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Obama and McCain Yuk it Up at Al Smith Dinner
October 16, 2008 11:09 PM
"It is an honor to be here with Al Smith," said Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., speaking at the 63rd annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner to benefit Catholic charities. "I obviously never knew your great-grandfather, but from everything that Sen. McCain has told me, the two of them had a great time together before prohibition. So, wonderful stories."
So began Obama's comedy monologue, which included a few good yuks, as did McCain's.
McCain, the schtickier (and arguably, funnier) of the two candidates, spoke first at the dinner packed with V.I.P.s that is traditionally the last side-by-side appearance of the two presidential candidates, as well as an opportunity for them to poke fun at each other and themselves.
The roast, which raised $3.9 million to help underprivileged children, is dedicated to the memory of former Democratic New York Gov. Al Smith, the first Catholic to win the presidential nomination of a major political party, who lost to Republican Herbert Hoover in 1928, 444 electoral votes to 87.
"I can't shake that feeling that some people here are pulling for me," McCain said, turning to the far side of the stage. "I'm delighted to see you here tonight, Hillary."
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., and all others in the crowd, guffawed.
McCain added that Clinton’s husband, former President Bill Clinton, "has been hammering away with me with epithets like ‘hero.’”
McCain said that his rival was not fazed by being called "That one," during the second presidential debate. "He doesn't mind at all,” McCain said. “In fact, he even has a pet name for me: George Bush.”
In a sign of just how much the media-McCain relationship has turned, the Arizonan stated that “the press is really an independent-minded, civic-minded, non-partisan group, like ACORN."
"It's going to be a long, long night at MSNBC if I manage to pull this thing off,” McCain said. “I understand that Keith Olbermann has ordered up his very own ‘Mission Accomplished’ banner. They can hang it up in his padded room."
McCain introduced Obama, who, at one point joked that he was confused.
"I was originally told the venue would be Yankee Stadium,” he said. “Can somebody tell me what happened to the Greek columns that I requested?"
Obama said the venue was fine, though.
"I do love the Waldorf Astoria," Obama said. “I hear from the doorstep you can see all the way to the Russian Tea Room." It prompted much laughter from McCain.
Then Obama turned to the question McCain had been asking as of late: Who is the real Barack Obama?
“Contrary to the rumors you have heard, I was not born in a manger,” Obama said. “I was actually born on Krypton and sent here by my father Jor-El to save the planet Earth.”
Regarding his name, Obama said that “Barack is actually Swahili for ‘that one.’ And I got my middle name from somebody who obviously didn't think I’d ever run for president.”
Said the Democrat, “If I had to name my greatest strength, I guess it would be my humility. Greatest weakness, it's possible that I’m a little too awesome.”
Obama took on another McCain criticism: the attack, earlier this election season, that he’s nothing more than a celebrity.
“I have to admit that that really hurt,” Obama said. “I got so angry about it I punched the paparazzi in the face on my way out of Spago's. I’m serious. I even spilled my soy chai latte all over my shih tzu. It was really embarrassing.”
“One other thing,” Obama added, “I have never, not once, put lipstick on a pig or a pit bull or myself. Rudy Giuliani, that's one for you. I mean -- who would have thought that a cross-dressing mayor from New York City would have a tough time winning the Republican nomination? It’s shocking. That was a tough primary you had there, John.”
He added that “some of the rumors out there are getting a bit crazy. I mean, Rupert the other day, Fox News actually accused me of fathering two African-American children in wedlock.”
He added that “at one of these campaign rallies, someone in the crowd started yelling, ‘No-bama,’ announcing to everyone in the room that I shouldn't be the Democratic nominee because there were far more qualified candidates. I really wish Joe Biden hadn't done that.”
- jpt
October 16, 2008 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (145)
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Honestly, who cares who did better. I want a president who KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE doing, not someone who is going to be the first Presidential Comedian.
Posted by: Jake | Oct 20, 2008 7:42:34 PM
Why is the audio and picture on McCain's speech much much worse than Obama's?
Posted by: Jon Dawson | Oct 20, 2008 12:15:30 PM
McCain fans: if every Republican gives $10 tomorrow (x 40 million Republicans) he can run for President forever and give the left overs to Palin who can then run in the next 10 elections. Did you know you can give as much as $2,300/per person? Put your money where your mouth is.
Posted by: Liz | Oct 19, 2008 9:38:57 PM
I respect McCain however, give it up folks, you know who is the best man.
Posted by: Obama State, Los Angeles | Oct 18, 2008 11:20:57 PM
It is a shame that in 2008 there still this much hatred in America. God made all of us in all these colors for a reason ( like in his own image). May the best candidate win on Nov. 4th for being the right man for the job, not because he is the right color or the right gender, but because he has the right agenda for the american people. OBAMA 08!
Posted by: Carla | Oct 18, 2008 10:21:12 PM
Wake up America Obama paid a million or more dollars to defraud and steal your vote. Acorn is hand in hand with Obama and the DNC. Stop and think. If Obama can steal your votes and win a super majority with the house and senate he becomes a Marxist socialist dictator of the USA. Do not doubt it. Just look at his Marxist anti American followers thru the years. From Ayers Farrakhan Wright Acorn and 200 million plus unreported dollars from the Middle East. Why would Middle Eastern terrorist want to pay 200 million dollars for OBAMA TO RULE THIS COUNTRY? WAKE UP OR YOU WILL LOSE THE MOST PRECIOUS GIFT OF YOUR ALIENABLE RIGHT OF FREEDOM.
LOOK AT CHAVEZ IN VENEZULA SAME SOCIALIST POISON. PROMISE THE SUCKERS EVERYTHING THEN STRIP THEM INTO SLAVERY
Posted by: jammin | Oct 18, 2008 5:52:39 PM
Very Funny. Seriously, do some of you really think they are both so witty? Wake up!
Thank you to the WRITERS for such great entertainment.
Posted by: jrhs | Oct 18, 2008 11:28:12 AM
I'm glad to know that they have a little sence of hummor, since the rest of the country is shacking in their boots.
Posted by: ljordan | Oct 18, 2008 11:24:01 AM
What a get show...Despite the man in the back chewing and licking his fingers was distracting during McCain's presentation, but was attentive and applauded BO!
McCain was terrific, genuine with what a wonderful sense of humor. He had me(and Hilary) laughing and cheering out loud. Great Zingers! I especially liked it when he hit on the Liberal media that has so run down him and Palin down. You can tell too, That this page and the videos were done by "them". OB was first with a good close up, lighting and sound. Unlike McCain's video which had cameras pulled way away and much clamor in the background. Unlike what was on TV.
Mr. McCain concluded with a very touching tribute to Obama and his heritage. Where as, Mr "Cool"...Was just that COLD , Scary and Not really funny. He only mentioned briefly the great war hero's attributes. NOBAMA!
Posted by: Dyan | Oct 18, 2008 4:40:48 AM
I personally don't think Obama roasted McCain. It was like trying to watch Frankenstein sing kareoke to some britney spears song. It just didnt work out too well at the begenning.
If you watch it again in a different light, you can see him saying one of his jokes and than looking around with begging eyes, just asking people to have the heart and laugh :-D
Bravo Barack ... atleast we know if you don't make president, you will have a job lined up on comedy central, either that or the sci-fi channel when they remake the munsters.
Posted by: Tyler | Oct 18, 2008 2:55:56 AM
yea right these guys have the nerve to laugh at us like we're stupid enough to put them in power.
well they can't laugh at them because I'm not voting 4 either of their *****.
Posted by: zeek_zx | Oct 18, 2008 2:42:57 AM
As soon as I hit "post," a thought popped into my mind-- Obama should maybe take a page from his advice to Joe the Plumber. Let's see how Obama would like it if we said, "Hey, you have a lot more campaign money than McCain does. We want it to be fair to everyone, so we're going to spread the wealth. Let's take some of your money and give it to McCain. Sharing is a good thing and since your coffers are full, surely you won't mind."
Posted by: moderate | Oct 17, 2008 9:28:10 PM
Stay classy, Miko. Making fun of the appearance of a man whose face is scarred because of cancer treatments is pretty low. And you think HE is the freak?
John McCain is a class act, and I found his speech at the banquet hilarious. I wish people had more opportunities to see his lighter side like this.
And to the poster who suggested that Obama was uncomfortable about the lavish spending on the event, because he has the common touch-- hah! If he were concerned about wasteful spending in a time of financial crisis, he would not have opted out of the public financing system, breaking the pledge to take the financing that he had made. Another supporter chimed in that Obama is just spending the money his supporters gave him to spend-- yeah, and so much of it comes from questionable sources, hidden under phony names and multiple small donations from single sources. By the time anyone can get to the bottom of where this money actually came from and whether it conforms with campaign finance law, the election will be over and done-- the massive ad buys paid for, the financial advantage exploited to the max. I do not want anyone to be able to buy the office of president. I sincerely wish Obama had taken public financing and kept the playing field level.
Posted by: moderate | Oct 17, 2008 9:25:55 PM
Watching these two candidates makes me happy and proud that we live in a free country where this kind of interchange can happen. McCain is funnier and seems more genuine. Obama seemed uncomfortable.
Sad to see comments about fear-mongering, hateful Republicans...I have seen fear mongering and hate on both sides.
I consider myself to be an independent. This time around I will be voting Republican. I feel that Obama is actually more liberal than we know....smooth and eloquent, but scary.
McCain/Palin is the best choice for me.
Posted by: mary jo | Oct 17, 2008 7:49:57 PM
I had the very best time seeing these two guys as their normal selves. Anyone who wants to attack them on this basis has serious anger issues themselves and shouldn't be pointing fingers or throwing stones at ANYONE. This was a GREAT NIGHT and GREAT HUMOR on both men's parts. Please allow yourselves to ENJOY life and quit taking yourselves so seriously! Liven Up!!
Posted by: J-man | Oct 17, 2008 7:15:12 PM
You should be ashamed with the unequal quality of the two vidios.
Posted by: CJH | Oct 17, 2008 6:54:53 PM
What horrible reprensibly offensive thing did McCain say about MSNBC's counter-downer Keith Olbermann?
Heard Rachel Maddow reference it last night and saw ad for Countdown plugging a response to it. But haven't seen or heard "it" ... was either edited out of the online replay that I saw or was so subtle I overlooked it.
Waiting to find out if Mr Olbermann is one of those 'dish it out but cant take it' types ... considering some of the 'attention' his program has directed at John McCain, Sarah Palin, and their campaign, anything McCain would have said in front of the Cardinal probably didnt match some of the Olbermann rants.
Posted by: OneObservation | Oct 17, 2008 5:54:53 PM
Oops! I meant young(and proud) republican. Sorry Hilary!
Posted by: TROC | Oct 17, 2008 5:39:52 PM
First of all Hillary (the commenter) Jesus was a Jew. Christianity was founded a few years after Jesus died, as a form of JUDAISM! Oh noes! You're a Jew! Better go baptize yourself again. Second of all, there weren't republicans or democrats, there weren't even republicans until 1860. Third of all, democrats are better.
Posted by: TROC | Oct 17, 2008 5:37:48 PM
Obama has tough time with humor ??? hmmm his jokes were so lame!
Posted by: frieda | Oct 17, 2008 5:17:26 PM
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