I'm finally getting to see McCain's Al Smith Dinner Address -- It's hysterical, too.

[gateley]

I can't help but wonder if the same writers wrote both their bits. They were both so right on, equally as funny and devastating without going too far, winding up with the platitudes.

[CrispyQ]

1. I thought they were both good!

It's fun to see them completely out of their element. It's obvious that neither was practiced at delivering the punch line - not like a Leno, Letterman or Maher would be. Not that they weren't good, but obvious that comedy is not their thing. It was cool to see that!

Last night, some DUers were adamant that McCain wasn't funny. :eyes: I hate seeing that trait in anyone & I always hope that we're above that -- that we can recognize the good in the other side when we see it.

My only wish is that McCain would be more like he was last night. I agree with what Biden said on Leno last night - that McCain doesn't seem comfortable with the nastiness. I think he's wanted the presidency so badly for so long that on this, his last chance, he is feeling desperate & making bad decisions on how to handle being so far behind.

[gateley]

2. It bothers me when people won't give McCain or the Reps an INCH. McCain

WAS funny and he took some hard ribbing very well. Sheesh. We seem to put on the same blinders as the Freepers do, at times. It's silly.

I haven't seen the entire Leno clip yet, but I saw the part you're referring to and would agree with Joe. BUT, I can't see Joe or Obama getting as down and dirty as McC has, so I'm not going to cut him too much slack.

[PatSeg]

4. I agree

I've read some really mean-spirited, nasty crap out there and it doesn't reflect well on liberals. I have very few nice things to say about republicans these days, but I will give them credit when it is due (which is RARE).

[PatSeg]

3. I thought McCain was very funny too

and I think it is petty to not give him credit. It was the first time I was able to tolerate watching him in a long time.

I think McCain has sold his soul to the devil in order to become president. It is so rare to see the McCain I remember. Last night might be the last time we see this side of him.

[CrispyQ]

5. He does pretty good when he's on the Jon Stewart show, too.

I didn't follow politics much before '04, so I don't know what he was like. I did read about how nasty & awful the boosh campaign was to him in the primaries of '00 & I wonder how do you forgive that kind of complete mean-spiritedness & go to back the person who approved that? I believe that if he had spoken out & voted against boosh, more, during the last eight years, this race would be much closer!

Yes, he sold his soul.

[PatSeg]

6. I had always like McCain

though I would have never voted for him. Then he embraced Bush after Bush had dragged McCain's wife and adopted daughter through the mud. I lost all respect for him then and I've never been able to look at him the same way since. How can a man do that to his family? That is NOT my idea of a "man".

He's just gotten worse over the years. He needs to go home to AZ and retire before he does anymore damage.

[Jennicut]

7. McCain used to be like this until he let the former Bush and Rove operatives work for him

He always had a temper (pushing around Strom Thurmond on the Senate floor anyone?) and he could be mean spirited at times (comparing Chelsea Clinton to Janet Reno) but at least didn't used to be so smarmy and humorless. Last night was more like the old McCain. He has been told to do a million different things to win the election and he did try all of it but it isn't him and that is why he comes off as uncomfortable. In 2000, he was the real John McCain. He pandered to the right wing to get the support of the "base" and I lost whatever respect I once held for him. My husband's aunt said today to me that she used to not dislike John McCain and now she can't stand him, his reputation among independents/Democrats has tanked.

[Muttocracy]

8. I thought what Joe said to Jay Leno about that was really interesting

that John was not comfortable with what's happened in this campaign.