The Republican Debate: An Unfunny Joke

With all due respect to About.com's funny Guide to Political Humor, I can't resist retelling a few late-night jokes about last week's Republican "debate," moderated by MSNBC's Chris Matthews:

From Jay Leno
"This week all the Republican candidates will be coming to California to debate each other at the Reagan Library. The winner will be selected by ExxonMobil."

"The Republicans will have their big debate this week at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif. The debate is between the two sides of the Republican Party, the haves and the really haves. "

From Conan O'Brien
"The Republican Presidential Debate was held tonight in California and ten candidates took part. Political experts say that the 10 Republicans represented all races, creeds and colors of rich white men. "

From David Letterman
"Earlier tonight, how many of you saw the Republican presidential debate? How many of you? That's right. There are 10 Republicans who want to be president of the United States. Did you see them? I mean, they look like guys waiting to tee off at a restricted country club."

From Craig Ferguson
"President Bush was on 'American Idol' last night. He made an appearance, and afterwards the phone lines were jammed with people trying to vote him off."

Unfunny Jokes?
Political jokes, such as these, are hilarious because they contain uncomfortable truths. In this case, deeply painful, obvious truths.

To me, the embarrassing Republican debate/quiz looked like 10 wealthy, middle-aged white guys ignoring the future of America.

Not one mentioned providing healthcare for 50 million uninsured Americans. Or repairing our broken schools and the No Child Left Behind Act. Or immigration reform. Or plans to end U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Or development of alternative energy sources. Or reducing the monstrous U.S. trade and budget deficits. Or salvaging the United States' standing in the world.

And all, except for Ron Paul, wholeheartedly want to continue George Bush's Iraq War. You know... the 4-year conflict that's cost over $500 billion and growing? The discretionary war and occupation that's caused the death or permanent maiming of almost 30,000 U.S. soldiers?

Oh... and they all want the U.S. to bomb Iran. Soon, it seems...

The 10 "debaters" offered no new ideas, and frankly, gave no evidence that they realized the U.S. needs new ideas. This when 71% of Americans are dissatisfied with "with the way things are going in the United States at this time ."

The late night jokes are admittedly quite funny. But reality in Republican-world 2008 isn't funny at all. It's merely a nightmarish replay of the Bush Administration's catastrophic head-in-the-sand policies.

It's no wonder that a Newsweek poll conducted on May 2-3 showed that:

"George W. Bush has the lowest presidential approval rating in a generation, and the leading Dems beat every major ’08 Republican."

It's no wonder that Pulitzer-Prize-winning centrist pundit, David Broder, the dean of the Washington D.C. press corps, wrote in his Washington Post column today:

"Wars do end when the American people say they must. Dwight Eisenhower was elected president in 1952 with a promise to end the Korean War. Richard Nixon was elected president in 1968 with a promise to end the Vietnam War.

And if George Bush doesn't do it, a Democrat will win in 2008 with a promise to end the war in Iraq."

It's no wonder that the Times of London reports today that Republicans defect to the Obama camp. And per the article, Republicans have fled to Hillary's camp, too.

The jokes just aren't funny.

And the American public isn't laughing. Or listening to nonsense by empty suits anymore.

Vote Democratic in 2008!

Related Reading
Profile of Chris Matthews, Host of MSNBC's Hardball
Iraq War Statistics & Results as of May 2, 2007
Newsweek, May 5, 2007: The Elephant in the Room
Washington Post, May 6, 2007: A War The Public Will End by David S. Broder