Althouse: Advice not taken.

May 3, 2010

Advice not taken.

"If you're a Democrat, you make fun of Democrats and go easy on the Republicans; if you're a Republican, you do the opposite."

49 comments:

Shanna said...: So Obama lacks class and the ability to laugh at himself. This is nothing new. I'm beginning to think the guys just mean.; 5/3/10, 10:59 AM
garage mahal said...: Has there ever been a group more picked on and under appreciated than Republicans? It just keeps grinding on, day after day, year after year....; 5/3/10, 11:01 AM
Phil 314 said...: i don't know. Yeah, its a nice bonus to have a President who's good with a quip but I'll settle for skill in the core duties (i.e. Commander in Chief); 5/3/10, 11:05 AM
Anonymous said...: It has been showing for some time now that Obama is pretty much an arrogant prick.; 5/3/10, 11:14 AM
MadisonMan said...: I'm shocked (SHOCKED!) that a Reagan/Bush I/Bush II speechwriter finds fault in something Obama did.; 5/3/10, 11:16 AM
gk1 said...: People have short memories. I remember the republicans have always been fair game for the entertainment industry as far back as the 70's when I became a sentient being. But on the plus side its given the republicans a hide of a rhino, while the democrats have become the party of pussies.; 5/3/10, 11:18 AM
veni vidi vici said...: MM, did you see the performance? If you're caught up in the partisan comparo aspect you probably didn't.

Obama had some funny bits (the John Boner joke was good, even if you could see it coming a mile away) and some that, even if they read mildly on paper came across unnecessarily petulant if not hostile (the Mitt joke was lame *and* pissy), among an awful lot of really weak content, delivered in a boring and drawn-out style. The petulant stuff made Obama look insecure (really? Mitt? How 2007 can you get?) and diminished him and judging by the looks on the audience faces (and hands in the laps) in the crowd shots, I'm not alone in my impression.

But if you thought that it was just about Obama-bashing, regardless of one's opinion of Leno's humor (I think it's generally anodyne and chucklable as its goal if not always achieved fwiw), he died a slow, shriveling death up there after Obama. Wow.

My impression after watching this thing is that the press is beginning to get comfortable with the idea that Obama's not all about that charming smile; he's another sharp-fanged and meaner-than-many (credit Chicago, I'd reckon) politician who needs their continued enabling to carry him. Once the worm turns on that and they realize he needs them more than they need him, things could get ugly fast for this guy because he's got a lot farther to fall in terms of "unreported objective reporting" than Clinton or W Bush did, and recall how quickly and viciously the press turned on them in their time.

Overall, a surprising fail by the president in a venue through which he should've cakewalked.

wv: "quing" -- a monarch who's quaffed one too many.; 5/3/10, 11:27 AM
Turtledove said...: The man is cold, arrogant and self-absorbed. Like most leftists.; 5/3/10, 11:28 AM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: Well, isn't it swell.

The President of the United States can do a good stand up comedy routine. I'm so proud.(sarcasm) Too bad he really sucks at being President.

Don't keep your day job.

You know I've read that many comics are really nasty, mean, disturbed personalities when off the stage.

Maybe after this term is finally, thankfully over, he can do what he really excels in: standing up in front of an audience reading words and jokes written by others.; 5/3/10, 11:33 AM
Scott M said...: @garage

Has there ever been a group more picked on and under appreciated than Republicans? It just keeps grinding on, day after day, year after year...

High-minded snark indeed from the side of the spectrum that brought you political correctness. If they can't have outright tyranny, they'll settle for telling you what you can and can't say.; 5/3/10, 11:35 AM
Dave said...: There was more than one self-deprecating joke in Obama's act.

What we should really be concerned with was the fact that the President was edgier (& funnier) than the host of the Tonight Show, material-wise.; 5/3/10, 11:36 AM
Michael said...: Obama tells jokes in such a way as to underscore his own humorlessness.; 5/3/10, 11:37 AM
I'm Full of Soup said...: DBQ:

"Don't keep your day job".

Excellently funny- Insty should link to your snark!; 5/3/10, 11:42 AM
GMay said...: I read his remarks as I can't really stomach watching him anymore. In the reading it comes across as pretty funny stuff, even if he is breaking with so-called tradition. Now some of you are making me want to go watch it so I can see his presentsation and delivery.

Damn it all.; 5/3/10, 11:43 AM
I'm Full of Soup said...: Althouse- you should consider posting about the inspirational speech Obama gave to U of M grads.; 5/3/10, 11:44 AM
ricpic said...: Obama was right in characterizing Steele as a brother. It is beyond tragic that at a moment when, for the very survival of America, Republicans should be taking off the gloves and body slamming Mr. Thug, the face of the party is a RINO brother.; 5/3/10, 12:04 PM
former law student said...: Obama mocked fellow Democrats:

Biden "... This is a big (beep) meal." (Applause.)

Eric Massa; Rahm Emanuel: "Apparently Massa claimed that Rahm came up to him one day in the House locker room, stark naked, started screaming obscenities at him -- to which I say, welcome to my world."

Obama mocked himself several times, especially his precipitous drop in appeal:
"-- lots of ups, lots of downs -- except for my approval ratings, which have just gone down."

"my approval ratings are still very high in the country of my birth."

"Of course I may not have had the star power that I once had "

"the only person whose ratings fell more than mine last year"

While discussing his low popularity, Obama mocked his famous gaffe from the 2008 campaign: 'Hillary Clinton, pulled me aside and she gave me a pep talk. "Don't worry, Barack, you're likeable enough." '

His non-production of his original birth certificate:
" love and a birth certificate. "(Laughter.)

His doting dadditude:
"But, boys, don't get any ideas. (Laughter.) I have two words for you -- predator drones."

His unearned Nobel Peace Prize:
"disappointments. For example, I had my heart set on the Nobel Prize -- for Physics."

His lack of athletic skill:
"I threw it a little high and a little outside."

The flaws in his health care bill:
" Some Republicans have suggested that the bill contains a few secret provisions. That's ridiculous. There aren't a few secret provisions in the health care plan -- there are, like, hundreds."

"The following individuals shall be excluded from the indoor tanning tax"

"If you do not like the ruling of your death panel you can appeal."; 5/3/10, 12:07 PM
Dust Bunny Queen said...: His doting dadditude:
"But, boys, don't get any ideas. (Laughter.) I have two words for you -- predator drones."

That part was actually pretty funny and made Obama seem normal as a protective of his daughters fatherly attitude.; 5/3/10, 12:11 PM
Scott M said...: Obama was right in characterizing Steele as a brother. It is beyond tragic that at a moment when, for the very survival of America, Republicans should be taking off the gloves and body slamming Mr. Thug, the face of the party is a RINO brother.

...half-brother.; 5/3/10, 12:16 PM
Hoosier Daddy said...: Obama mocked himself several times,...

You call that self mocking? Really?; 5/3/10, 12:19 PM
Beta Conservative said...: If I had predator drones I would use them on people who push a cartful up to the express line with a checkbook in one hand and a fist full of coupons in the other.

We should all have at least one.; 5/3/10, 12:22 PM
MamaM said...: From The Self-Deprecating Narcissist:

"In my more humorous moments I can present myself as the opposite of what is widely known to be true...I can be self-deprecating and self-effacing...Yet, this is true only when I have narcissistic supply aplenty. Narcissistic supply - attention, adulation, admiration, applause, fame, celebrity, notoriety - neuter the sting of my self-directed jokes. ...I am completely different when I lack narcissistic supply or when in search of sources of such supply. Humor is always an integral part of my charm offensive. But, when narcissistic supply is deficient, it is never self-directed."; 5/3/10, 12:30 PM
Anonymous said...: Spot on Quayle, arrogant prick 100%.

But you know:

Oh Lord it's hard to be humble
When you're perfect in every way
I can't wait to look in the mirror
Cuz I get better looking each day.

To know me is to love me
I must be a hell of a man
O Lord it's hard to be humble
But I'm doing the best that I can.

I used to have a girlfriend
But I guess she just couldn't compete
With all of these love-starved women
Who keep clamoring at my feet.

Well I'll probably find me another
But I guess they're all in awe of me
Who cares I never get lonesome
Cause I treasure my own company.

Oh Lord it's hard to be humble
When you're perfect in every way
I can't wait to look in the mirror
Cuz I get better looking each day.

To know me is to love me
I must be a hell of a man
O Lord it's hard to be humble
But I'm doing the best that I can.

I guess you can say I'm a loner
A cowboy outlaw tough and proud
Well I could have lots of friends if I wanted
But then I wouldn't stand out from the crowd.

Some folks say that I'm egotistical
Hell, I don't even know what that means
I guess it has something to do with the
Way that I fill out my skin tight blue jeans.

Oh Lord it's hard to be humble
When you're perfect in every way
I can't wait to look in the mirror
Cuz I get better looking each day.

To know me is to love me
I must be a hell of a man
O Lord it's hard to be humble
We are doing the best that we can.; 5/3/10, 12:31 PM
AllenS said...: Obama, here's a good one:

"For about an hour, I forgot I was black."

HAHAHAHAHA!; 5/3/10, 12:32 PM
AllenS said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 5/3/10, 12:32 PM
veni vidi vici said...: Yeah, the "country of my birth" joke was really well-delivered, as was the predator drone thing - particularly the "You think I'm joking?" tag on the end.

He could've used way more of that side of himself in the routine, though.; 5/3/10, 12:34 PM
Big Mike said...: I'm glad he can deliver comedic lines so effectively. Where he should have been is in Lousiana eye-balling the oil spill. How many disaster zones has this guy visited? Essentially none is my impression.; 5/3/10, 12:45 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey former law student, I have a question for you.

What do you think about Obama and his church that he knew for 20 years?; 5/3/10, 12:57 PM
garage mahal said...: 20 years in that mosque...; 5/3/10, 1:02 PM
KCFleming said...: The king has a court jester, The Daily Show.

The court jester always knows his place. He'll occasionally make a swipe at the boss, but remain within obvious constraints.

To others, he is forever known to be in the king's employ.

The sad demise of a show that attempted, at times, independence. No more of that; now they are like GM and Wall Street, a wholly owned subsidiary of Obama, Inc.

Better coin in it, I'm sure.; 5/3/10, 1:05 PM
Anonymous said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 5/3/10, 1:06 PM
Anonymous said...: 20 years in that mosque...

Hey dipshit, go blow your precious black Jesus Christ.; 5/3/10, 1:08 PM
garage mahal said...: hisssssssssssss; 5/3/10, 1:09 PM
Anonymous said...: hisssssssssssss

What is this? I don't even...; 5/3/10, 1:15 PM
former law student said...: What do you think about Obama and his church

Pretty radical, eh? Read its mission statement:

The United Church of Christ acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share in this confession. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God. In accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among evangelical Christians, it recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion.; 5/3/10, 1:17 PM
Known Unknown said...: "Pretty radical, eh? Read its mission statement:"

That's a noble mission. I hope they get there someday.; 5/3/10, 1:31 PM
Rich B said...: FLS-

Sorry, but you missed the Rev Wright's church -

"Our History

We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community."; 5/3/10, 1:32 PM
Anonymous said...: Pretty radical, eh? Read its mission statement:

The United Church of Christ acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior. It acknowledges as kindred in Christ all who share in this confession. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures, and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church expressed in the ancient creeds and reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own in reality of worship, in honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God. In accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among evangelical Christians, it recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion.

TL;DR

Just kidding.

I see that is what you think about Obama and his church. Thank for answer my question.; 5/3/10, 1:40 PM
Trooper York said...: I don't think you are being fair to our President.

I have always thought that he was a joke.

Show some respect.; 5/3/10, 1:48 PM
garage mahal said...: ALways wondered what people would make of Obama standing before a Kenyan witch doctor holding his hands open asking Christ to keep him safe from "every form of witchcraft", as Sarah Plain did.; 5/3/10, 1:50 PM
Unknown said...: The Zero's delivery should come as no surprise, he's spent a lifetime learning to read off a teleprompter.

Anent garage, I've yet to see a Lefty with a sense of humor. That's the reason they push PC and dogma so hard.

Big Mike said...

I'm glad he can deliver comedic lines so effectively. Where he should have been is in Lousiana eye-balling the oil spill. How many disaster zones has this guy visited? Essentially none is my impression.

Good point; when does Ubermoron start saying, "Mr. President. Shut. The. Hell. Up."?; 5/3/10, 1:52 PM
MadisonMan said...: Where he should have been is in Lousiana eye-balling the oil spill. How many disaster zones has this guy visited?

Obama was in Louisiana Sunday.

I wonder what he told Gov. Jindal about running for President.; 5/3/10, 1:56 PM
Paul Kirchner said...: I thought Obama made too strong a point of targeting each and every one of his political opponents. I went back and looked at some of Bush's Press Club presentations, and they were less relentlessly partisan. (Lots of Cheney jokes, for example.)

Obama is a very partisan guy, clearly, so it's funny when he gets all high-minded and tells everyone else not to be partisan, as he did the students at the University of Michigan. So often there is this disconnect between what he says and what he does/is, like when he told the Republican gathering that he wasn't an ideologue. I think by that he means that he's simply correct, and everyone who disagrees with him must be an ideologue.

BTW, I thought the Washington press corpse decided it didn't like Obama anymore.; 5/3/10, 1:57 PM
Dustin said...: I think Obama was pretty funny.

I also think W was much funnier, and altogether a more pleasant person, but Obama got me to laugh. I realize he's always been great at reading other people's material. Obama only sounds like an idiot if he's using his own words.

He's in over his head, and we can see that as close as the gulf and as far as Iran, so I'm grateful for whatever assistance he can get. It's a long time before we get a chance to switch presidents, and I frankly suspect Obama will be reelected because the GOP is still frighteningly weak. So whoever was clever enough to spoonfeed the jokes to Obama: bless your heart.; 5/3/10, 2:05 PM
Dustin said...: And I agree with those who note that a lot of lefties have no sense of humor.

You can even see it in the bizarre way they angrily defend Obama's jokes they know he didn't invent.; 5/3/10, 2:11 PM
Joe said...: I despise the whole thing and did under previous presidents. The entire notion of the press and the president being chummy annoys the hell out of me.; 5/3/10, 2:43 PM
David said...: [About his daughters]:
"But, boys, don't get any ideas. (Laughter.) I have two words for you -- predator drones."

Keep family out of it--unless you decide not to.

"my approval ratings are still very high in the country of my birth"--That's actually funny.

O is just not a funny man.; 5/3/10, 3:32 PM
lexy_nesbitt said...: ALways wondered what people would make of Obama standing before a Kenyan witch doctor holding his hands open asking Christ to keep him safe from "every form of witchcraft", as Sarah Plain did.

For real. She needs to find someone more classy, more wise; someone we can take seriously. Like, say, Jeremiah Wright.; 5/3/10, 5:02 PM
Chase said...: I didn't vote for Obama and won't vote for Obama, but I thought his set was fine, well balanced between jabs and self-deprecation.

Geez, I'm certainly partisan but not to the point of blind stupidity, where I won't shake hands with someone who disagrees.; 5/3/10, 5:45 PM