Howard Needs A Joke

Here’s some good advice for Howard Dean from Liberal Oasis :

In the first debate with Walter Mondale in 1984, Reagan?s performance was so shaky, doubts grew about his old age and his faculties.

His 26 point lead in the polls was cut in half. Mondale was back in it.

But in the next debate, when Reagan was asked about his age, he was ready. With perfect comedic timing, he said:

I want you to know that I will not make age an issue of this campaign.

I am not going to exploit for political purposes my opponent?s youth and inexperience.

Not only did the crowd roar in laughter, the joke reversed the doubts that he was losing it, because he put himself in command of the room.
. . .
A great joke about the ?Iowa Yell? could do the same for Dean.

He once was the most likeable candidate, the one best connecting with the people.

Showing he can skillfully laugh at himself would put to rest notions that he?s lost it, and remind voters about his likeable traits.

I couldn’t agree more. The media’s been playing that speech so much, the prevailing view of Howard Dean is of a hyperactive jackass. If he can’t deflect this, he’s done.

In order to brush this off, Dean needs a good joke that will poke fun at himself. As LO said, it’s got to strike just the right tone. It can’t be too wacky or too awkward. Do you guys have any suggestions for what Dean should say? Here’s mine :

“If you thought that was wild, you should see what happens when I win.”


posted by greg on January 22, 2004 @ 10:08 am

6 comments

  1. This morning on Democracy Now they quoted Dean as saying something about returning to his “centrist roots, since that’s who I really am anyway”. But I don’t think that was a joke…

    Comment by mona — January 22, 2004 @ 10:24 am

  2. That makes sense. He is a centrist. Anyone who supports or denigrates him thinking he’s an ultra-liberal hasn’t been doing their homework.

    Comment by greg — January 22, 2004 @ 10:37 am

  3. speaking of both democracy now and centrists, tomorrow democracy now will be getting some much craved answers from madonna’s co-endorser of former school of the americas principal wes clark, michael moore.

    the last time he was on i felt amy goodman was far too easy on him and i was sorly disappointed. something tells me in the wake of moore’s endorsement she will be a little more critical tomorrow. should be interesting.

    Comment by josh — January 22, 2004 @ 11:38 am

  4. a question just came to me: when did dean leave his centrist roots? if hes insinuating hes been running too liberal id hate to see a dean campaign that moves more to the right.

    Comment by josh — January 22, 2004 @ 11:39 am

  5. when did dean leave his centrist roots?

    Never, but he’s definitely been accentuating the more liberal parts of his platform. He hasn’t lied, but then again, he hasn’t gone on stage screaming “The death penalty rocks!” or “Three cheers for the second amendment! Hip-Hip-Hooray!!”

    Comment by greg — January 22, 2004 @ 12:17 pm

  6. Remember when Bob Dole toppled off of a platform i ‘96, but then came back with the great joke about calling his lawyers? Dean does need a joke.

    Comment by Earnest — January 22, 2004 @ 12:41 pm

Copy link for RSS feed for comments on this post

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.