Reasons why Obama's Comedic Dinner Performance was pitch perfect, not Knee Slapping!

[FrenchieCat]

1. There is an upcoming election and so trying too hard for the laugh is not required just yet.

2. Considering the condition of the economy and 750 billion disappearing, Folks out there are none too happy. Obama didn't need to tell knee slapping jokes.

3. Obama is not a comedian, or a clown....and so low key self deprecating humor was appropriate.
For Black folks in particular, that is a caricature that Barack doesn't need to embrace.

4. Obama's repertoire was very funny, and most of his lines memorable. In essence he epitomized a statesmen showing humor, instead of presenting himself as a jockster, which is perhaps the only thing that John McCain is kind of good at.

So I give Barack Steve Obama high marks. He did it just right!

If you haven't seen it yet; be sure to catch it.

[texpatriot2004]

1. He did an excellent job. He was even presidential in that

setting too.

[az chela]

2. Just call him Steve,lol

[DebbieCDC]

3. I am not amused

I don't understand how he can sit there and laugh at McGrumpy make jokes about ACORN when last night McGrumpy accused them of massive voter fraud. I don't think any of this is a laughing matter and I for one am pissed as hell at Obama for going to this and laughing like everything's a BIG joke. Well, you know what? It's NOT a big joke to those of us scraping by and giving $10 or $20 to his campaign. I lost some respect for our candidate tonight. And I also notice Hillary in the audience yukking it up. Disgusting.

[TTUBatfan2008]

4. Heh...

A little news for you. They are politicians. Politicians go to elitist dinners like this. It's part of the system and always will be.

[Danger Mouse]

6. Welcome to reality.

[FrenchieCat]

8. Just proved that it is all a bunch of bullshit....what McCain is spewing

out in the real world. And examplifies why Barack isn't into the Low road campaigning that McCain is into. Who looked worse for the wear, McCain who is palling around with Obama, or Obama who has always kept a civil tone towards McCain?

[EffieBlack]

25. Exactly . . . Obama did not have to switch personas to do this dinner. He remained the same person

he has been throughout the campaign. On the other hand, McCain had to completely switch gears from the whiny, attack-dog "I'm the real American, Obama is a terrorist" persona to the guy in the tux getting along with everyone. It's a pretty jarring contrast and one I think many of his supporters - if they watch this - might be surprised to see.

We've been seeing the real Barack Obama consistently all along. John McCain, not so much. It, in fact, shifts the question McCain has been asking right back to him: "Who is the real John McCain?"

I loved it - I thought Barack was very, very funny and he hit just the right tone and notes.

[ginnyinWI]

43. McSame's fans might be surprised to see the smooth elitist pol

that is the real McCain. Rubbing shoulders with the hoi-poloi. Champagne and caviar set. Yep, that's our guy...wait...

[CitizenPatriot]

28. EXACTLY!

This completely destroyed McCain's meme that Obama was some terrorist. There he is, yukking it up with the elites in his tux....McCain is laughing with him, shaking his hand....It really must have pissed his base off.

As for the setting; this is part of the job. They all go to this event -- and jokes are required. I for one was glad to see our representatives being civil to one another and enjoying the comedy.

That doesn't mean they, or rather our people, are not fighting for us. This is part of the fight. They have to fit in with these folks and get along and frankly, someone who refused to do that probably couldn't get much done.

Obama was GREAT. I thought he was so presidential, funny, self-depreciating and gracious. Oh, Steve, that's right.

[scheming daemons]

10. Wow... you need to settle down... laughter is the best medicine

If you can't laugh at yourself, you'll go crazy.


Obama showed a great ability to laugh at himself tonight.



You need psychiatric help. Seriously.

[Chulanowa]

48. If you can't laugh at yourself, you force others to do it for you

That's how I always looked at it.

[ObamanationYes1]

52. I agree and I thought both of them were "Knee Slapping" funny

Obama ...Housing problems 8 times worse for McCain

McCain....KO in a padded room..I'll tell him exactly where he can put his banner

LAUGHING OUT LOUD!!

[IsItJustMe]

15. Sorry, this is what is required of politicians and statemen. If you paid carefull attention at all,

Obama was very serious about what matters. He has to play the game though. It is what it is.

[TheDonkey]

22. I also am not thrilled that Democrats are yuking it up with rethugs and criminals

but it is nice for Obama to be able to loosen up.

[OwnedByFerrets]

23. I understand what you are saying...I feel the same way to an

extent...I had to turn it over. But, I do understand its what must be done in todays environment to win an election.

[mzmolly]

29. I think it makes a mockery of the charges leveled by the McCain camp.

Also, I didn't see any mention of ACORN? :shrug:

[ObamanationYes1]

54. Watch it again...There was lots on ACORN n/t

[mzmolly]

56. From Obama?

:shrug:

[ObamanationYes1]

58. No, McCain...sorry I thought you meant overall

n/t

[mzmolly]

59. No, I was responding to the post above regarding someone being upset

that Obama took part in "mocking" ACORN etc. :hi:

[ObamanationYes1]

60. My Bad..I should have followed the thread more closely

n/t

[RoadRage]

31. What exactly is it that you'd like to have happen?

Obama attends this event, and to appease YOU - he goes completely against the grain and tone of the event and what.. slams McCain publicly or looks sternly and unamused.

How the FUCK do you think that would play in the MSM tomorrow? Positively? McCain for the first time all campaign actually cracks a genuine smile, and Obama pouts and looks pissy because McCain made a joke. It was a ROAST for gods sake.

If Obama had done what you suggested, he would probably lose a few states.. maybe enough to cost him the election. Is that what you want.. just so you can feel good that your candidate stood up for something at an in-opportune time.

:eyes:

[ourbluenation]

40. Barack is Swahili for That One!

:rofl:

[Doremus]

46. Oh good grief, get a grip. It's called a sense of humor. Some people have them.

I'm tickled pink to see Barack have some fun.

He's quite a wit! I should have known he'd be as talented in delivering comedic lines as he is in everything else. I love this side of him!

[OneGrassRoot]

69. Question: Was it at a previous Alfred E. Smith dinner when Bush...

made his infamous "you are my base" crack?

If so, I need to back off hating THAT particular quote and visual so much. I didn't realize it was from a "roast" type of setting. If it was at a regular dinner, I can continue to allow myself to get infuriated at the mere thought of him saying that. ;)

I thought Obama was DA BOMB!!!!! I haven't watched McCain yet, but he can have a good sense of humor, so I expect him to do well, also.

It was awkward when Obama first began, however. When they'd cut to McCain, he would do his quick 3-second smile, and then -- boom -- back to straight face. So fake. But, later in Obama's speech, McCain seemed to genuinely be laughing. That Cardinal dude was a hoot!

[GalleryGod]

73. INDEED, it was.

McCain? Obviously on drugs,now.
The "Old B-12 Dodge" wink-wink. Heh-heh-heh.:puke: :argh:

[GalleryGod]

72. Grab Some Decaf. It's The Al Smith Dinner, Fa' Crissakes!

Your comments are so far out of left field they are in the "DU Bullpen".

But...the trashing of Senators Obama & Clinton for being "disgusting" 18 daze B4 the General is a Doo-zer.

[grace0418]

74. Barack was able to comment on, skewer and basically deflate almost every idiotic comment

about him floating out there. From his middle name, to the greek columns, to the perception he's the messiah or a rock star and not a serious candidate. Sometimes when things are this ridiculous, all you can do is laugh, and he did a perfect job of showing just how ridiculous all the bullshit it.

[bbgrunt]

5. I was impressed by his insistence on some

serious consideration of the economic mess amid the requirement that the speeches be humorous. Unlike B** who can make jokes about not finding wmd in Iraq, Obama had some humor but finished on an inspiring note.

[Cha]

7. Wow..I can't wait to see

him and only him on youtube.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

9. Kick and rec.

[IsItJustMe]

11. I seen it as fire and ice. He was funny, but in the back of that funny was seriousness. Do you

know what I mean. It is hard to describe.

[FrenchieCat]

16. Yep.......the kind of seriousness that can't be left behind

just because you find yourself in an opulent setting with a bunch of rich powerful people. That's exactly what we want.

[DrPresident]

45. yes as a matter of fact he got sort of depressing near the end LOL

I almost said to him "damn Barack lighten up " LOL

[me b zola]

19. Rather like Stephen Colbert at the WH Press Corespondent's Dinner

Both performances were works of art, blending inconvenient truths with humor. Obama, though, was under much more of a pressure cooker, a mis-step on his part could have been devastating. Again, Obama rose to the occasion and nailed it. Bam!

[Cha]

12. Silly dupe

:silly:

[Cha]

13. Just caught it..Obama looks great in a

tux.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x217058

[grace0418]

75. Hells yeah he does!

:)

[Pirate Smile]

14. I think the serious part at the very end helped make it pitch perfect. It was excellent.

[FrenchieCat]

18. Meanwhile, McCain seems silly to walk around with a campaign

trying to link Barack to Terrorist, meanwhile hugging him and shaking his hand and "palling" around with him.

The irony was delicious.

[Jennicut]

17. I am watching it right now on the poltical videos...Barack made ME laugh

Loved the line about being sent from Krypton, loved Chuck Shumer and the joke about the press, loved seeing Obama in a tux and Hillary looked fantastic in her sparkly suit. McInsane still looked uncomfortable to me.

[FatDave]

20. Barack did great.

Laughed out loud quite a few times. "I never met Alfred E. Smith, but Senator McCain has told me stories." And all the stuff about Yankee Stadium was great.

McCain did a good job, but his material was clearly more partisan and a bit meaner. I liked his closing bit about raising expectations though. I can't stand the fucker, but I gotta admit, that was pretty funny.

[blossomstar]

21. He was funny in a very classy way.

John McCain was even funny in a few of his lines, but didn't come close in comparison to Obama in looking presidential. McCain looked like a very, very old man.

[Uzybone]

24. McCain also made jokes about ACORN

just yesterday they were a great threat to Americans democracy, today they are a punch line. Oh and so is the economy, also a punch line for McCain.

[FrenchieCat]

27. Also, McCain was compeled to remind us that Barack is Black.....

and the injustices of the past...... Such an asshole!

[Pirate Smile]

26. Roger Simon wrote that Obama's "cutaway coat didn’t really fit him. Which is good for a Democrat".

I didn't notice that and was wondering if anyone else did or is Roger just :crazy:


I don't care. It just seemed like an odd line in the article.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14656.html

[FrenchieCat]

30. Means he doesn't own one, it was rented.

Means that Barack doesn't do a lot of cutaway coat affairs....cause he is one of the people. :)

[ginnyinWI]

44. Well he's gonna have to call up his tailor--

to be ready in time for the inaugural ball! I hope to see lots and lots of pictures of Barack and Michelle. They'll be the toast of the town.

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

32. Obama remained dignified while being funny and self deprecating

his tone was perfect. And he looks like a million bucks in white tie.

[Cha]

39. And his ..

Recognizing the poor and bad economic times and reciting scripture..it's important and ever done at those things.

[ailsagirl]

57. A trillion bucks! (allowing for inflation) He looks as relaxed in

casual clothes as he does in white tie-- with wealthy people as well as middle- and lower-income people. With educated people and with uneducated people. He fits in anywhere. There aren't many politicians that can make that claim

:loveya:

[TheCoxwain]

33. I love the way Obama gave it to rudy with that LIPSTICK LINE.... totally destroyed him in 2 seconds

[Uzybone]

37. It was a great line

"tough primary you had there John" lol.

Saying what most of us know, McCain came in 1st in what was a pathetically weak field of GOP candidates.

[HughMoran]

34. Looks great to me

Funny and pointed - I like it.

[Shine]

35. Yup, he aced it.

:applause:

[mscuedawg]

36. I havent laughed like that in a long time...I think it was healthy for them too!!

[HughMoran]

38. The more I watch, the harder I laugh

He's friggin' hilarious!

[FrenchieCat]

42. I thought it was hella funny too!

[Sugarcoated]

47. I think it's way funnier the second time, too

It really tickled my funny bone, laughed heartily.

I'll admit it did bother me to see Barack laughing as hard as he did at McCain, I wished he didn't appear that bowled over, but I knew as soon as he took the mic he'd ace it. Pitch perfect, I agree with the OP. It took the wind out of the "palling around with terrorists" and other such BS.

I also took note of how Obama carried himself, his body language as he sat there, etc. He looked . . . I don't know if I can explain this right, but he looked like he didn't quite fit in. McBaffoon was schmoozing and looked very comfortable in this setting, like a celebrity? Or, more a celebrity wannabe.

This was another win for Obama, no doubt about it. And a very nice touch mentioning Tim Russert at the end.

[HughMoran]

49. I actually missed it the first time

I most enjoyed when he chuckled at some of his own jokes as if he was reading them for the first time. His laugh is so contagious - I want to hear this man speak for the next 4 years.

[Sugarcoated]

62. Watching it a 3rd time

and it's making me laugh even harder, especially ripping Ghouliani a new one. That one had me holding my stomach. His greatest weakness is that he's a little too awesome, LOL, poking fun at himself, again perfect. I also enjoyed that he chuckled at his own jokes, most especially after the Guliani zingers. Too fucking funny. :rofl: My dislike for Guiliani is intense so I completely and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[ClayZ]

41. Here are all four parts McCain and Obama:

John McCain

Pt 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Goaj5V4tZoc

Pt 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mrqoSyKsAPw

Barack Obama

Pt 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXKaAQ-6BiU

Pt 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkBQf4FJi-o

[FrenchieCat]

50. Thank you!

[ahem]

66. Thanks!

[gabby garcia]

51. a class act. ..

as usual.

[democracy1st]

53. K & R

[catlady]

55. He was funny, charming, and delightful...

He certainly comes across as so honest in everything he does! The type of honesty that only shows like that if it is genuine. He is the real thing and why 100% of the nation doesn't see it is totally beyond me. What a gentleman!

[Princess Turandot]

61. He did great!

(And he looked rather fine!) I liked his gentle digs at almost everyone. Bloomberg taking the subway from his multi-million dollar town house to City Hall. (However, he motorcades it the few blocks to the subway.) Schumer's love of the camera. Lipstick on everything.

And, his serious ending was heartfelt and perfect. (The only thing that I would have added was a reference to community activist work by NYC Catholics :) )

I've actually attended this dinner a few times in the past because of work connections. I was there in 2001 when Darth Cheney was the guest: it was his first public emergence from the Undisclosed Location. The bastard actually managed to sound vaguely human: he must have been hypnotized. One thing that I recall is that several of the NY pols got a bigger hand than he did. (They introduce the more important guests sitting on the stage dais as they take their seats.)

What was the Russian Tea Room a reference to, if to anything specific? I wasn't sure if it was from a crack that someone made about Obama?

[magdalena]

67. Russian Tea Room is a very exclusive NYC restaurant. n/t

[StatGirl]

78. "Russian Tea Room" was a Palin joke

It was a riff on her saying that she knows all about Russia because you can see it from parts of Alaska.

[steve2470]

63. Thanks Barack, I'm honored my first name is now your middle name :p nt

[Imagevision]

64. This innaugauration should be fantastic, party like it's 20-09...

[shellgame26]

65. "Im told that from the doorstep of the Waldorf

you can see the Russian Tea room". That was a killer. Anyone who's lived in NYC will really dig this joke.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

70. That was a great line!

[liberalla]

68. He was GREAT!

He had me laughing out loud and hitting the arms of my chair more than once.

[Vinca]

71. I thought the way he wrapped it up was great. What a contrast.

Obama civil and complementary while McCain and his minions are sending out nasty robocalls. That won't be lost on those who pay attention.

[Alter Ego]

76. "My biggest weakness is perhaps that I'm just too awesome."

That had me in tears. That and the bit about him being born on Krypton and being sent to Earth by his father Jor-El.

[ecstatic]

77. I think the people who thought McCain was funny are probably older

Generation gap, etc