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News & ArtsThursday, October 18, 2012
2012 Here's Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, Yukkin' It Up at the Al Smith Dinner
Posted by Paul Constant on Thu, Oct 18, 2012 at 11:56 PM
In one of the weirder political traditions, both presidential candidates usually perform a ten-minute stand-up comedy routine at the Alfred E. Smith Foundation dinner in New York City. It's part roast, part self-deprecating comic monologue, and pretty much awkward all the way through. Tonight's dinner was no different.
Here's Mitt Romney's speech:
And here's President Obama's speech:
1
Awkward indeed, first time I felt sympathy for both of them. But Obama did deliver his lines better at least.
2
Maybe I just don't like Romney at all, but the President was much better. "I wish I could use my middle name..." was gold. Romney's "zingers" seemed much more hackneyed.
5
Some of Romney's lines were good, like "nice to wear what we wear around the house", and the Big Bird line. But some of them were ridiculous, like the one about how he has laid out a positive vision for the future, but that danged press won't tell anyone about it! Yeah, it's the PRESS that's not letting people know what your plans are....
6
I wonder if the campaigns have an agreement that no footage from that dinner is to be used in ads... but how would they make the same stick for the notionally separate 'outside' groups?
I mean, if a campaign could tell the issue ad funders what not to do, that would be coördination, and the whole distinction an absurd legal fiction designed to raise money and avoid responsibility (and that's limited liability's job, no fair!) ....
I mean, if a campaign could tell the issue ad funders what not to do, that would be coördination, and the whole distinction an absurd legal fiction designed to raise money and avoid responsibility (and that's limited liability's job, no fair!) ....
7
Romney KILLED them.
We can tell because the tightass sourpusses on MSNBC are clucking disapprovingly about how many jokes about the other candidate each one told....
We can tell because the tightass sourpusses on MSNBC are clucking disapprovingly about how many jokes about the other candidate each one told....
9
I think the best joke was Romney's "what we wear around the house". Good self-deprecation. He also had some of the worst ones, that made the audience groan.
Not Obama's best work. I've seen him be a lot funnier, but he certainly didn't bomb.
I'm fine with this sort of event. Much of campaigning is theater anyway, this is just more overt.
Not Obama's best work. I've seen him be a lot funnier, but he certainly didn't bomb.
I'm fine with this sort of event. Much of campaigning is theater anyway, this is just more overt.
10
Most people reading this don't even know who Al Smith was without having to google him. And for anyone who values our liberal traditions in this country that is pretty fucking sad.
11
@10 Yes, we are bad citizens for not knowing about a New York governor that died 70 years ago. That tidbit of info truly separates smart people like you from the rest of us.
13
@10, history's for idiots you asshole. We're ALL conservatives now! The New Deal is DEAD!! And Clinton, Bush and Obama helped to kill it!
15
In so far as these things are usually about performing against expectations, I am afraid Mitt may have "won" this.
The president did a solid job, but nothing we wouldn't expect having seen him at these things before. The governor, on the other hand, actually seemed self aware and self-deprecating, in fact, even human.
Still, we did not know how amazingly devastating the "These are the types of decisions that would keep me up at night." joke was until that later press conference, so I reserve the right to reevaluate this in a few days.
The president did a solid job, but nothing we wouldn't expect having seen him at these things before. The governor, on the other hand, actually seemed self aware and self-deprecating, in fact, even human.
Still, we did not know how amazingly devastating the "These are the types of decisions that would keep me up at night." joke was until that later press conference, so I reserve the right to reevaluate this in a few days.
17
I think what matters is that we can figure out who Al stupid-ass Smith is in about 10 seconds flat now-a-days, if anyone cares. Nothing sad about that really, except some people Pride themselves on their ability to retain useless information for long periods of time I guess. Congrats dude.
18
These jokes were written for them. They simp[ly delivered them. Obama delivered them with naturally good timing and panache; Romney delivered them with his usual nervous stiffness.
19
Here's the transcript of JFK's classy speech at the same dinner 52 years ago:
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.…
http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.…
20
It's sad that people don't know who wrote the declaration of independence. It's sad that people can't name the vice president. It's sad that people don't know the bill of rights.
It is not sad that most people don't know what Al Smith did.
Your original post was overwrought and silly.
It is not sad that most people don't know what Al Smith did.
Your original post was overwrought and silly.
21
@20, as govenor of New York in the 20's he fought for adequate housing, improved factory laws, proper care of the mentally iss, child welfare and state parks. And this was in a time when there was not only little in terms of federal advocacy of such programs but there was little on the state level.
You know, it's sad that you don't care about such people who are part of our history but I suppose if it's not talked about on the TV it isn't important. And given most people who are "progressive" or "liberal" these days are nearly as willing to cut the same programs Smith pushed for before FDR was a player in politics I suppose I can understand why you DON'T want to know anything about him
You know, it's sad that you don't care about such people who are part of our history but I suppose if it's not talked about on the TV it isn't important. And given most people who are "progressive" or "liberal" these days are nearly as willing to cut the same programs Smith pushed for before FDR was a player in politics I suppose I can understand why you DON'T want to know anything about him
22
Yeah, I read the wikipedia entry, thanks. I think my issue was that you just came across as overly smug and self satisfied. Your last post confirms my original impression.
Now I'm off to watch some tv and durp durp durp.
Now I'm off to watch some tv and durp durp durp.
24
@Rotten666, I suppose you did look it up (good for you, I made you educate yourself) but I already knew that without looking it up. And why do you single me out for attack? It seems you have some issues that need worked out
So let's meet and talk it out. I'd suggest someplace public this weekend here in Seattle. Let me know when and where and I'll be there.
So let's meet and talk it out. I'd suggest someplace public this weekend here in Seattle. Let me know when and where and I'll be there.
25
Look, I'm sure your a perfectly fine fellow, but I'll pass on the public meeting. I just thought your original comment was silly.
Whenever someone laments the fact that the population at large doesn't know the significance of X (x = something fairly esoteric), it sounds to me self serving. That's what I was responding to. It just bugs me when people do that.
I apologize if I have come off as too aggressive, but the nature of anonymous commenting, etc., etc.
Whenever someone laments the fact that the population at large doesn't know the significance of X (x = something fairly esoteric), it sounds to me self serving. That's what I was responding to. It just bugs me when people do that.
I apologize if I have come off as too aggressive, but the nature of anonymous commenting, etc., etc.
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