I have always admired Al Smith, the Democrat who was the first Catholic to run for President on a major party ticket in 1928. Each year the Al Smith dinner is held in New York to raise funds for Catholic Charities. It is traditional each Presidential election year for the major party candidates to appear and give humorous speeches. Senators McCain and Obama observed the tradition last night and I thought both their speeches were well done.
The Lighter Side
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 41 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
Bravo to both men–very well done.
It struck me that McCain feels more comfortable doing comedy — and his writers were a little more on as well. Obama didn’t seem to feel all that comfortable up there.
Of course, having made this tough call, I suppose I’m going to have to stop insisting that an Obama presidency would be a total joke.
Observation: Fully the last half of Obama’s routine was about himself. Though I’m sure he didn’t write all his own material, I think that says something about the man and those he chooses to work for him.
[…] to be funny, and this year the candidates did not disappoint (video of both speeches can be found here). Both Senator Obama and Senator McCain showed themselves to be quite capable of poking fun at […]
[…] to be funny, and this year the candidates did not disappoint (video of both speeches can be found here). Both Senator Obama and Senator McCain showed themselves to be quite capable of poking fun at […]
[…] this murderer like Cardinal Egan did with then presidential candidate Barack Obama in the Al Smith dinner. St. Ambrose did none of these things. He risked death in order to discipline Emperor […]