Stop Me If You've Heard This One

A couple of days ago, Sen. John Kerry was speaking to a group of college students in California. Papa John, a well-known opponent of the war in Iraq, told them that if they studied hard, they will succeed in life. But, if they didn’t – stop me if you’ve heard this one – they would “get stuck in Iraq.”

I know what you’re thinking: “You forgot the punch line!” Let’s say it together … “Just ask President Bush!” Hooray!

Indeed, Kerry did forget the punch line, but we shouldn’t hold it against him. The joke was awful either way. It’s also done a fair job in fostering quite a controversy on Capitol Hill.

“The senator's suggestion that the men and women of our military are somehow uneducated is insulting and it is shameful,” President Bush said at a rally in Georgia on Tuesday.

Kerry insists that the joke was directed at Bush, not the military, but it still hasn’t thwarted any criticism. Democrats have done what all politicians do – change the subject.

“Whatever the intent, Senator Kerry was wrong to say what he said. He needs to apologize to our troops,” Democratic Rep. Harold Ford said. “However, Senator Kerry's words don't alter the fact that the stay-the-course strategy pursued by President Bush and supported by Bob Corker isn't working.”

Kerry did apologize, in some sense anyway. He said sorry for “a botched joke,” that is to say, “Sorry I forgot the punch line to a bad joke.” He has shown no intention to apologize to Bush, which I appreciate. After years of flip-flopping a fish would be impressed by, he’s finally sticking to his guns.

Here’s what House Republican Leader John Boehner told Fox “News”: “He is a liberal, a leftist, and this is the typical attitude they have toward our military. It goes to show you what liberal Democrats would do if they were to take control of the House and Senate.”

Way to slow, or at least attempt to slow, the squandering of Republican Congressional control Mr. Boehner. Although, I doubt it will work.

Right: This isn't what happened

I have one other question. What exactly does this go to show? That Democrats, if they seize control, won't be afraid to give joke telling a shot, even if they can't tell them correctly? That they will attempt to connect to a younger crowd? Well I guess we can't belittle Mark Foley's achievements in that department. However, in this case I'm speaking namely of college students.
Election day is less than a week away, and it seems pretty certain that Democrats will regain control of the House for the first time since 1994 and could potentially threaten Republican power in the Senate.

That’s something I’m looking forward to.

Until then ya’ll, I am out.