Commie PB&J sandwiches
From time to time, over the last 20 or so months, Barack Obama has demonstrated an ability to use humor very effectively. When he campaigned in NC the other day he added a new paragraph to his stump speech:
"[B]ecause he knows his economic theories don't work he's been spending these last few days calling me every name in the book," Obama said. "Lately, he's called me a 'socialist' for wanting to roll back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans so we can finally give tax relief to the middle class. I don't know what's next. By the end of the week, he'll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten. I shared my peanut butter and jelly sandwich."
I love his laugh at the end...he is truly tickled with how ridiculous his opponent's campaign has become.
It shows class when Obama doesn't use the angry tactics Republicans use to demonize Democrats. Mockery has the multiple advantages of being gentler, more effective and oh, so satisfying.
Columnist Molly Ivins once said that ridicule is the most powerful political weapon. She ought to know because she was a master of the art. I miss her so, she would be going crazy over this election.
Even during the primaries, Obama always preferred a humorous response instead of an angry one. His wonderful sense of irony and use of humor is a great way to fight back against the right-wing smear machine without getting defensive or falling into the "angry black man" stereotype. No politician has used humor as effectively since Reagan.
Obama's incredibly comfortable in his own skin, a trait that makes me comfortable with him.
I really like his way with people, period. One time a very elderly black man at a campaign rally presented Obama with a walking stick, something this old timer had taken a long time to create.
Obama grabbed the stick, commented on it's craftsmanship, thanked him and said something along the lines of -- "If Congress doesn't pass my healthcare program, I'll take this stick and give 'em a whuppin."
One of my favorite Obama lines came before he announced his VP pick. He refused to give a name but guaranteed that his VP wouldn't be one of those fourth branch of government vice presidents.
Hallelujah on that.
