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Politicians as jokesters, the sequel
Former presidential candidate John Kerry got into a little hot water while addressing a group of students when he told them that students who don’t study hard and do their homework would likely “get stuck in Iraq.”
After letting the controversy swell and throb for 24 hours or so, he finally explained why he made the crack, saying it was a “botched joke.”
Speaking as people who have botched many jokes, we say: We know botched jokes; and that was no botched joke. We are professional joke botchers, so we know a statement that starts out as a joke and turns horribly wrong when we see one. After listening to the recordings, we are prepared to say that the “botched joke” defense doesn’t wash.
In the past, we’ve advised against politicians trying levity, when we autopsied Joe Biden’s clumsy attempt at ball-busting. That was obviously a feeble stab at making a joke. Biden was mimicking any one of a number of comedians he may have seen and he tried (after the fact) to sell the gag with a bit of mugging. In the Kerry incident, there was not even a thin framework for a joke.
If Kerry had even the slightest reputation as a jokester, the botched joke defense might have worked. As it is, it was too little too late. Attention to all politicians: Humor can rocket you into office or it can cut you off at the knees. Use with caution!
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So you think Kerry actually decided to just insult soliders in Iraq? A week before a national election, no less? Does that really make any sense to you at all?
Sarcastic response: Gee, you’re right, TimmyMac! Politicians never say anything stupid. And they’re particularly circumspect in the week leading up to the elections!Nonsarcastic response:Well…yeah! Mr. Kerry may be “smart,” but he is tone deaf when it comes to politics… and humor. (His performance leading up to the ’04 election was a cross between Fred Munster and Mr. Howell! A cheesesteak with Provolone? Yipe!)This has nothing to do with ideology and everything to do with electioneering– which Mr. Kerry is very bad at.He’s trying to cover up a mistake by blaming it on a joke… as comics we’re offended!!!Leave it to the pros, Jon!Also: Kerry, like so many other politicians of all parties, seems to be painfully unaware of the “new media” (which, by the way, is not so new any more!)– They seem to have no idea of how far and how fast their words can travel these days. The internet– with an assist from radio– pushed the quote into a greater awareness, with little initial help from the MSM. It might make one wonder how many insults, outrageous comments, etc. were made in the weeks leading up to past elections that never made it into the mainstream.YouTube is changing the way folks get their campaign info– ask George Allen!
Sorry, but if you see video of the incident, it seems obvious that Kerry’s trying to tell a joke. He stops halfway through and looks down at his notes. He’s a horrible joke teller, but I do believe it was a joke. The worst part is that I didn’t know what he was trying to say, even after he explained it. I was driving down the road when it suddenly hit me, “Oh, he’s saying Bush is stuck in Iraq.”. He was more interested in showing how tough he can fight back than in simply explaining himself. I’m a Dem, but I think he’s an idiot.