McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke

McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (Full Version)

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dcnovice -> McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 2:38:51 PM)
This morning, I read a old joke for the first time. John McCain told it to a Republican audience ten years ago. Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno. Normally, I might think, "Well, a decade was a while ago. Hasn't the statute of limitations run out by now?" On reflection, though, I think the timing is important for two reasons: (a) Ten years ago, McCain was still his maverick self, not scrubbed up and focused-grouped to appeal to larger audiences. So a joke from then may actually offer a more authentic glimpse into him than what he says now. (b) At the time McCain dissed her, Chelsea Clinton was an 18-year-old living with her folks in the White House. That suggests that McCain may be more comfortable attacking politicians' family members than he let on during the Bristol Palin brouhaha. What does it say about McCain that his sense of humor includes slamming an 18-year-old for her looks and taking homophobic swipes at people trying to serve their country?

thishereboi -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 2:44:15 PM)
Couldn't find anything recent to bitch about?

MzMia -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 2:44:55 PM)
[;)] Thank you for sharing DC. Maybe we can start some "Whose the real baby daddy?" jokes. I tell ya, when I look out of my window, I can see Russia!

slaveboyforyou -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 2:49:20 PM)
It says he made an insensitive, off-color joke that was inappropriate. I think most of us have done that at one time or another. I don't see the part about Janet Reno as being homophobic. Janet Reno is rather manly looking.

dcnovice -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 2:49:24 PM)
I only read the "joke" this morning, and it's left me questioning my image of McCain. While I'm not on his wavelength politically, I had pegged him for a decent guy. Now I'm wondering. As Shakespeare says in King Lear, "Jesters do oft prove prophets." I think what a person jokes about can often be a window into his or her character, in part because we often let our guards down for humor.

SilverMark -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 2:57:07 PM)
Saw Chelsea on TV at the convention....not drop dead gorgeous but grew up rather attractive.....always thought Janet Reno was a man?...damn me and old Johnny Mac were both wrong!...

Sanity -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 3:00:55 PM)
How do you know that John McCain really did tell that joke? I'm not saying he didn't, he really does seem to have a twisted sense of humor... But it's just as likely that this "Joke" is merely another false rumor.

Sanity -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 3:02:35 PM)
Obama doesn't really have a sense of humor, does he. Or if he does, he doesn't care to show it, not that I've seen. quote: ORIGINAL: dcnovice I only read the "joke" this morning, and it's left me questioning my image of McCain. While I'm not on his wavelength politically, I had pegged him for a decent guy. Now I'm wondering. As Shakespeare says in King Lear, "Jesters do oft prove prophets." I think what a person jokes about can often be a window into his or her character, in part because we often let our guards down for humor.

dcnovice -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 3:13:13 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Sanity How do you know that John McCain really did tell that joke? I'm not saying he didn't, he really does seem to have a twisted sense of humor... But it's just as likely that this "Joke" is merely another false rumor. I read about the joke in Metro Weekly, a gay/lesbian magazine here in DC. Before starting the thread, though, I Googled "McCain Chelsea Clinton joke." Here are a few of the 149,000 results. Salon New York Times (including an apologetic quote from McCain) Independent (UK)

Sanity -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 3:19:32 PM)
That NY Times article had some good insight to it: quote: He (McCain) (was) so revered by the press that his disgusting jape was largely nudged under the rug. ''It's like a return to the Kennedy era,'' said one magazine editor. ''He makes a gaffe, and we look the other way.'' Kind of like they're treating Obama right now... And another clip from your linked NY Times article: quote: ''This is the bad boy,'' he said in a phone interview. ''It was stupid and cruel and insensitive. I've apologized. I can't take it back. I could give you a whole bunch of excuses, but there are no excuses. I was wrong, but do you want me crucified? How many days does it need to be a story?'' He said the Senator who spoke just before he did to the Republican fat cats made a tasteless joke about Viagra. ''So I got up and said, 'You think that was a tasteless joke? Listen to this one.' The minute it came out of my mouth, I thought, 'Oh no, this is a terrible mistake.' '' But, he added, defensively, ''I will always maintain a sense of humor. Life is too short not to.''

LookieNoNookie -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 5:04:23 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: dcnovice This morning, I read a old joke for the first time. John McCain told it to a Republican audience ten years ago. Why is Chelsea Clinton so ugly? Because her father is Janet Reno. Normally, I might think, "Well, a decade was a while ago. Hasn't the statute of limitations run out by now?" On reflection, though, I think the timing is important for two reasons: (a) Ten years ago, McCain was still his maverick self, not scrubbed up and focused-grouped to appeal to larger audiences. So a joke from then may actually offer a more authentic glimpse into him than what he says now. (b) At the time McCain dissed her, Chelsea Clinton was an 18-year-old living with her folks in the White House. That suggests that McCain may be more comfortable attacking politicians' family members than he let on during the Bristol Palin brouhaha. What does it say about McCain that his sense of humor includes slamming an 18-year-old for her looks and taking homophobic swipes at people trying to serve their country? I find it impossible to believe McCain told that joke 10 years ago... Or any time. (Frankly...I find it impossible to believe *anyone* told that joke....ever).

bipolarber -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 8:15:55 PM)
As I recall, there was a short period where most of the republicans were "joining in" on the fun of making "Chelsea Clinton is an ugly teen" jokes. The faddish equivilent to making "dead baby" jokes in elementary school. Limbaugh, O'Riley, on down the line to Denver local GOP talking heads on the radio were taking shots. So, Johnny McCain, being the "joiner" he was, crafted one of his own. The American public let them know exactly what they thought of that shit. Their email and phones didn't stop for weeks, telling each and every one of them what vile, insesnitive assholes they all were for ripping on an adolecent girl. The jokes stopped. At least publicly. Who knows how many of the cretins kept it up, "off the record." At least McCain publicly apologized. I'm willing to bet that, once in office, they'll start the same shit up again with the Obama's girls. Republicans are assholes.

popeye1250 -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 9:52:13 PM)
That's ok, Lefties are "Offended" by everything!" Oh, and Abadabba's farts don't stink.

slaveboyforyou -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 9:57:15 PM)
quote: That's ok, Lefties are "Offended" by everything!" Oh, and Abadabba's farts don't stink. Yeah they are, Popeye. I had to sit and watch a stupid "Oprah" like interview with Christopher Reeve once with this girl I was dating. I made a remark that I thought was downright funny about where he'd hide the colostomy bag in the Superman suit. You'd think from her reaction that I was the horse that paralyzed him.

Vendaval -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 11:14:02 PM)
Well, it was a rude and inappropriate joke and he was old enough to know better. I cannot say how much him telling it reveals beyond that. quote: ORIGINAL: dcnovice What does it say about McCain that his sense of humor includes slamming an 18-year-old for her looks and taking homophobic swipes at people trying to serve their country?

slaveboyforyou -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/19/2008 11:29:11 PM)
quote: Well, it was a rude and inappropriate joke and he was old enough to know better. I cannot say how much him telling it reveals beyond that. Yes it was, Vendaval. But...."he who is without sin, cast the first stone." I get so sick of the discussions we have about the character of people we don't know. I don't know John McCain, but I know people. People have their faults. I understand that blunt since of humor. I grew up with it. My father served 3 years as an infantry officer in Vietnam. He's a little younger than McCain. He's a mean, hateful SOB sometimes. He says the most insensitive things you can imagine. But I know he doesn't really hate people. People like him and John McCain have seen things that you and I can't possibly imagine. It changes them. I never understood it until I got older. My grandmother said that war changed him. It changed her father during WWI. It changed my grandfather during WWII. It changed McCain. He's a genuine hero, and I guarantee you he doesn't see it that way. I guarantee you he goes over mistakes in his mind every night. Cut the man some slack. He deserves it. You might not think he'd be a good leader, and I understand that. But he deserves a little respect.

Vendaval -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/20/2008 12:21:29 AM)
slaveboy, I have no problem with his military record or his POW experiences or his years of public service. But I do think his comments were inappropriate, especially since they involve a young woman who happens to be the daughter of politicians. We have had a number of posters on here, myself included, say that the family members of the candidates should not be used for crass and rude remarks. This has been a subject of agreement across party lines.

thishereboi -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/20/2008 5:05:14 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Vendaval slaveboy, I have no problem with his military record or his POW experiences or his years of public service. But I do think his comments were inappropriate, especially since they involve a young woman who happens to be the daughter of politicians. We have had a number of posters on here, myself included, say that the family members of the candidates should not be used for crass and rude remarks. This has been a subject of agreement across party lines. How do you feel about all the attacks on Palins daughter?

NuevaVida -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/20/2008 5:22:05 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: thishereboi quote: ORIGINAL: Vendaval slaveboy, I have no problem with his military record or his POW experiences or his years of public service. But I do think his comments were inappropriate, especially since they involve a young woman who happens to be the daughter of politicians. We have had a number of posters on here, myself included, say that the family members of the candidates should not be used for crass and rude remarks. This has been a subject of agreement across party lines. How do you feel about all the attacks on Palins daughter? Just to chime in here, I think attacks on any campaign member's offspring is cutting way too low. And Obama even condemed those things said against Palin's daughter, too, rather than add to it making cracks of his own.

kittinSol -> RE: McCain's Chelsea Clinton Joke (9/20/2008 5:57:00 AM)
I didn't see Palin's daughter being attacked either in the mainstream media or by her mother's fellow politicians. It was Palin's hypocrisy that was questioned, not her daughter's actions. If a prominent Democratic politician had made unpleasant and very public 'jokes' about her, it would be comparable, but we all know full well that's not what happened. The jokes about Chelsea Clinton started way earlier than the sad little McCain comment made, when she was barely a teenager (I may be wrong, mind you). They were vicious jabs by grown-up men (how pathetic is it to attack a very young woman like that?): but look at her now, and look at the sad bastards that attacked her, and you'll agree with me that she came out on top by a huge margin.

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