Politico: McCain's humor often backfires (mentions the ape rape, Chelsea Clinton/Janet Reno"jokes")

[Pirate Smile]

McCain's humor often backfires
By BEN SMITH | 7/17/08 4:34 AM EST

Ever hear that joke about waterboarding? How about the one about killing Iranians? And why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly?

If you aren't familiar with those witty japes, then you've missed out on John McCain's lighter side. Rooted in a time before there was political correctness, and before there was the South Park backlash against political correctness, McCain's wisecracking persona is cutting at times, self-deprecating at others, and always amused by the political process swirling around him. Even in his pursuit of the White House, the candidate has - sometimes to the dismay of his handlers - managed to keep his sense of humor.

As he campaigns through the densest media thicket in American history, it's become clear that McCain hasn't acquired the layer of polish that produced, for instance, Ronald Reagan's gentle, oft-repeated jokes and Bill Clinton's colorful, folksy yarns.

McCain's humor, by contrast, makes him the political counterpart of the radio host Don Imus (whom he has defended): It's sharp, unrehearsed, and at times, way, way over the line. This cycle, he's drawn winces, and worse, for everything from a joking reference to domestic violence to a now-notorious little ditty about bombing Iran. Earlier in his political career, the Arizona press reported that he'd cracked a rape joke that would now probably end any politician's career, a joke his aides then and now say he doesn't recall making.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0708/11823.html

The article states the ape rape, Chelsea Clinton jokes among others.

The cable news channels site Politico stories all the time in their discussions.

We'll see if this article will prompt them to raise this issue and elevate the exposure of these "jokes" to a larger audience.

[Demit]

1. McCain is a sick man. This humor makes him 'authentic'? Then he is authentically sick.

Apparently his humor appeals to the male faction of this country which bemoans the fact you can't tell jokes about beating women to the point of death anymore. Darn that political correctness! Jokes like this are funny!!

Sick, sick, sick.

[zbdent]

2. but get into a talk on religion and mention a "burning bush"

and your ass gets hauled in front of an NSA agent ... division six ...

[nc4bo]

3. Why is politico tearing down their candidate?

I guess that's why msm keeps asking why Obama doesn't have a sense of humor - so they can tear him down as not being a serious enough candidate, eh?

[rox63]

4. I wonder what the PUMA-bots think of McCain's "sense of humor"

After all, they are planning on voting for him, aren't they? Do they admire his "ape-rape" joke? Do they excuse his "Chelsea is ugly" comments? Do they forgive McCain for these transgressions, since he's the only thing standing between them and President Obama?

:sarcasm: