top and he's called on his behavior or acts surprised at the response he got. It gives him an out. "I didn't mean nothing by it.", was probably an often used sentence by him in his life and he was usually forgiven. Think how he ran his recent rallies. Think of the "little jerk" comment a few months ago or calling his wife a c**t. He's mean as a snake but wants others to like him while also fearing him.
Obama's humor is drier. And it is self deprecating because he doesn't like to hurt people or injure someone's dignity. He gets what's funny and he likes to laugh but not at the expense of others. And you can see it when his smiles reach his eyes. And for that I don't think he was very comfortable in this setting. His smiles weren't true. Given his age, he may have been the butt of jokes as a kid being of mixed race parentage. Making fun of people isn't what he finds funny and he doesn't like it.

[StevieRae]

Like the debates, it was an opportunity for people to see how much of a "class" act Obama is off the campaign trail. This country will be most fortunate to have a leader like him.

[MCMetalLivesForever]

McLousyPilot was funny because he's a clown ...............I will be sending him Ringling Bros' phone number to set up his audition after the 5th ..............

[peacekitten]

and there's bound to be at least one clown car among the 13 vehicles he owns.....

[MCMetalLivesForever]

Stuff the entire GOP in just one of them .................I'm sure Larry Craig will love that.

[BlueStateMan]

How about the "Mini Cooper"... a once-British car.... distributed by BMW.... but is actually a Dodge Neon in all but appearance (no joke).