McCain, the jokester, is no laughing matter to the Obama camp

John McCain has a reputation that would make a Borscht Belt comedian proud. Of course, humor, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder.

He reeled off some of his familiar jokes last night at an Aspen, Colo., fundraiser. (Among the, um, highlights, was calling ”Silent Cal" Coolidge "a hell of a campaigner.”)

At a meeting this morning at the Aspen Institute, McCain was jovial after sharing breakfast with T. Boone Pickens, the billionaire oil man, who has launched a campaign to boost domestic natural gas and wind power as cheaper alternatives to imported oil. Pickens has invested in both alternatives.

“How are you Boone?” McCain greeted Pickens, according to a pool reporter. Also there was a McCain confidante, South Carolina Sen. Lindsay Graham.

McCain told Pickens that Graham, a fellow Southerner, “speaks your language.”

Now, mentioning the accents of people you will need in November may not sound like a great strategy, but McCain has a history of telling people things they don’t like. He campaigns in the industrial areas and praises international trade agreements. He comes to California and praises offshore oil drilling. He went to the Iowa State Fair and said he didn't believe in federal subsidies for ethanol.

Having found a common language, McCain and Pickens made small talk before the cameras. Pickens mentioned that he had recently been in Iowa, and McCain replied that industry  there had attracted a large Hispanic population. Pickens noted the recent Census Bureau report that Caucasians will no longer be the majority in the United States by 2042. “We’ll go in the minority by 2042. You and I won’t have to worry about that,” Pickens said, according to the pool report.

As aides began ushering the pool reporters from the Pickens breakfast, one called out: "Senator McCain, can you say anything about the Jerome Corsi book, 'Obama Nation'?" McCain stepped toward the reporter, possibly to hear better, and the reporter repeated "The Jerome Corsi book? That book, 'Obama Nation,' Jerome Corsi, that some people are asking...."

McCain replied "Gotta keep your sense of humor," and the pool was escorted from the room. The McCain camp later said that the candidate had not heard the question and thought the reporter was asking about the campaign's recent television ads. 

For its part, the Obama campaign didn't take the reference to Corsi's book, “The Obama Nation: Leftist Politics and the Cult of Personality,” as a laughing matter. Corsi achieved fame -- or depending on your viewpoint, infamy –- as the co-author of “Unfit for Command,” the attack on the Vietnam War record of 2004 Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry.

In his current book, Corsi argues that Barack Obama is a dangerous radical. According to the Associated Press, the book is a compilation of all the innuendo and false rumors, easily available on the Internet, against Obama — that he was raised a Muslim, attended a radical, black church and secretly has a "black rage" hidden beneath the surface.

The Obama campaign -- eager to discredit the book and slam the Republican candidate in the process -- immediately shot back, issuing a statement before McCain aides put out their clarification.

“The old John McCain used to boast about honorable politics, while the new John McCain finds Rovian smears funny,” Obama campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor said in a prepared statement today. McCain’s presidential hopes were dashed by nasty rumors --- allegedly spread by Karl Rove -- in 2000.

“Honor is not a laughing matter. What does John McCain think is funny about an intolerant smear artist who called Pope John Paul II senile and claims the government lied about 9/11?,” Vietor said of Corsi.
“McCain has said he wants to run an honorable campaign, but his belief that these smears are funny makes people question whether he now approves of the same reprehensible politics used to smear his own character eight years ago.”

--Michael Muskal

Comments

[coolrepublica]

People wonder why McCain is so close in the poll. I think that he will win this election. The simple reason is people like candidate with a sense of humor.

Say what you may about Obama one of the things that people are in complete agreement about is that he really is not a guy with a sense of humor.

I'm not looking forward to his tax plans. His plan to socialize health care and spend US tax dollars like it never needs to be paid back, but most of all I strongly believe that an Obama presidency would be one of the most depressing 4 years in American history. People during the Great Depression would have had a better time. Everyone is looking at what they do and say around him. His supporters are nut jobs if there was any. For them calling Obama skinny is racist, saying he is a celebrity is racist, saying that his ego is bigger than Texas is racist, you say Obama has a nice smile is racist. Where does it end. Americans would rather take their chance with McCain than go Prozac for 4 years to make the time go fast before they lose their mind. When Obama loses in November and he will, don't blame anyone but Obama supporters. They scare the crap out of everyone else.

[Foster]

A sense of humor shows strength, much like other attributes that Mr. McCain has and Obama doesn't.

Would obama wine like this in a debate too?

Go McCain!

[youguysarehilarious]

forget your meds, coolrepublica? I think there's a copied-n-pasted talking point or two that you missed in yr incomprehensible rant

[Dan Schechter]

Regarding Jerome Corsi's new book, McCain refuses to disavow it: "Gotta keep your sense of humor." That's not what he said in August of 2004 in response to an ad based on Jerome Corsi's "Swift Boat" attack on John Kerry: "I deplore this kind of politics," McCain said. "I think the ad is dishonest and dishonorable . . . . " [Los Angeles Times, August 6, 2004, page A25: "McCain Decries Ad, Vouches for Kerry."

I guess that was then, and this is now.

[Democrats]

how about the old Obama and the new Obama

the guy has no principles, but flips around opportunistically - he'll do whatever to get elected

of course he has black rage - his mentor and his wife, the most influential people in his life, and chosen relationships, are documented ragers.

[monkeybacon]

So over 40% of americans scare the crap out of you? Who is spending tax dollars right now like they never need to be paid back. Get a clue.

[truth]

You call lying about someone just to win a sense of humor, and as far as a depressing 4yrs, I'm sick of the last depressing 7yrs.

[MKochinski]

Nice job of squeezing in nearly every Republican talking point in one post "cool". How unfotunate for you that every one of them is a lie.

After 20 years of increasing deficits under Republican control, with a brief return to a surplus only during the 8 years of a Democratic administration, any Republican accusing Democrats of irresponsible spending is delusional.

[JWM]

I'm not fully sold on either one. I really would like to see a conservative democrat. A guy that can try to help the poor and not support killing babies. A guy that knows that evolution and Christianity are not compatible, but rather are opposites. Lets stop exporting jobs, and make health care and education affordable. It seems only rich people can afford college any more. I could go for a conservative democrat. I heard that once upon a time the democrats were the conservative party. What happened?

[Ron]

With all the stuff that is going on now with Russa, who do you want running the U.S ? I know McCain will do more than just ask them to just play nice!

[atanta]

What about McCains white rage. You people are so one sided.

[john biggs]

Sen. McCain should publicly denounce this book as a pack of lies. He should state that he does not want or need Mr. Corsi's support.

To not denounce this book publicly is to accept the hatred, deceit and racism the book touts as facts. To say nothing against this book, shows Sen. McCain to be a hypocrite and a dishonest man.

Sen. McCain owes it to the United States of America to take a stand on this.

Sen. McCain, we're waiting.

[dave]

some people will notice that this is all about money and power, and not about how to help the country out of the mess that it's in, and the people to regain their rights and freedom, but that it is they who are being sold all over again, to be robbed of their wealth, their rights, their future. if it were not so serious, grotesquely sadistic and cynical, it could all be seen as a laughing matter. when people realize that they are being mocked, abused and humiliated by this display of utter disrespect for their vital concerns and interests, and that they deliberately have been placed in a frightful lose-lose situation, they might still choose to opt out of this self-destructive nightmare. the legitimate constitutional republican candidate for president, RON PAUL, has pointed out the fundamental problems, and worked out the viable solutions.

[raider99]

Where was McCain's famous sense of humor when Wesley Clark said that getting shot down didn't necessarily qualify you to be president. Not funny, John? Can dish it out, but can't take it? Hypocritical, lying wimp.

[Damon]

The AP claimed the book is false?.... citing claims that he was raised a Muslim, attended a radical, black church.
Those aren't false. The world knows he attended a radical black church for well over a decade until this year. That cannot be denied. Even Snopes states that Obama attended Muslim majority schools for 4-5 years.
That book is #1 because it is credible.

[life liberty and the pursuit of happiness]

I hope this time round people will take the time to research and learn about EACH of the candidates whichever way they are comfortable with before making their final decision.

There is an awful lot at stake this time round.and a lot of misinformation out there.

[MKochinski]

Republicans had their chance, and had complete control now for almost 8 years. They've started two unfinished wars, lost jobs for the first time since the Great Depression, created a record breaking deficit and increased the national debt.

The Democrats ran things more responsibly. I'll take my chances with the proven track record.

[Bruno Cattivabrutto]

McCain probably couldn't understand the question considering he's already almost as senile as Reagan was in his last term

[hgn]

"I'm not fully sold on either one. I really would like to see a conservative democrat. A guy that can try to help the poor and not support killing babies. A guy that knows that evolution and Christianity are not compatible, but rather are opposites. Lets stop exporting jobs, and make health care and education affordable. It seems only rich people can afford college any more. I could go for a conservative democrat. I heard that once upon a time the democrats were the conservative party. What happened?"

They reached the age of reason, and developed a bit more intelligence.

[Robert Lewis]

Jerome Corsi of Swiftboat fame: His over $150,000 in judgments, his corporations and more

webofdeception.com

[Marv Humphreys]

It is sad to see the state of our political system come to so much chaos. I may not like either candidate, but I do believe that in order to be a good president, you must have a good sense of humor. However, I also believe that politics should be operated out of a sense of duty to the people of this country, provide confidence in America, and should inspire rather than discourage the audience. The state of politics has become a plethoras of sound bites and nonsense on both sides of the isle.

What has ever happened to the true American dream? Why the antagonism and negativity? Can we no longer be the land of freedom and responsibility? It is no wonder that our country is going down! Neither party has any answers because they are only concerned about their own personal legacy rather than the legacy of this nation.

[Jimi Mosey]

With all the stuff that is going on now with Russa, who do you want running the U.S ? I know McCain will do more than just ask them to just play nice!

Posted by: Ron
________________
With McSame's famous temper and his inability to tell one country from another and his compensity to harbor lobbyists from foreign nations on his campaign staff and his failing memory, I will take my chances with Sen. Obama, thank you. McSame keeps getting by on his "foreign policy" credentials, keeps getting a pass on all of his gaffes and inconsistencies. His ability to make sexist remarks about his wife and the fact that he committed adultery (apparently lost on the "evangelical" community) with Cindy while his first wife was suffering from her many surgeries because of an auto accident. It comes as no surpise that many of us will enjoy having a good, generous Christian man at the helm, someone who is still married to his first wife and is a family man and a thinking person who has real ideas instead of rhetoric. That man is Sen. Obama and none of your sour right-wing slugs will change that. Sorry, nice try.

[Marv Humphreys]

It is sad to see the state of our political system come to so much chaos. I may not like either candidate, but I do believe that in order to be a good president, you must have a good sense of humor. However, I also believe that politics should be operated out of a sense of duty to the people of this country, provide confidence in America, and should inspire rather than discourage the audience. The state of politics has become a plethoras of sound bites and nonsense on both sides of the isle.

What has ever happened to the true American dream? Why the antagonism and negativity? Can we no longer be the land of freedom and responsibility? It is no wonder that our country is going down! Neither party has any answers because they are only concerned about their own personal legacy rather than the legacy of this nation.

[Hanzjager]

"A sense of humor shows strength"

I say Doug Benson run for president then!

Don't worry republitards... it's not going to be close come the election.

[MKochinski]

Actually, Damon, attending a school that has a majority of Muslims attending it does not make Obama a Muslim.

Also, attending a church with a black radical pastor does not make Obama radical.

You have two opposing accusations going on here, and you can't even see the contradiction in simultaneously trying to paint Obama as a radical black Christian AND as a Muslim.

Not that the self-contradiction matters. You'll take any smear you can and repeat it incessantly.