Obama Humor: It's There if You Look for It

Two months ago I posted without comment this observation by economist Thomas Sowell:

If Barack Obama had given a speech on bowling, it might well have been brilliant and inspiring. But instead he actually tried bowling and threw a gutter ball. The contrast between talking and doing could not have been better illustrated.

This was a bit too much for Joyce, whom I’ve known for over 40 years and who now lives in Chicago:

Steve, that was a rather cheap & mean shot. Ditto for your comments (a subsequent post) on Michelle Obama. I've read quite a few interviews of her (she is, after all, from Chicago) & I was impressed. She comes from a family that was working poor: her father has MS but he had a municipal job & supported his family. Aloha, Joyce

It’s tempting to go down the low road. Every day The Daily Show and Colbert take far cheaper and meaner shots at McCain than Sowell did on Obama. But the outcome of elections is certainly not worth losing friendships over. And I don’t want to chase Joyce away. She’s the only one who regularly reads this blog besides my mother. Anyway, here’s my answer back:

Joyce, IMHO Barack Obama has the thinnest resume of any major candidate for the Presidency during my lifetime. Law professor, community organizer, state senator, and U.S. Senator for less than one term. He's a great speechmaker, but what has he done? To me the bowling episode, minor though it is, exemplifies the risk the country is taking. If I had to choose among Democrats Hillary, Biden, Richardson, Gore, and Obama to be our President, BHO would be dead last.

Concerning Michelle, anyone who's overcome obstacles is worthy of admiration. Perhaps Obama opponents have very selectively culled her speeches for snippets that make her appear angry and ungrateful for the enormous gift of living in this wonderful country. I hope that you're right, for she is likely to be our next First Lady.

Now this pun is cheap and mean. But c’mon, it’s funny.