Archive for the ‘Barack Obama’ Category
Monday, June 27th, 2011
President Obama has been courting wealthy donors with a new program called Presidential Partners — the kind of donors who can afford a $75,800 donation to the Obama Victory Fund.
The effort to court deep-pocketed backers comes amid uncertainty about whether Obama will be able to reproduce the level of small donations that were estimated to have made up about half of the $745 million he raised in the 2008 campaign.
That brings me to this haiku:
Prez seeks large donors.
Small donors already gave
at the groc’ry store.
Tags: Barack Obama, Campaign Funds, Campaign Satire, Election Humor, Fund Raising
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Political Limericks, White House | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, May 25th, 2011
Remember when Republicans opposed the automobile industry bailout, slamming Obama for his “government takeover?”
Now that Obama’s auto industry rescue plan is a raging success, Republicans have acknowledged their error and congratulated Obama on a job well done, right?
Hahahahaha!
So can we trust the media to make sure Republicans like Romney, Corker, Pawlenty, Kasich, and their ilk don’t scam people into thinking the bailout was their idea?
You’re kidding, right?
Revisionist History On Auto Pilot
By Madeleine Begun Kane
So what did Republicans say
To auto co bailouts? No way!
But the past they would edit
And try to take credit:
It worked, so that plan was “their” play.
Tags: Auto Industry Bailout, Automobiles, Bankruptcy, Bob Corker, Chrysler, Detroit, General Motors, John Kasich, Media Humor, Michigan, Mitt Romney, Revisionist History, Tim Pawlenty
Posted in Automobiles Satire, Barack Obama, Business Humor, GOP Humor, Media Satire, Mitt Romney Humor, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2011
A good way to gauge a Republican pol’s classiness quotient is his or her response to Osama bin Laden’s killing:
Do they congratulate everyone who deserves credit, including President Obama?
Do they act as if Barack Obama was merely carrying out Bush’s bidding?
Do they pretend Obama doesn’t even exist?
Needless to say, Sarah Palin has failed the classiness test.
Who’s Our President, Again?
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Some Republican comments show class
And give credit where due without sass:
Mitt Romney and Dub
And Pawlenty don’t snub
Prez Obama. But Palin’s an ass.
Tags: Barack Obama, Bin Laden, George W. Bush, Mitt Romney, Osama Bin Laden, Political Speech, Republicans Humor, Sarah Palin, Terrorism, Tim Pawlenty, Usama Bin Laden
Posted in Barack Obama, George Bush Satire, Mitt Romney Humor, National Security Humor, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Sarah Palin, Terrorism | 14 Comments »
Monday, May 2nd, 2011
Limerick Ode To Bin Laden’s Death
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Republicans had a great plan:
Make Barack seem an alien man.
So bin Laden’s demise
(A stunning surprise)
Turns their plot to a flash in the pan.
Tags: Al Qaeda, Barack Obama, Bin Laden, Bin Laden's Death, Birthers, Osama Bin Laden, Republicans Humor, Terrorism, Terrorists, Usama Bin Laden
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Birther Humor, GOP Humor, Military Humor, National Security Humor, Terrorism | 6 Comments »
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011
People tend to assume that Trump owns all the stuff his name is emblazoned on. However, he isn’t nearly as wealthy as he’d have us believe. But he still has his good name. Or does he?
Donald Trump Outsmarts Himself
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Trump is playing a dangerous game:
His most noteworthy asset’s his name.
He gains media drama
With lies re Obama,
But devalues what’s left of his fame.
Tags: Barack Obama, Birthers, Donald Trump, Media Humor
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Birther Humor, Donald Trump, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire | 22 Comments »
Friday, April 22nd, 2011
Hey Birthers, in between mouthing off about Obama and demanding the already-furnished proof that Obama was born in the U.S., I have a fun new assignment for you: How about ranting about Mitt Romney and demanding Romney’s elusive certificate of live birth?
What’s the matter Donald “Birther” Trump? Can’t you afford any more investigators?
Open Limerick To Birthers
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Certifiable birth record pests
Keep beating their paranoid chests.
Yet they don’t have a fit
Over Romney, yes Mitt —
Where’s their int’rest in Mitt-record quests?
Author’s Note: For the record (and for the sarcasm-challenged) I’m confident that both Obama and Romney were born in the United States.
(You can find born-related haiku here.)
Tags: Barack Obama, Birthers, Citizenship Humor, Donald Trump, Mitt Romney, Obama's Birth Certificate, Sarcasm
Posted in Barack Obama, Birther Humor, Donald Trump, Mitt Romney Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Wingnuts | 10 Comments »
Tuesday, April 12th, 2011
Open Limerick To President Obama
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Obama, I’m shocked and appalled
By your deal-making prowess (so-called).
You could turn a royal flush
Into leftover mush.
Your message? “I love being mauled.”
(Related Post: Premature Concession Syndrome — A Remedial Limerick)
Tags: Budget Cuts, Concessions, Legislation Humor, Negotiations, President Obama
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Fiscal Policy, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, White House | 11 Comments »
Monday, April 4th, 2011
I really have to give Newt Gingrich credit — he’s consistent in his visceral hatred for all things Obama. Here’s Newt’s latest gem of a quote in response to President Obama’s reelection campaign announcement:
“Here’s a president who 18 months before the election is going to use his office to extort contributions on a scale we’ve never seen before,” Gingrich said in New Hampshire where he addressed the Institute of Politics at St. Anselm College in Manchester. “He’s in effect trying to create a Chicago style machine for the whole country with a billion dollars.”
That brings me to my latest limerick:
Newt Strikes Out Again
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Here’s another new Newt-think contortion —
(Newt’s brain cells seem packed with distortion.)
He was fine when Prez Bush
Had a fund-raising push.
Let a Dem do the same? It’s extortion.
Tags: Barack Obama, Campaign Satire, Election Humor, Fund Raising, Newt Gingrich
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Newt Gingrich Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 5 Comments »
Friday, March 25th, 2011
I have very mixed feelings about Obama’s handling of Libya and U.S. involvement in military operations against Muammar Gaddafi’s Libya. But unlike Newt Gingrich, I don’t routinely contradict myself on the topic, while pretending to think about running for president.
That Newt’s A Beaut
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Newt Gingrich is caught in a bind
Cuz he can’t resist changing his mind.
Unable to choose
From his Libyan views,
He’s had lots of them — all ill-defined.
There’s a method behind Newt’s mad song:
It’s condemning Obama as wrong.
If Obama should do
What Newt counsels, on cue
Mister Newt to that view says “So long.”
Tags: Barack Obama, Foreign Policy, Libya, Military, Muammar Gaddafi, Newt Gingrich, Presidential Campaign Humor, Republican Hypocrisy, War
Posted in Barack Obama, Foreign Policy, Hypocrisy Humor, Newt Gingrich Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Publicity Hounds, War & Antiwar Poems, White House | 4 Comments »
Thursday, January 27th, 2011
Speaker of the House John Boehner apparently can sleep with his eyes open. How else do we explain his odd (and objectively wrong) criticism of Obama’s State of the Union Speech?
If there’s one thing President Obama did go on about a bit about in the State of the Union, it was American exceptionalism — as the National Journal’s Ron Fournier noted at some length.
Two who didn’t entirely notice were Speaker John Boehner and Kathleen Parker. From Parker-Spitzer:
BOEHNER: Well, they — they’ve refused to talk about America exceptionalism. …
It should also be noted that Obama called Boehner Speaker of “The Greatest Nation on Earth.”
Boehner’s nonsensical complaint inspired my latest limerick:
John Boehner — Exceptionally Wrong
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Exceptionalism was missing
From the SOTU says Boehner, dismissing
Obama’s big speech
Which he tries to impeach.
Not list’ning enables the dissing.
Tags: American Exceptionalism, John Boehner, President Obama, SOTU, Speaker, State Of The Union Address
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Foreign Policy, GOP Humor, John Boehner, Patriotism Poems, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Speeches Satire, White House | 5 Comments »
Friday, January 21st, 2011
Although I have strong feelings about most things political, I don’t care whether Democrats and Republicans adopt Sen. Mark Udall’s (D-CO) proposal to sit together during Obama’s State of the Union address. I suppose it’s a nice civility gesture. But I just don’t think it makes much of a difference one way or another.
That said, I think the frequently uncivil Rep. Paul Broun’s (R-GA) reaction to the mixed seating proposal was absurd:
I already believe very firmly that it is a trap and a ruse that Democrats are proposing. They don’t want civility. They want silence from the Republicans. And the sitting together being kissy-kissy is just another way to try to silence Republicans, and also to show — to keep the American people from seeing how few of them there are in the U.S. House now. Then when people stand up to — what the Democrats are going to be doing when Barack Obama spews out all his venom, then, um, if they’re scattered throughout all the Republicans, then it won’t be as noticeable as if we’re sitting apart.
That brings me to my latest limerick:
Rep. Broun’s SOTU Claptrap
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Rep. Broun is a very odd chap:
Says mixed seating at SOTU’s a “trap.”
When “Obama spews out
All his venom” can’t shout.
Nearby Dems might force poor Broun to clap.
Tags: Civility Humor, Congress Humor, Mark Udall, Mixed Seating, Paul Broun, President Obama, SOTU, State Of The Union Address
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Congress Humor, GOP Humor, House Satire, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Washington, White House, Wingnuts | 2 Comments »
Friday, December 10th, 2010
As you know, most of my limericks mock politicians or the media. But today’s verse is in honor of the great Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) The stand he took today in his Senate filibuster of Obama’s tax deal with the Republicans was wonderful to behold:
Limerick Ode To Bernie Sanders
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Bravo for our hero, dear Bernie.
He’s engaged in a praise-worthy tourney.
He honors the floor—
Shows he’s great to his core.
Wish more Democrats joined in his journey.
(Thanks also to the two Democratic senators who joined him: Sherrod Brown of Ohio and Mary Landrieu of Louisiana.)
Tags: Bernie Sanders, Bush Tax Cut Extension, Filibuster, Fiscal Crisis, Louisiana, Mary Landrieu, Ohio, Sherrod Brown, Taxes, U.S. Senate
Posted in Barack Obama, Bernie Sanders, Filibuster Humor, Fiscal Policy, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, Tax & Budget Humor, White House | 3 Comments »
Thursday, December 9th, 2010
Unlike many of my fellow progressives, I never thought Obama was a liberal. But now I’m beginning to wonder if he’s even a Democrat. In any event, he certainly isn’t a leader.
Needless to say, I’m furious about the Bush tax cut extension deal Obama made with Republicans, and I’m glad that Speaker Pelosi is taking a strong stand against it.
Here’s a pair of limericks about Obama’s abject surrender to the GOP:
A Pair Of Limericks For A Pairless President
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Obama, you’re being a heel
By making this terrible deal.
You’re acting the fool
With this “compromise” gruel
Which will damage our land’s commonweal.
Obama’s demeanor is frayed
He seems ornery, angry, dismayed.
Will he finally fight
The Republican right?
No, he’s mad at the Dems he betrayed.
Tags: Barack Obama, Bush Tax Cut Extension, Economy Satire, Financial Verse, Fiscal Crisis, Nancy Pelosi, Republicans Humor, Taxes
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Democrats Humor, Democrats Satire, Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, GOP Humor, Leadership Humor, Money & Finance Humor, Pelosi Verse, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Tax & Budget Humor, Washington, White House | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
I’ve finally figured out what’s wrong with President Obama: He suffers from PCS (Premature Concession Syndrome.) The latest example is his proposed federal employee wage freeze. But as Rachel Maddow said last night in her Charlie Brown commentary: “This White House consistently gives up its concessions at the start, before getting anything in return.”
Here’s hoping this open limerick to President Obama helps:
Premature Concession Syndrome — A Remedial Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Obama, it’s Law 101
That in deal making don’t jump the gun:
Never give stuff away
With the hope that one day
You might get something back — this ain’t done.
Your opponent will simply want more.
He will threaten to walk out the door
Unless you accede
To his limitless greed.
Learn this rule or you never will score.
You claim that you earned a JD.
I’ve got one of my own, so you see
Why I don’t understand
How you fail to demand
Quid pro quo from the damn GOP.
Tags: Barack Obama, Bipartisanship, Charlie Brown, Concessions, Negotiation, Republicans Humor, Wage Freeze
Posted in Barack Obama, GOP Humor, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Rachel Maddow, Republicans Humor, Washington, White House | 6 Comments »
Thursday, October 28th, 2010
As you know, I think Republican supporters are wrong about everything. But I have to assume they have a good faith belief that Republican pols want to make things better for the American people. And I’d like to think some of them would reevaluate their votes if they knew about the GOP’s real priority.
What am talking about? In an interview with National Journal, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has admitted to a totally different goal:
“The single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president,” McConnell said, adding, “Our single biggest political goal is to give [the Republican] nominee for president the maximum opportunity to be successful.”
There’s no ambiguity here: Republicans are taking a strong stand for partisan politics over good policy. And that leads me to my latest two-verse limerick:
An Open Limerick To Republican Supporters
By Madeleine Begun Kane
To those who are suff’ring frustration
And see GOP wins as salvation,
Those pols led by Mitch
Dragged us into this ditch
And will not do what’s good for our nation.
No, they won’t get us out of this hole,
Cuz McConnell has one single goal:
Make the Prez a one-termer,
He brags — does not murmur.
So please think when you go to the poll.
Tags: Campaign Satire, Election Humor, GOP Humor, Kentucky, Mitch McConnell, National Journal, Obama Verse, Partisan Politics, Republican Humor, Senate Satire, Voting Limerick
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Kentucky Humor, Partisanship Satire, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Senate Satire, Voting Satire, White House | 7 Comments »
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010
Every so often I sum up a period in alpha-political verse. For instance, I did one about the opening months of the Obama administration. I also did two about the Bush administration, one a not-so-fond farewell to Bush and Cheney and the other a satirical summary of their disastrous first term.
This mid-term election period has been so bizarre, that I couldn’t resist doing another one:
Alpha-Political Verse: Election 2010
By Madeleine Begun Kane
A is for Alaska, whose incumbent needs good spelling.
B is for Barack. The GOP sure wants his dwelling.
C is for Christine who’s anti-gay and masturbation.
D’s for Delaware debates, where laughter ain’t ovation.
E is for elections. Dems lose bad — so say the seers.
F’s for foreign cash galore supporting GOPers.
G is for Glenn Beck and all the crazy stuff he says.
H is for Sec. Hillary. Too bad that gal ain’t Prez.
I’s for Darrell Issa who is itching to impeach.
J is for John Boehner — smells majority in reach.
K is for Ken Mehlman who is fin’ly out as gay.
L’s for Libertarians who, like Rand, to regs say “Nay!”
M is for Joe Miller — seems he doesn’t like the press.
N’s for Speaker Nancy P. Her House is sure a mess.
O’s For Bill O’Reilly versus Joy and Whoopi. Wow!
P’s for Paladino. Angry bully? Yes, and how!
Q’s for all the questions the extremists won’t address.
R’s for Reid’s tough Angle bout. I’m worried, I confess.
S is for Mike Steele who claims to run the RNC.
T is for the Tenthers and their anti-fed law spree.
U is for our Union which secessionists would flee.
V is for the voters drinking Kool-Aid-flavored tea.
W’s for the many wars we’re fighting — can’t keep track.
X is for the xenophobic anti-“other” pack.
Y is for the youth. We really need them at the polls.
And Z’s for right-wing zealots. We must squash their ugly goals.
Tags: Campaign Satire, Election Humor, Extremist Candidates, GOP Humor, Obama Verse, Voting Limerick, Wingnuts
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Congress Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, House Satire, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Polls, Republicans Humor, Senate Satire, Voting Satire | 3 Comments »
Thursday, October 14th, 2010
Jonathan Chait does a great job explaining what a Republican win would mean: If Republicans gain control of the House, they will almost certainly impeach President Obama on some flimsy pretext.
Chait’s lowdown on Darrell Issa, the itching-for-impeachment would-be chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, is a must-read.
Guess Who’s Itching For Impeachment (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The Republican threat is in reach:
Take over the House — then impeach.
What’s the crime? It’s a gem:
Prez Obama’s a Dem!
So please vote. We can’t risk such a breach.
Tags: Campaign Satire, Darrell Issa, Election Humor, House Republicans, Impeachment, Jonathan Chait, President Obama
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Congress Humor, Darrell Issa, Election Satire, Faux Controversies, House Satire, Impeachment Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Voting Satire, Washington, White House, Wingnuts | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
Dear President Obama:
Please enlighten me. What exactly is your strategy to win back your base and persuade liberals to vote this November?
Does your plan involve pissing off progressives even more? Does it entail compensating for your lack of strength and progressive vision by blaming progressives for our own apathy?
If so, then you’re doing a really good job.
Obama’s Half-Assed Message (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Obama, you’re right — Dems must vote.
But there’s something I simply must note:
You’re weak and a muck up.
Don’t tell your base “Buck up!”
All you’re doing is getting our goat.
Tags: Campaign Satire, Democratic Enthusiasm Gap, Election Humor, GOTV, Liberals Satire, Obama Verse, Progressives, Voter Apathy
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Democrats Satire, Donkeys & Elephants, Election Satire, Leadership Humor, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Voting Satire, White House | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, August 10th, 2010
I was both annoyed and amused by Robert Gibbs’ anti-left freak out. Apparently, we progressives don’t sufficiently appreciate President Obama — wa wa wa!
Gibbs’ subsequent apology for his “inartful” attack on the left doesn’t mitigate the need for this open limerick to Mr. Gibbs and his boss:
Open Limerick To Robert Gibbs and President Obama
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Mr. Gibbs is thin-skinned, it appears.
From the left, he wants only big cheers.
But lefties just seek
A Dem Prez who ain’t weak.
White House courage is deep in arrears.
This verse is for Robert Gibbs’ boss.
Ignoring the left is your loss.
And a loss for the nation.
Our former elation
Is gone with your liberal gloss.
Tags: Anti-Left Rants, Liberals, Obama Verse, Progressives, Robert Gibbs, White House
Posted in Barack Obama, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, White House | 4 Comments »
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010
President Obama is hoping Americans won’t have “selective memory” and blame him for problems he inherited from Bush. Unfortunately they do, as this poll illustrates:
Only about a third of Americans (34%) know that the government’s bailout of banks and financial institutions was enacted under the Bush administration. Nearly half (47%) incorrectly say that the Troubled Asset Relief Program – widely known as TARP – was signed into law by President Obama.
And you can bet that the bailout misinformation percentage is a lot higher for the virulently anti-bailout crowd. It sure would be nice if they knew the truth about the bailout:
For the record, the financial industry bailout passed in October 2008. It was requested by a conservative Republican administration (George W. Bush and Dick Cheney). It was enthusiastically endorsed by the House Republican leadership (John Boehner, Eric Cantor, and Roy Blunt), the Senate Republican leadership (Mitch McConnell and Jon Kyl), both members of the Republican presidential ticket (John McCain and Sarah Palin), and assorted, high-profile conservative voices (Mitt Romney and Glenn Beck).
That leads me to my latest limerick:
Selective Memories Bail Out Bush
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Disliking Obama is fine,
But please be correct when you whine.
Don’t like bailouts of banks?
It’s to Bush you owe “thanks.”
Was it signed by Obama? No! Nein!
Tags: Bank Bailout, Barack Obama, Economy Satire, Financial Bailout, Financial Verse, George W. Bush, Selective Memory, TARP
Posted in Barack Obama, Business Humor, Economy Humor, Fiscal Policy, George Bush Satire, Money & Finance Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Polls, TARP Humor, Tax & Budget Humor, White House | Comments Off on Selective Memories Bail Out Bush
Revisionist History On Auto Pilot
Wednesday, May 25th, 2011Remember when Republicans opposed the automobile industry bailout, slamming Obama for his “government takeover?”
Now that Obama’s auto industry rescue plan is a raging success, Republicans have acknowledged their error and congratulated Obama on a job well done, right?
Hahahahaha!
So can we trust the media to make sure Republicans like Romney, Corker, Pawlenty, Kasich, and their ilk don’t scam people into thinking the bailout was their idea?
You’re kidding, right?
Revisionist History On Auto Pilot
By Madeleine Begun Kane
So what did Republicans say
To auto co bailouts? No way!
But the past they would edit
And try to take credit:
It worked, so that plan was “their” play.
Tags: Auto Industry Bailout, Automobiles, Bankruptcy, Bob Corker, Chrysler, Detroit, General Motors, John Kasich, Media Humor, Michigan, Mitt Romney, Revisionist History, Tim Pawlenty
Posted in Automobiles Satire, Barack Obama, Business Humor, GOP Humor, Media Satire, Mitt Romney Humor, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor | 4 Comments »