Senator McCain Isn't Funny, So Stop Encouraging Him

As we approach the August vacation season, naturally our thoughts turn to President Bush who has a just-a-regular-guy penchant for both five-week paid vacations and participating in unrelated tomfoolery during times of crisis.

This week, for instance, as the stock market spazzed and the price of everything climbed higher; as disaster struck American soldiers in Afghanistan; and as more Americans lost their homes to foreclosures due to the effects of Reaganomics... President Bush played t-ball.

In the past, it's been guitar-strumming and cake-eating during hurricanes. It's been golfing while Bin Laden planned to attack inside the U.S. It's been pontoon-boating trips, Barney-Cam videos and hilarious slideshows during some of the bloodiest days of the Iraq occupation.

And during Tuesday's press conference, as the DJIA sank below 11,000 for the first time in years, here are some of the president's facial expressions while mumbling his way through questions about bank bailouts, lost savings and $5/gallon gasoline:

The only explanations for these faces are, 1) the president doesn't take his job seriously -- like always, or 2) he's being tickled.

Undignified displays of grinning nonsense coinciding with times in which he ought to be acting like a president will hopefully be recorded as significant part of his legacy. To be fair, however, President Hoover was almost as bad -- participating in an All-American Grabasstic League exhibition game while the stock market crashed. (Historical sporting note: the Dale City "Blustery Pips" won the day, 32-10. However, their team leader, Festus "Long Whiskers" Pennypacker, suffered from tired blood and had to take three penalties for "infield respites." None of this is Hoover story is true.)

And now it's clear that the president's would-be Republican successor, Senator McJackie the McJokeman, will prove to be even less serious and dignified in the role of Smirker-in-Chief. If that were even possible.

Last week, in response to a serious question about Iran, the Republican presumptive nominee joked about killing Iranians with weaponized cancer. This week, it's news about a joke involving gorillas and rape.

"Did you hear the one about the woman who is attacked on the street by a gorilla, beaten senseless, raped repeatedly and left to die? When she finally regains consciousness and tries to speak, her doctor leans over to hear her sigh contently and to feebly ask, 'Where is that marvelous ape?'"

Get it? Women like to be beaten and raped. Hoo-hoo! In days past, it's been jokes about wife-beating, bombing Iran, Chelsea Clinton's looks, and Alzheimer's Disease. Based on these precedents, I can only imagine Senator McCain's forthcoming zingers about still-births, burn victims and Thalidomide.

But not unlike the president's overly jocular behavior during serious questions or serious crisis, for Senator McCain it's all about context and tone. How should a president behave in public? No one expects the presidency to be monastical of course. In fact, many of our greatest presidents were able to use comedy to their advantage, and more than a few of them knew how to make with the profanity. But, like anything, there's a time and place for such behavior. There's a context.

--The president isn't you and me. You and I can tell whatever joke we want whenever we want because we don't have to represent 300 million people on the world stage. Your personal behavior doesn't necessarily get passed on to posterity as a reflection of an entire era in American history. So if you want to tell that gorilla rape joke to your spouse or parents, have at it. If Senator McCain wants to tell a joke like that, he embarrasses more than just himself.

--The president ought to have good judgment. No shocker there. Judgment in this regard is the difference between, say, an invasion of Cuba leading to thermonuclear war or, on the other hand, a smarter, more sensible quarantine option. (Historians will forever hypothesize how Nixon, for instance, would have handled those 13 days.) Is certain behavior appropriate or obnoxious? If a candidate is unable to control himself and blurts out a joke about bestial rape or killing civilians despite the fact that there are reporters everywhere and he happens to be running for president, it goes a long way towards determining whether he's someone who we can trust to make snap decisions with global implications or whether he's simply a tweaking street loon who talks to invisible shadow people.

--The president should know the difference between funny and not funny, or else -- stay away from the comedy. A sense of humor doesn't literally mean "the ability to recite a joke." Anyone can repeat a joke. But politicians like Senator McCain have managed to accumulate a captive audience of reporters who have to laugh at his jokes or else be tossed out of the barbeque loop. Consequently, he can tell one of his awful jokes and everyone in the corp snarfs up their cole slaw. This reaction has thusly given the senator the false impression that he's funny, when he's really not. The gorilla rape joke, for example, is only funny in the context of, say, a larger bit about unfunny jokes -- or bad comics who try way too hard to be funny.

There was a classic episode of The Larry Sanders Show in which Hank, played by Jeffrey Tambor, guest-hosts the show. The first night during the opening monologue, the audience laughs along with him because he's genuinely nervous and humbled. However, the next night, the novelty of Hank is worn away due to his enormous ego and so he bombs. Then everything goes to hell when Hank, still in the monologue, calls the head writer "a hopeless retard" -- thinking it would get a laugh. Instead, the audience is shocked into silence until someone yells out, "You suck!" Artie (Rip Torn) stops the show and airs a Best of Larry in its place.

Artie's advice to Hank: "Now Hank, what have we learned here? When you're vulnerable and humble, people like you. When you act like an asshole, people tend to think of you as an asshole."

President Bush has been Hank for a long, long time. Senator McCain, if elected, will be far worse.

Bob Cesca's Goddamn Awesome Blog! Go!

Comments

[Weasie16]

This election has really brought out the bad side of my party. We're acting so petty and arrogant. Sen. Obama is young and fresh...ye­s. But that doesn't mean that everyone older is useless and something to mock or tear down. So far since Sen Obama has come onto the seen, all I've been noticing is how the media and public keep ridiculing icons that we've looked up to for a long time, and yet all of a sudden they are useless and yesterday's old newspaper sent to the curb for recycling. New is nice, but someone that's done a lot to get us where we are today, even if it doesn't apply to our own personal lives....i­s something that deserves respect and is part of our history. Sen. Obama and his work should be adding to that history, not tearing it down.

I'm not voting for McCain....­but I don't see a reason to mock or rip him apart just because I don't share his views. If we as Democrats want to be respected, we need to respect others.

[kajolo]

I think progressives have been so embarassed by our president and his administration of the executive branch for so long that we are now venting. We now have a chance to elect someone to the White House that might make us proud again of our government. The venting that you call the "bad side of our party" can definitely get out of hand...but it cannot even BEGIN to compare to the vitriolic, hate-filled, lying speech that is spewed out every hour from reactionary right-wing republican news-talk radio.

[Querent]

Yeah, we need to respect the Repigs in spite of the fact that they constantly call us traitors, terrorist sympathizers, stupid, ignorant, weak, pagan, and evil. That kind of treatment always wins my respect. Repigs have no concept of the idea of fair play. They always want the government to give them a giant advantage, which they cal a "level playing field". And, they are unbelievably dishonest and stupid. What's to respect?

[Peddler]

Relief in knowing that Dumb is leaving...­......let'­s hope Dumber doesn't follow in his footsteps.­..

[ilovemydoggy]

The mask slips and the real person is revealed. These Republicans are the same people you meet in Country Clubs - devoid of compassion, arrogant, smug in their entitlement. Anthropologist Virginia Cornue has some great insights about this from a Baby Boomer perspectives at http://www.Vaboomer.com

[OmnesOmnibus]

McCain is fairly typical of the macho military pilot world that crashed and burned in the Tailhook scandal. I don't think his silly stupid joke was malicious or intended to be so. He's just part of an older generation that was never sensitized. So is Jim Webb whose comments on women in combat made around the same time probably rule him out as an otherwise ideal VP choice for Obama. I think we can give McCain a pass on a crude joke carelessly made in 1987. Demonizing him is a mistake and it's wrong. And unfair. McCain is an authentic war hero and was once (not too long ago in fact until he started pandering) a near great Senator. But I believe his time has passed and Obama is the future. I hope. But treat McCain with the honor and respect he deserves. Democrats should never forget how they pleaded for McCain to run wth John Kerry (remember Biden begging him on a talk show?) This should be a spirited campaign between two worthy and distinguished opponents, and hopefully won't be a nasty sniping one with endless soundbite exchanges of no substance and little truth.

[jefegeoffe]

Thank you for that refreshing gust of fresh air! This is such a ridiculous distraction from the real issues of dispute between Sens. Obama and McCain that it has no place in any serious debate about their candidacies. Twenty-two years ago?!? Who among us would want their every voiced joke, opinion or thought from their (relative) youth brought out against them today? Sen. Obama has been, and continues to be bedeviled by the right-wing dredging through his past for any embarrassing tidbit, and we should hold ourselves to a higher standard.
Sen. Webb, also, was reflective of both his times and environment in his misogynistic stance on women in the military. I doubt there were many inside the military who could have foreseen the present acceptance of, indeed RELIANCE upon, women in combat-support roles, or the near certainty that all restrictions on service based on gender or orientation will be lifted in the future (too optimistic? Get back to me in twenty years). Should this admirable man be denied future opportunity for greatness based solely on that time? I certainly hope not, as I look forward to his future accomplishments.
Criticizing Sen. McCain for his sense (or lack) of humor, while letting him slide on his odious, reprehensible turnarounds on religious bigotry, torture and just taxation of the wealthiest among us is simply a gift to his campaign. Enough, already, on the minutiae! His vulnerabilities lie in his positions and his record, not his bad taste

[imfedup]

An authentic war hero? Because he got shot down? Because he was a POW? How does that make him a hero?

[nerakami]

I honestly believe that McCain is insensitive to women, people of different races, poor people and those who choose to challenge his ideas. He considers himself smarter than others and has no patience for other people's ideas. This man has no empathy for suffering and considers himself better than others.

That's my take on this man.

[Querent]

He also has no reason to think he is smarter than other people, which he clearly isn't.

[kellysmalltowngirl]

Not only is the joke not funny, it doesn't even make sense. Gorillas have 2 inch penises and ejaculate in about thirty seconds. Who would remember that? ; o

[kcmookie]

You know waaaaaaaaay to much about Gorillas.

[biglover]

ROFLMAO

[GolfingDevil05]

Wow. Why in the world would you have that kind of information at your disposal? You're not the small town girl you claim to be, are you? :-p

(And yes, I did laugh my a$$ of when I read your comment).

[ranchobob]

This is a culture that finds the execrable talents of Will Ferrel hugely entertaini­ng....

[Dots]

I really didn't think anybody could be as boring to watch as W but John McCain is worse.
It's painful to put onesself thru that kind of dullness..

[MPCarr]

Obama is not funny. Please mention one time that Obama said something that was funny.

McCain has proved to be witty and possess a dry sense of humor, on Saturday Night Live, the American Idol finale, at the debates, on the late night shoes, etc.

Huckabee is also very funny and witty. I hear he may have his own show on Fox News.

Again I cannot think of one time Obama has been funny. Please remind me.

[waverly]

The "Dr. Phil" comment regarding Phil Gramm's remark about whiners comes to mind.

[Laserbeam]

Please remind me again of how women being beaten and raped is funny.

[Incredulous]

This post isn't about Obama. It's about John McCain's poor taste. And FOX NEWS isn't a comedy station, though it's certainly a joke. So spin that crap somewhere else bozo.

[Shayrae]

This, in case no one has informed you, is a presidential election, not an audition for Comedy Central. People are hurting economically everyday in this country and people are condoning and even reveling in a so called candidate, telling off color jokes. While I'm filling up my car with 4 dollar a gallon gas..I'm thinking of the high prices at my next stop, the supermarket. That is not a laughing matter. Anyone who votes for McBush is an idiot and/or a fool.

[Buddy McCue]

Good thing we're voting for a President, and not a comedian. Obama doesn't need to be funny.

McCain shouldn't try.

[NewsCorpse]

Amongst other things, John McCain has made numerous jokes about age, even though he now condemns others for doing so.

He called Leisure World Seizure World. He said that the nice thing about Alzheimer’s is you get to hide your own Easter eggs. He even said in 2000 that "By 2008, I think I might be ready to go down to the old soldiers home."

These attempts at humor need to be recalled whenever McCain complains that some Obama surrogate says he is "confused.­"

http://tinyurl.com/mccain-nope

[jabee]

McCain is a nasy little man. Even to, especially to, his wife, his friends casual admit. And several in the senate have said more.

His tmeperment and stability, both physical and mental, are problems. His campaing knows it.

Cindy frequently looks doped up and stumbling, with glassy eyes...and McCain too, increasingly.
Good God, someone tell the truth.

[DrDidLittle]

Yes, but regurgitating old jokes from McCain's distant past, as the writer did with the gorilla joke, is grasping and disingenuous.

[ThermoChemist]

A quick comparison of some "jokes" by politicians.

(1) Kerry's attempt at humor no joke [Nov. 2006]
http://www.kommersant.com/p718849/r_527/John_Kerry/

John Kerry apologized to soldiers for a "botched joke." During a speech in front of students at a university, Kerry exhorted the young people to study hard and seemed to imply that unsuccessful students run the risk of "getting stuck in Iraq." Mr. Kerry's words caused a ruckus.

Also, in Pasadena, Kerry tried several one-liners about Bush - "He has lived in Texas but now he lives in a state of denial" - not exactly brilliantly cutting.

(2) Bush's "Pretending" to look for WMD at the White House Correspondent's Dinner

(3) McCain

Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno.”
– McCain, June 1998.

- Speaking in SC, McCain was asked when he thought the US Military might "send an air mail message to Tehran."
'BOMB bomb bomb, bomb bomb Iran,' he sang.

- Apr. 2007; McCain asked by Jon Stewart about his shopping trip at a Baghdad market, responded, “I had something picked out for you, too — a little IED to put on your desk.”

- And now, McCain said in regards to Iranians and cigarettes, "Maybe that’s a way of KILLING them."

It seems Republican "jokes" almost always seem to "mock or marginalize" someone; or be about death and destruction, because you know, that's ALWAYS FUNNY! [A sad insight into the Republican persona?]

[ez14livin]

don't forget the joke from a colorado republican event: if obama wins, the name will have to be changed to the black house

or the macaca humor of virginia

you are exactly correct about the republican sense of humor (or lack thereof).

maybe it makes it easier to rip people off if you can pretend you are better than they are

[JJeff88]

It isn't that he's "old" or that he's a bit "weird."

What strikes me most about Sen. McCain is that he doesn't come across as very bright.

[flatus]

What was that McCain Naval Academy ranking again? Fifth from the bottom in a class of 500 ?

[KevinMast]

Exactly. He comes across as an idiot just like Bush.

[RobertAndropolis]

Graduated Naval Academy #942 of 948.

[luziannagirl]

After the last 8 yrs of government courtesy "C" students, Republicans concluded that it could only be improved with an administration peopled by "F" students.

"F" students running an "F" -ed up country---IF Republicans win this fall.

[Iam4thiscountry]

When you finish close to last in your class, you are not very bright. McCain is weird and not very bright! How many times is he going to reoranze his campaign staff?

[ngannon]

I think that McCain has always just got by with a lot of help from others. He was a total screw up in Military School-paid for by the tax payer. His father used his considerable influence to get him out of all of his messes. Despite his lousy record McCain was granted advantages in the Military at the expense of more qualified candidates and even then he lost multiple aircraft before crashing into a lake in Nam- after 23-24 combat hours. Even his POW years seemed to be influenced by who he was- other POWs were not interviewed lying in a hospital, in a cast, smoking cigarettes. I do not blame him for any type of cooperation or information that he gave regarding who he was to get this treatment - many would have done the same- but in their case it wouldn't help. When he got back from Nam he dumped his family to marry an heiress whose family financed his political career. That actually I can blame him for- lousy behavior. Now- running for President- he seems to try to get by without doing his homework- he is remarkably uninformed most of the time. The press and the public have been giving him a pass-only Wes Clarke has pointed out the lack of clothing and he got crucified for doing so. Hopefully the media and the public will start to take a close look at this guy- he has been getting by for way too long.

[whitewaterwillie]

Bush-McCain humor. Only the syncophants laugh.

[legoh]

This piece is spot on. But unfortunately the people likely to vote for McCain either enjoy his brand of humor or don't care that the jokes aren't funny.

[Incredulous]

Yes, McCain's supporters actually think killing innocent civilians is an appropriate punchline to a joke. Funny though... I didn't see any of them laughing after 911. Sort of like Bush's joke about looking for WMDs under the table. Yes, invading a sovereign nation under trumped up charges, dead American soldiers, LOTS of dead Iraqis, Bin Laden still on the loose, the economy cratering from the huge war debt, oil at record highs, all because Bush lied about WMDs. That's hilarious!

[Petesdaddy]

A GOP acquaintance of mine thinks Ann Coulter is hilarious. I don't know why.

[Hillrick]

Just told an octogenarian McCain's gorilla joke. He laughed. And when I told him who told the joke he said no it had to be Obama that said it. After which he proceeded to quote Hannity. Some times life just aint funny