Kerry & Humor

The AP today is marveling at Kerry's new found sense of humor. I've always said that a sense of humor is important in politics, especially well timed self deprecating humor (see W's acceptance speech). The problem is, fooling around with humor is terribly dangerous when done by someone not skilled at it. Kerry does not seem to be skilled at it. Humor can sometimes be easily misunderstood and taken wrong, and if you don't know how to use it, you'll shoot yourself in the foot sooner or later. That's why I welcome Kerry's new position as stand up comedian.

He may be safe though, as I suspect others are writing safe jokes for him. The problem is, they don't seem very funny.

Kerry said the occupation of Iraq is riddled with problems, "yet today, President Bush tells us that he would do everything all over again, the same way." Kerry paused for affect before asking sarcastically, "How can he possibly be serious?"

That is very low on the funny scale. It's more bitter sarcasm that only plays when preached to the choir.

"You're going to hear all this talk, `Oh, we've turned the corner, we're doing better, blah, blah,'" he said, running on the phrase as his Wisconsin audience erupted in laughter. "You know, blah and blah and blah."

Only Jerry Seinfeld can make something like blah, blah, blah funny. Mr. Kerry, you are no Jerry Seinfeld. Keep playing with fire. You'll get burned by it.