Obama and McCain at the Alfred E. Smith dinner

Pretty good performances by both, and it’s refreshing to see them roast each other lightheartedly the day after a heated debate. My favorite line was from Obama: “Most people don’t know this, but Barack is Swahili for ‘that one.’” Watch them both if you have a few minutes.

Obama:

McCain:

5 Responses to “Obama and McCain at the Alfred E. Smith dinner”

1. Political Levity « godsnowhere says:

   October 17, 2008 at 12:17 pm

   [...] The Moderate Voice [...]
2. elrod says:

   October 17, 2008 at 11:28 am

   If this McCain showed up this season, the race would be tied. I firmly believe that McCain lost at least five or six points based on his campaign alone. His selection of Sarah Palin sealed the deal for disaffected moderates.
3. JSpencer says:

   October 17, 2008 at 11:33 am

   Pretty interesting to see Obama and McCain behaving in this venue. It's quite a contrast to the debates and the general campaigning, and almost comes across as a huge inside joke – that they are able to suspend their connection with the issues and emotions that drive this election and able to have big laugh about it. Yes, I understand this important to mental health, and may even function as a positive sort of bonding ritual for the parties, but how many of the rest of us the luxury of that off and on switch? I understand the need to keep things in perspective, to be able to laugh at stuff, especially the tough stuff, but it still comes across as a little spooky to me. Maybe I just need another cup of coffee, or maybe it's the approach of Halloween. It just seems too much like a party on the titanic.
4. roro80 says:

   October 17, 2008 at 11:40 am

   See, that's the McCain I thought we would get during the campaign. It's good to know that it's still in him, even if we rarely see it these days.
5. pacatrue says:

   October 17, 2008 at 3:24 pm

   I'd say that Obama's comedy writers are better, but McCain is the better comedian somehow. Obama's just too much of the straight man.