The Presidential race becomes the NFL (No Fun League)
posted at 2:26 pm on April 25, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
Since when did we get so many sticks-in-the-mud inside the Beltway? The latest outrage du Twitter comes from the Democrats, as a DNC official got caught telling an ageist joke about John McCain. Stone the crows!
Call it the perils of Twitter.
Or new Maginot Line in what Slate’s John Dickerson has called “the Umbrage War.”
On his Facebook page, the Democratic National Committee’s director of research, Mike Gehrke, was shown “twittering” — meaning he was sending a message to his friends through “Twitter” — the following message:
“Mike is twittering: You know what you call someone who digs up dirt on John McCain? An archeologist.”
The joke originated on Jay Leno’s Tonight Show, but apparently no one is allowed a sense of humor on the campaign trail. It’s not even offensive; I’d bet Senator McCain himself is probably retelling the joke on the Straight Talk express.
Mike Gehrke isn’t laughing now, however. The DNC has removed the comment, and Gehrke got a reprimand for telling a joke.
I’m outraged at the level of outrage this campaign season has wrought. I think we should protest against protesting, and demonstrate against demonstrations. Every apology given by a campaign requires an apology for apologizing.
Or maybe everyone can grow a thicker skin and learn to laugh a little. We still have more than six months to go, folks, and anyone who can’t take a little kidding probably has no place in politics at all.
Blowback
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Funny. You should be a Protest Warrior!
Califemme on April 25, 2008 at 2:29 PM
No kidding … I thought the joke was funny.
darwin on April 25, 2008 at 2:29 PM
Jokes are a distraction from the real issues. Which are hope and change.
NoDonkey on April 25, 2008 at 2:31 PM
The ones talking about him needing Depends or being insane are too crass to be funny, but this one made me chuckle.
Esthier on April 25, 2008 at 2:32 PM
Ed,
You should cruise over to Ace’s site and look at Slublog’s photoshop of Obama’s website heading. Funny stuff.
FIGHT HUMOR WITH HUMOR!
natesnake on April 25, 2008 at 2:32 PM
I’m outraged at your outrage over the level of outrage!
PBoilermaker on April 25, 2008 at 2:33 PM
Common Ed, this campaign is pure puffery compared to the past. Read Jefferson and Adams to get a look at how the first three Presidents went at it.
SeniorD on April 25, 2008 at 2:34 PM
wow, this “pc to the extreme” is really harshing my mellow.
trailortrash on April 25, 2008 at 2:35 PM
?
I just wanted to hear the one about the humorless political bosses.
Coronagold on April 25, 2008 at 2:36 PM
Hey, come on people! Some of my best friends are acheologists and this is just plain wrong. Where is my lawyer’s number anyway?
Limerick on April 25, 2008 at 2:38 PM
I’m tired of the hacks and Socialists who are vying for the Presidency, and of the half-wits and pre-pubescent punks who make up their campaign staffs, party committees, etc.
From Washington, Jefferson and Madison … to Clinton, Bush and [insert hack or Socialist name].
Devolution.
OhEssYouCowboys on April 25, 2008 at 2:38 PM
In the interest of truth in advertising, shouldn’t McCain’s campaign be called the double talk express?
Also. McCain really is really old. That’s about his one selling point as a candidate, and if he picks a great nominee to be VP, I might even support him. Of course, I’d be supporting him hoping that his eventual address would be Arlington in the near future.
Snake307 on April 25, 2008 at 2:39 PM
The DNC is atwitter with bs twittering.
The aves continue to twitter, happily.
Nature is fine.
John McCain laughs it off, and walks away the winner, compliments of the DNC, again.
Mr. Dean was overheard screaming again, in opposition of the lovely twittering of birds. He’s still mumbling “Damned old bastard, I tried attacking his age, by claiming not to attack it…and we darn sure need those old farts to be with us in November”.
Entelechy on April 25, 2008 at 2:39 PM
The joke is completely appropriate. McCain himself said he is older than dirt. What’s the issue here?
fourstringfuror on April 25, 2008 at 2:39 PM
Political Correctness is the McCarthyism of our day.
DAT60A3 on April 25, 2008 at 2:41 PM
On a more serious note, PC will kill us all, one way or another.
Entelechy on April 25, 2008 at 2:41 PM
Absolutely, people need to chill out.
On the other hand, this is the most serious election we have seen in a long time and so much is at stake.
The country has two completely different directions to go based on who is elected.
Grafted on April 25, 2008 at 2:42 PM
Ha!
What do you call someone who digs up dirt on Hillary?
That’s not funny!
What do you call someone who digs up dirt on Obama?
That’s not funny, either, you redneck, neo-con, racist, misogynist bastard!
Um… Chimpy McHiterbu$H?
HAHAHAHA! That kills us every time!
Nethicus on April 25, 2008 at 2:43 PM
.
sweet.
.
subbottomfeeder on April 25, 2008 at 2:43 PM
I’m outraged at your outrage over the level of outrage!
PBoilermaker on April 25, 2008 at 2:33 PM
That’s outrageous.
TABoLK on April 25, 2008 at 2:43 PM
Is it that McCain is older than dirt, or do they wish him harm, i.e. a dirt nap?
Chakra Hammer on April 25, 2008 at 2:44 PM
What a bunch of little Nancy boys. “No,no, no, we can’t tell jokes about age. Or race. Or gender. Or rednecks. Well…rednecks, I suppose.
But only in private.”
Sefton on April 25, 2008 at 2:45 PM
The problem for Dems is how to protect Obama from any kind of criticism, both because he can’t handle it and because he doesn’t have any accomplishments to counter it with. Their only defense is to make all kinds of criticism, whether PC or not, to be off the table for this election.
pedestrian on April 25, 2008 at 2:45 PM
misogynist??? Anyone know where I can get a misogynist?
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on April 25, 2008 at 2:46 PM
archeologist study dead stuff.. McCain is still alive as far as i can tell.. :|
Chakra Hammer on April 25, 2008 at 2:47 PM
I heard that when they were comparing Obama’s speech on race to Lincoln, McCain said, “I knew Lincoln. I worked with Lincoln. And you sir, are no Lincoln.”
Sefton on April 25, 2008 at 2:47 PM
Did anyone have to apologize to Bush for making these jokes? No.
Did MoveOn PAC suffer any consequences whatsoever when they included two videos that compared Bush to Hitler? No. They went on to place a full page ad in the New York Times at a discounted rate on the day that we was testifying to congress that accused a general in the US Army of lying and betraying America.
I won’t shed any tear about some democrat who has hurt feelings that a lame joke about McCain gets a writeup in blog pages on a friday afternoon.
And I really have a hard time understanding why other conservatives feel required to jump to the democrat’s defense when they can just ignore it and move on.
wise_man on April 25, 2008 at 2:49 PM
Exactly. Let’s have some fun telling jokes. I’ll start:
Obama and Osama, overheard in a cave …
Niko on April 25, 2008 at 2:50 PM
Hey, Niko, who was saying what, to whom?
Entelechy on April 25, 2008 at 2:57 PM
Also, Niko, can dead people talk?
Entelechy on April 25, 2008 at 2:57 PM
The nervousness is maybe not about the joke itself. Usually it’s all about the joke’s spin potential, when taken out of context and presented to one of precious major voting blocks.
One of the rules of modern politics is: If it can be twisted and spun back on you, it will be twisted and spun back on you.
RBMN on April 25, 2008 at 2:58 PM
…except McCarthy rendered a valuable, patriotic service to his country by exposing countless communist spies, sympathizers, and useless idiots.
Thus, I’m outraaaaaged!
urbancenturion on April 25, 2008 at 2:59 PM
Entelechy, thanks for the reply/explanation in the headlines thread. Just sent my reply to you over there if you’re interested.
Zetterson on April 25, 2008 at 3:00 PM
PC is about to kill me, so I’m going to have to format it.
Attila (Pillage Idiot) on April 25, 2008 at 3:01 PM
That was good. I’m gonna have to steal that one.
It was moronic for him to be reprimanded over this joke, however, people who don’t work for campaigns or political parties don’t have to fear this sort of censorship. RBMN makes a great point above about this being a strategic choice rather than an emotional one.
joewm315 on April 25, 2008 at 3:01 PM
At least she didn’t say paleontologist.
Oh no…banned from HA…
right2bright on April 25, 2008 at 3:02 PM
I just want to know ONE THING…
Who’s the pretty redhead in the article image wagging her finger at me and telling me what a naughty boy I am?
:P
wearyman on April 25, 2008 at 3:02 PM
Now take Obama….please…
Banned again!!
right2bright on April 25, 2008 at 3:04 PM
Democrat Jay Leno told that joke the other night.
llano on April 25, 2008 at 3:05 PM
Well, if you do a google image search for ‘scold,’ you’ll find her on page one, third row, third from the left, wearyman.
wise_man on April 25, 2008 at 3:06 PM
Obama is so young, and wealthy, he is still being Pampered…banned again
right2bright on April 25, 2008 at 3:11 PM
Heh. Google image search destroys Beta Male fantasies again.
wearyman on April 25, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Since you all don’t want to have a serious discussion about humor……
Winners
Limerick on April 25, 2008 at 3:15 PM
That’s outrageous!!!!
Hening on April 25, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Chris Wallace: Who was that lady I say you with on T.V. the other night?
Obama: That was no lady. That was my Democratic opponent!
Q: Why did the chicken cross the road?
A: To avoid another debate with Hillary.
Q: Why do firemen wear red suspenders?
A: They’re bitter.
Make me stop! I’m outraging myself!
jl on April 25, 2008 at 3:15 PM
Let’s not forget that side splitting and fabulously clever joke, General Betrayus.
But seriously ladies and germs, did I tell you the one about the cannibal that passed a Democrat in the woods?
pistolero on April 25, 2008 at 3:17 PM
How about McCain commenting that mastodon tastes just like chicken?
We need to ask Leno that same question in ten years when he is about McCain’s age now.
Hening on April 25, 2008 at 3:17 PM
Who’s the finger-wagger in the picture?
WasatchMan on April 25, 2008 at 3:18 PM
Was that cannibal Catholic?
wise_man on April 25, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Apparently she’s “google image search girl”. See wise_man’s comment here.
wearyman on April 25, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Was he doing what bears do?
Limerick on April 25, 2008 at 3:20 PM
Hillary:
How many Americans does it take to change a light bulb?
A village full.
Obama:
How many Americans does it take to change a light bulb?
It’s not so much about the light bulb as the change, which every American is hoping for.
McCain:
How many Americans does is take to change a light bulb?
None. Americans are too lazy to change a light bulb which is why we need millions of illegal aliens.
pistolero on April 25, 2008 at 3:21 PM
That’s the problem with Obama, Entelechy. He doesn’t even inspire any jokes.
But this one is good:
Niko on April 25, 2008 at 3:22 PM
At least he didn’t say paleontologist. FFS LOL how dumb.
upinak on April 25, 2008 at 3:24 PM
I did say pass, didn’t I? You know, Democrats taste like chicken too.
pistolero on April 25, 2008 at 3:25 PM
Really? Niko, what was your bowling score again?
pistolero on April 25, 2008 at 3:26 PM
better one, got it last night…
Please excuse if you think it was wrong… but it was funny.
upinak on April 25, 2008 at 3:28 PM
Heh. That reminds me of a Rat-Pack comedy bit:
During one of their comedy musical medley numbers, Dean Martin sings “Have you ever seen a Jew-jitsu?” and Sammy Davis Jr. comes on and says “Hey! Fair is fair. You don’t see me coming up here singing ‘Have you ever seen a Wop-sicle?’” At which point the audience roars with laughter seeing DM get his comeuppance. From the “Ultimate Rat Pack Collection: Live and Swingin’”
Great CD, I highly recommend it.
wearyman on April 25, 2008 at 3:30 PM
Obama: Osama, people keep calling me by your name. What should I do about it?
Osama: Well, you won’t have to worry about that anymore. We’re going to kill you for being an apostate.
Obama: I hope you change your mind.
Osama: Sorry, infidel.
Well, the terrorists thought it was funny…
db on April 25, 2008 at 3:30 PM
HAHAHAHAHAHA, that was awesome :thumbsup:
trailortrash on April 25, 2008 at 3:31 PM
If they joke on McCain because of his age, that just tells me it’s because they really can’t find anything else to pick on him about…except his teeth and they’ve already done that.
scalleywag on April 25, 2008 at 3:38 PM
Yes they have.
This reminds of when the news about George H W Bush was in full coverage about how he didn’t like broccoli, and that he wouldn’t eat his broccoli and parent’s groups were scolding (get it, “scolding?” har har har har) … ah, scolding him that it was setting a bad example to the youth of America that the president didn’t eat his broccoli ….
Because that was the only thing in the news to ‘pick on’ Bush about.
wise_man on April 25, 2008 at 3:57 PM
When Bush 41 came out against broccoli it was a liberating moment for me. I was no longer alone in my spite for that (in the words of Newman) ‘Vile Weed’.
pistolero on April 25, 2008 at 4:11 PM
Some people can’t take a joke…..Next it will be cartoons…wait….uh….never mind
b4lucy on April 25, 2008 at 4:14 PM
A Modest Proposal: Let both parties tell jokes, just not run them.
Dr. Charles G. Waugh on April 25, 2008 at 4:16 PM
From the vile weed of Broccoli to the enlightened green flower that is Arugula,
we’ve come a long way, baby!
wise_man on April 25, 2008 at 4:20 PM
I’m not mad as hell, and I’m willing to take it some more?
JackOfClubs on April 25, 2008 at 4:20 PM
Or, more to the point:
I’m tired as hell, and I’m not really listening anymore…
JackOfClubs on April 25, 2008 at 4:21 PM
I guess it’s just plain wrong to thread jack this serious thread to discuss digusting vegetables and the vegetables that eat them.
pistolero on April 25, 2008 at 4:32 PM
I’m sorry.
wise_man on April 25, 2008 at 4:45 PM
You should be.
easy on April 25, 2008 at 4:54 PM
“In the interests of tolerance, let us refuse to tolerate the intolerant.” -author unknown
So, is this a PC vs. Mac thing?
Noocyte on April 25, 2008 at 5:25 PM
Dear Zetterson, thank you for the sad, but realistic note. For this generation there is not abosolut need for desperation. However, to most all your questions, sadly, here’s what I think – Rome did not go under in one year, but in hundreds, while it continued to blissfully party, literally, and otherwise. That’s the slow path I think we’re on.
And, we lack strong world leaders, and we are the socialist whores, the ones who want the easy path. Is it too late? Perhaps not, but we won’t do/sacrifice what is necessary to redirect.
By itself it won’t happen and we’re slowly but surely sliding toward a form of socialistic Capitalism, which of course will ruin life as we know it here, and better the rest of the world’s by a tad.
It’s exactly what the elites wish to happen. There simply are more Pauls than Peters, the latter being fooled by teachers, professors, the media, lack of parental guidance. Children are/will be brought up by schools, and this is the result. Reminds me sadly of the days we were forced to wear red cravats in school…Sad, very sad.
Entelechy on April 25, 2008 at 5:38 PM
Anyone who never learned:
“Sticks and Stones may hurt my bones,
but Words will never harm me!”
…should be automatically disqualified from all public offices.
Come to think of it, as a stockholder I wouldn’t want any of these people in management of a corporation or any private enterprise, either.
Grow up, people!!!
landlines on April 25, 2008 at 6:17 PM
(from an undisclosed location)
So, a socialist, a liberal, an antisemite, a racist and a Democrat went into a bar…
The hostess looked up and said, “Table for one, Mr. Obama?”
heldmyw on April 25, 2008 at 9:30 PM
Poor cannibal. He must have been pretty hungry.
fourstringfuror on April 25, 2008 at 11:52 PM
This is no time for joking.
There are 400 million Americans living beneath the poverty line,
There are 2.5 billion Americans without health coverage,
Darth Cheney is still on the prowl.
Haliburton has outsourced our economy to North Korea.
The polar ice caps have been microwaved by Karl Rove
Basically we are about to live through all the worst bits of the bible unless we Change. Yes We Can.
/ Daily Kos “Diarist”
Ares on April 26, 2008 at 4:50 AM
Now the Daily Kos has Obama as Noah?
Wow.
unclesmrgol on April 27, 2008 at 1:32 AM
The “worst bits” of the Bible are still to come my friend. If libs would bother to check out the ending, though, they’d find that things turn out all right.
BTW Noah’s job wasn’t to warn anybody, just to survive.
Mojave Mark on April 27, 2008 at 11:07 AM