Another Reason We Need Shorter Campaigns

As a comic, I know that on stage, your mind goes a thousand times faster than normal. The brain gets hyper-vigilante, constantly sizing up the audience; "What's working, what's not working... Why was there an errant snicker right there? Did I mispronounce something? Is my fly open? Is there a thing in my nose? Did someone do that joke before me? Why didn't they laugh at that? And that other line that wasn't supposed to be funny - how come they laughed at that? What's happening?!" It's exhausting - the constant scanning and calculating, assessing and re-grouping.

Now. Magnify that by a gazillion, and imagine what it's like to run for President. With a bazillion eyes and ears zeroed in on your face, watching every breath, syllable, blink and cough, perversely hoping you'll do or say something that - they will argue - makes you come off as too elite, too street, insensitive, too sensitive, too black, not black enough, too confident, too weak, too different, too terrorist-y...
It's no way to live.

So my heart sank a bit yesterday watching our brave new leader in his first post-victory public address. I think we all can agree that if nothing else, Barack Obama is certainly intelligent, disciplined, thoughtful, and courteous. So it was odd to see him stumble through the "Nancy Reagan séance" moment. It wasn't a big deal, really. But I swear, I could see the gears in his brains grinding. Like watching a fellow-comic on stage panic about something that you - sitting in the comfort of the audience - know is nothing to panic about.

They asked him if he plans to confer with any former presidents.

He says, "Yes, I've conferred with all of them."

And in that half a nano-second, the vigilant candidate mind-set triggered an alert. "Oh, no! I just said I spoke to all the presidents. Like all 43 of them! Watch - that's going to be the friggin' headline: 'Exhausted Obama Delusional. Claims to Chat with Jefferson, Madison and Lincoln. Lunch with Garfield, McKinley and Roosevelt Set For Early Next Week!' I better explain."

"I mean, y' know... All the living ones."

Now to me, it didn't seem like he needed to go there at all. I didn't think anyone misunderstood "I spoke to all of them." Obviously that means "all the living ones." Duh.

But I'm not him. I haven't just done eleven shows a night for 22 months. Having just stepped off the longest, most brutal campaign ever, with verbal minefields and political death looming at every turn, you can forgive the man for still being a little tightly wound. (Having the weight of the world's expectations on your shoulders can do that, I would imagine.)

So, when someone in the room snickered at "You know, I mean, the living ones," President Elect Obama, the comic-who-was-doing-fine-but-thought-he-was-losing-them had to now explain that one too. "You know, I didn't want to get all Nancy Reagan-y séance on you." ("Oh, no - now they're going to jump on that! 'Wet-Behind-The Ears Democrat Ridicules Republican Icon! Pictures at Eleven!')

Then it just keeps snowballing. Like the comic who accidentally swears on stage and then can't stop. ("Oh fuck, I just said shit.")

Somewhere in his brilliant performer mind, Obama must've known it was time to go to a new bit. ("C'mon, someone give me another question. Something easy. Oh good... something about the dog.")

Of course, two seconds later, the mind was back in red alert. ("Oh, shit... I just called myself a 'mutt.' Oh, fuck, I just said shit again!")

He was trying to put out a fire that wasn't really there, and in the process, made a silly joke. Clearly, there's some sort of transition time needed between campaigning (" I really want to convince you why I'd be good at this job.") and having won. ("Wow - I actually have the job?") I'm not sure how long it takes to make that adjustment, but knowing what we know of Barack Obama, I'm pretty sure he's already made it. Let's cut the guy some slack. And don't forget folks: please - tip your waitress.

Comments

[jmpurser]

He misspoke. He made a small joke. He got the chuckle it deserved. And the right wing went into anaphylactic shock. He apologized so we can all move on.

All in all what I've come to expect from the right wing and better than I anticipated from Senator Obama.

[nikkz]

personally i was more offended by him calling himself a mutt. that was awkward.

[robXdion]

I felt the same. Whites are giggling, but blacks and mixed race people were cringing. He's not Chris Rock. He needs to stick to the script and be a president.

[spicehandler]

I can assure you that this "mixed race person" was not cringing but rejoicing. He doesn't need to stick to any script. Palin did that (more or less). There is no script for the huge job he is beginning. We want, desperately need, his sense of humor and that entails an occasional gaffe. How many innocent civilians were accidentally killed by the US military in Afghanistan and Iraq that day? And Hannity and Co. were SCREECHING that old Nancy Regan's FEELINGS could have been hurt. Sheesh. And even that gaffe gave President (elect) Obama yet another chance to show how absolutely classy he is...

[Bluemarbles]

I found him to be warm and genuine when calling himself a mutt. I'm a mutt, too-- parentage from here and there, not one place. No big deal.

[robXdion]

It's not about you. It's about children who have to deal with that. Not everyone has your wonderful experiences. Some people deal with nastiness you don't even know about whether you were born and raised in the South or not. Think on that.

[lizr]

Mutts are going to be the rule rather than the exception soon.

I appreciate a little self deprecating humor myself.

Let's get out of critical mode and cut him some slack.

Enough with the judgmentalism.

[olivesforbreakfast]

Personally, I didn't think the 'mutt' joke was funny, not because it was or wasn't a spur of the moment comment, but for what it represents.

In fact, I thought it was kind of racist, as though there are pedigree races somewhere at the high priced shops, and then the mixed breeds at the public 'shelter'.

I was surprised that Obama would think this way. No, I didn't place a lot of importance on it, but frankly, I wish he hadn't gone there.

[Shazzbot]

See snookcatcher149 below. I'm sorry you were offended, but I think he/she has the more prevalent viewpoint. The 'mutt' reference wasn't racist, it was a joke at the expense of racism as an idea. And another notch up for Mr Obama - the man who can laugh at himself (see? he's not that stuffy, self-important, too-tightly-wound weirdo the right would have you think).

[robXdion]

I don't think Obama realizes in the South the "mutt" slur is used as often as the N-word with just as much venom. By all accounts I don't think he's ever really ventured South too often until this campaign. He needs to ask around before tossing that kind of crap out. There's a lot of mixed children in school being called mutts and it's not cute or funny.

[Bluemarbles]

I don't mean to offend you, but I was born in the South, live in the South and travel to various places in the South and I sure haven't been anywhere that anybody has a problem with the term "mutt" especially when contrasted with the "N-word". There may be some goofy full pedigree blue-bloods somewhere around here who might think that "mutt" is an insult, but I don't know any mutts who would give a hoot. It would definitely reflect badly on the person dispensing the "venom".

I must admit, when I read the critical phrase, "he needs to ask around before tossing that kind of crap out," I thought, "Joe? Joe the Plumber? Is that you?"

Please. We've got a great President-elect to support. Being so picky and fussy is not helpful.

[TOOO]

Yes, we should cut him some slack.

Too bad we know the corporate media - especially Fox News (a contradiction terms, if I ever heard one) - won't. Judging by the people I work with, Republicans are especially sore losers.

[robXdion]

How you described him is exactly how I saw him. He wanted to be affable but went a lil overboard, then he over-corrected. I don't think he's really used to being "The Man" just yet. He's still in "candidate mode". Seeing everyone stand as he entered the room even through him off for a second. He'll get used to it soon.

[snookcatcher149]

I loved it when Obama referred to "mutts like me". He did it so casually that it really showed he is able to joke about himself naturally, which is a great personal quality, and it also showed that though he is well aware of the race issue he is way beyond taking it too seriously. He and Chris Rock or Eddie Murphy could be on the same stage, only he would be the one without the profanity. About the seance reference, sure he made a mistake there, but he didn't beat himself up about it. He called her and apologized - the gentlemanly thing to do - unlike another president who has never admitted a mistake. No harm, no foul. Obama is human. He will make mistakes. He has already told us that. But he has enough self confidence to live with the mistakes, take action to correct them when possible, and will keep moving ahead.

[Bdwyre]

I found neither comment offensive and when he said he had spoke with "all of the former presidents" I certainly didn't picture him having a conversation with Jefferson and Madison.

I think that like all of us he will say things that slip out the wrong way. But he's a smart guy and it's refreshing (and quite wonderful) to have a president who can actually speak in coherent sentences.

[GingersPawPaws]

lol..I know Right!!

[Freesia2]

He speaks English. Isn't that wonderful. :-) I also think it's pathetic that I'm so grateful. How have we stood the last incoherent 8 years?

Ah geez.. Barack - excuse me President Obama - needs a break. He needs to go off somewhere with his wife and daughters and sleep til noon and read a good mystery and eat treats and then take a nap and rest up from his nap with another nap. He's earned it. And if he talks in his sleep - I'll bet he does that better than most of us do wide awake.

Thank you Paul. I whinced at the 2 comments (even though I thought they were human and funny but knowing what the GOP drama queens and scandal mongers would likely do with both) but you got it. Thank you for helping to give him a break.

[GotDirtNM]

At least after the Nancy Reagan comment, Obama promptly admitted he made a mistake, made a phone call, made an apology, and moved on.

Much different from having the Bush Spinarino press secty. doing after the fact damage control about "what mistake? no mistake! is that what you heard? that's not what i heard. we have no further comment"

[Ugonna]

its just that I didn't really think that comment was offensive. Was it walking the line? Maybe, but he didn't fall over it.

[truesteam]

The man needs some sleep. But, peace and relaxation is probably a good 8 years off.
I did not think either of the gaffes were even gaffes. Nancy Reagan is what 86 years old? She is tough as nails. She is proven good people. She was the rock her husband leaned on through his series of gaffes. She knows when she should be insulted and when she should laugh. My guess is she told him not to be ridiculous. No harm done.
I do not expect the GOP to cut the guy any slack. But, I am so glad you pointed it out in those terms. So, those thinking he had some sort of weak spot can relax and get on the empathy train.
Also, I am a mutt. When people ask me my nationality my response is 1/4 Swedish; 1/4 Norwegian and 1/2 party-girl on my mother's side (every European Country excluding the mediterranean, with a splash of Cherokee). People need to lighten up about their heritage.

[char982]

very good insight, funny way of breaking down what may have been going through his mind. He's a real person, and real people with senses of humor make jokes sometimes. It was really sweet of him to call her up and apologize though.

[Delphine]

Uh, I'd rather have him inadvertently insult me and everyone of my gender/rac­e/national­ity/hair color than insult my intelligence with smirking lies and unintelligible gibberish like the fool that's in the WH now.

Obama can weather this stuff because it's clear he has a generous heart. It won't be easy because some in the media will twist and distort every syllable that comes out of his mouth, and the right will pounce on every perceived and invented slight.

But he's intelligent and personable enough to stuff it back down their throats, with a smile.

[maxx1]

What about his supporters campaign exhaustion ?

check out

http://fliiby.com/file/118133/l9il1bqgyo.html

[blueshift]

au contraire. the new administration should move in immediately, like they do in other countries.

[Georgia1992]

I was wondering if he had spoken to the dead presidents. I gave the Brotha some slack. After the election he had to hit it again.

[TxTeacher08]

Paul, my wife loved your books and I loved your blog here. It was good to get a laugh after this grueling election cycle. You are so right. The man is exhausted. Cut him some slack America! He needed the week to rejuvenate as he begins the arduous task of healing and fixing our divided nation.

[eden4barack08]

That was fantastic Paul. You're so right! People need to lighten up a bit.

Btw, I think that what kinda threw him off balance a bit from the beginning maybe, is when upon his entrance all the members of the press stood up to greet him. Now, the man has given thousands of press conferences in these two years, but that was a first, and perhaps it really hit him, that he'd actually won. I thought he was great, "mutt" and all. ;>)