Archive for the ‘Election Satire’ Category
Saturday, March 6th, 2010
A right-winger has to go pretty far to be criticized by both the left and the right. But Liz Cheney and her Keep America Safe organization have managed to do it with their McCarthy-like attacks on U.S. Justice Department lawyers, smearing and demonizing them as terrorist sympathizers for their previous legal work defending Gitmo detainees.
This brings me to my latest two-verse limerick:
Liz Cheney: Chip Off The Old Crock
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Has Cheney gone stark raving mad?
I’m speaking of Liz — not her dad.
Now even some peers
Are attacking her smears
As McCarthy-like. Talk about sad!
When her natural allies cry foul,
She’s applying her lies with a trowel.
If she fails to give in
And fess up to her sin,
She’ll end up with a Dick Cheney scowl.
Related Posts: Liz Cheney’s Song and Ode To The Deceitful Cheneys
Tags: Gitmo, Justice Department, Keep America Safe, Lawyers, Legal Verse, Liz Cheney, McCarthy-like Smears, Richard Cheney, Terrorists
Posted in Campaign Humor, Dick Cheney Satire, Election Satire, Gitmo Humor, GOP Humor, Law Satire, Legal Limericks, Liz Cheney, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Terrorism, White House, Wingnuts | 4 Comments »
Monday, February 15th, 2010
Senator Evan Bayh (Pretend-Dem-Indiana) has announced that he won’t seek reelection this year. The conserva-Dem’s stated reason? Partisan gridlock is blocking progress.
While this is being viewed as a huge loss for Democrats and a great pick-up op for Republicans, I sure won’t miss Blue Dog Bayh. His so-called moderation and his unrelenting push for compromise with uncompromising Republicans has been a large impediment to passing progressive legislation.
And that brings me to my latest limerick:
Senator Bayh, Buh Bye!
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Sen. Bayh will not run again. Why?
Cuz there’s “not enough progress.” How wry!
He says partisanship
Is the cause. Here’s a tip:
Our problem is DINOS like Bayh.
Tags: Blue Dogs, Conserva-Dems, DINOs, Election Humor, Evan Bayh, Indiana, Partisan Gridlock, Partisanship Humor
Posted in Blue Dogs Humor, Democrats Satire, Election Satire, Evan Bayh Satire, Legislation Humor, Partisanship Satire, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Senate Satire, Washington | 7 Comments »
Monday, January 25th, 2010
In the wake of the Massachusetts election debacle, I keep naively expecting Democrats to wake up and smell the need to stop acting like patsies.
Any minute now (I tell myself) Dems under Obama’s leadership will call a halt to the futile act of making nice with Republicans (and Blue Dogs) and will start pursuing a truly progressive agenda.
But, alas, Democrats seem to have learned exactly the wrong lesson from losing Ted Kennedy’s Senate seat to a Republican.
And that brings me to my latest limerick:
Ode To Weak-Kneed Democrats
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Obama and co are you nuts?
Or did someone abscond with your guts?
If you act like you’re weak
All your power will leak,
Hurling Dems out of town on their butts.
********
Some related posts from Think Progress, Common Dreams, Susie Madrak, and Steve Benen.
Tags: Blue Dogs, Democratic Leadership, Election Humor, Legislation Satire, Massachusetts, Progressive Agenda
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Congress Humor, Election Satire, Filibuster Humor, GOP Humor, Leadership Humor, Legislation Humor, Martha Coakley, Media Satire, Minority Rights Humor, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Scott Brown, Senate Satire, Washington, White House | Comments Off on Ode To Weak-Kneed Democrats
Monday, January 25th, 2010
There’s nothing funny about the U.S. Supreme Court’s activist ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Overruling long-held precedents, it gives corporations free rein to buy political influence, all in the name of “corporate personhood” and “free speech.”
Nor is there anything funny about the hypocrisy of self-described anti-judicial-activism Republicans who laud this calamitous decision.
And, alas, there’s nothing funny about this limerick:
Democracy’s Demise?
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Justice Roberts and co are unbound,
Driving precedents precious aground.
Yet Republicans cheer,
And the sobs that we hear
Are the sounds of democracy drowned.
********
Lance Mannion managed to extract some humor from this judicial travesty.
Tags: Campaign Finance Reform, Citizens United, Corporate Personhood, Democracy, First Amendment, Free Speech, Justice John Roberts, Legal Verse, U.S. Supreme Court
Posted in Campaign Humor, Constitution Humor, Constitutional Crisis, Democracy Humor, Election Satire, FEC Satire, Free Speech, Hypocrisy Humor, Judiciary Satire, Law Satire, Legal Limericks, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Supreme Court | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010
I’ve been searching for a positive note in the Massachusetts election debacle and its effect on health care reform and Obama’s agenda. And I’ve finally found the one up side to Democrat Martha Coakley’s upset loss to Republican Scott Brown:
Joe “Vote 60” No Mo’ (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Joe Lieberman’s blue — in a pout.
Massachusetts has cost him some clout:
Mr. “Me-Me-My-Mine”
Now just “Vote 59.”
Dems are screwed with his vote or without.
Tags: Joe Lieberman, Martha Coakley, Massachusetts, Scott Brown
Posted in Barack Obama, Democrats Satire, Election Satire, Filibuster Humor, Health Satire, Joe Lieberman, Legislation Humor, Martha Coakley, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Scott Brown, Senate Satire | 3 Comments »
Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
Are prominent right-wingers acting as unpaid PR agents for al Qaeda, in their zeal to undermine Obama?
In a word — yes! After all, the purpose of terrorism is to scare people into overreaction. So when GOP attack dogs like Dick Cheney, Liz Cheney, Michael Steele, Bill Kristol, Pete King, Pete Hoekstra, Jim DeMint and countless others characterize a failed terrorist attack as a success and try to terrify the public, they are unwittingly helping al Qaeda.
That leads me to my latest limerick:
Al-Qaeda Talking Points?
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Michael and Peter and Dick,
Your Obama vendetta is sick.
Cuz behavior like yours —
Turning flops into scores —
Creates fear, which makes terrorists tick.
Tags: Abdulmutallab, Al Qaeda, Bill Kristol, Dick Cheney Satire, GOP Attack Dogs, Jim DeMint, Liz Cheney, Michael Steele, Obama, Pete Hoekstra, Peter King, Terrorism
Posted in Barack Obama, Bill Kristol, Dick Cheney Satire, Election Satire, George Bush Satire, GOP Humor, James DeMint, Liz Cheney, Michael Steele, National Security Humor, Pete Hoekstra, Peter King, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Terrorism, White House | 2 Comments »
Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
Removing the Medicare buy-in from the Senate health reform bill (to appease Senator Lieberman) was the last straw for Howard Dean. Dean says, “Kill the Senate Bill,” and I’m inclined to agree:
This is essentially the collapse of health care reform in the United States Senate. And, honestly, the best thing to do right now is kill the Senate bill and go back to the House and start the reconciliation process, where you only need 51 votes and it would be a much simpler bill.
I blame President Obama for this health reform fiasco. For it’s Obama who empowered Joe Lieberman to blackmail the Senate and hold health reform hostage.
And that brings me to my latest double limerick:
Dressing Down The President
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Obama, your job is to lead.
You have failed. So has Senator Reid.
Seems you’d sign any swill
Labeled “health reform bill,”
And then brag that we’ve got what we need.
Yes, you’ve tragic’ly blown your great chance.
So spare us the song and the dance.
Though many will swear
You’ve done much for our care,
I am sorry — the prez has no pants.
Tags: Budget Reconciliation, Governor Dean, Harry Reid, Health Insurance, Health Reform, Lieberman, Medicare Buy-In, Obama
Posted in Barack Obama, Democrats Satire, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Harry Reid, Health Satire, Howard Dean, Insurance Humor, Joe Lieberman, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Senate Satire, White House | 12 Comments »
Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009
Somebody please explain why the garbage and lies spewed by Richard Cheney are routinely treated like they’re gospel. Dick makes George W. Bush look like a statesman, for heaven sakes. And yet media outlets love to present the former Veep’s vicious distortions and malicious rants virtually without challenge.
The latest example is Politico’s regurgitation of Cheney’s lengthy tirade against President Obama. A tirade, I might add, made on the eve of Obama’s Afghanistan troop buildup speech at West Point.
Politico deserves a double limerick, don’t you think?
Dick Cheney’s Steno Pool (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Politico, kindly explain
Why you act like Dick Cheney is sane.
You repeat all his lies
Like they’re truthful and wise.
Your stenography’s worse than inane.
Richard Cheney has harmed our great nation.
Yet you act like each Cheney quotation
Is golden and true,
Worth transcribing on cue.
You’re not journos — you just take dictation.
UPDATE: Unbelievable! Apparently the Pulitzer Board is fond of Cheney’s steno pool. It just elected Jim VandeHei, executive editor and co-founder of Politico, to the Pulitzer Board. Can a Pulitzer Prize for Drudge be far behind?
Related Posts: Ode To Fresh Faces; and Bush & Cheney’s Blunderland Song Parody
Tags: Afghanistan Strategy, Dick Cheney Humor, Drudge Humor, Media Humor, Politico, Pulitzer Prize
Posted in Barack Obama, Dick Cheney Satire, Election Satire, George Bush Satire, GOP Humor, Media Satire, National Security Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, War & Antiwar Poems, White House | 7 Comments »
Monday, November 30th, 2009
By now you’ve surely heard about the GOP’s proposed conservative “purity test,” a ten-point litmus test advocated by James Bopp Jr. and others to weed out party “undesirables.”
Under this test (Reagan’s Unity Principle for Support of Candidates), if you’re not right-wing enough to pass muster on at least eight of ten position points, you forfeit RNC support.
How ironic and amusing that Ronald Reagan, the “purity test’s” namesake, couldn’t come close to passing it.
And that brings me to my latest double limerick:
Testy Republicans
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Some Republicans want to ensure
That all of its members are pure:
Wrong on 3 of 10 planks?
Then it’s “Sorry, no thanks,”
Cuz you’re lacking in wingnut allure.
So how odd that their “God” would not pass
This purity test — what a gas!
Reagan’s record is clear:
He would fail, were he here.
Yet he’s Prez nonpareil, under grass.
Tags: Election Humor, GOP Humor, Irony, James Bopp, Purity Test, RNC, Ronald Reagan, Wingnuts
Posted in Election Satire, GOP Humor, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, RNC Humor, Ronald Reagan, Wingnuts | 8 Comments »
Thursday, November 5th, 2009
On behalf of my fellow New Yorkers, I want to thank Sarah Palin for her generous gift to the State of New York. Palin’s leadership in driving moderates like Dede Scozzafava out of the Republican party handed New York Democrats a Congressional Seat (District 23) that had eluded Dems for well over a century.
Thanks also to Dick Armey for his help in electing Democrat Bill Owens. (I understand Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman has a big, wet kiss for Dick Armey too.)
And now it’s time for a limerick:
Celebrating Sarah
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Sarah, your meddling is great.
I just love what you did to my state.
Your GOP purge
Will make Democrats surge
As you spread anti-moderates hate.
Tags: Bill Owens, Congress Humor, Conservative Party, Dede Scozzafava, Democrats, Dick Armey, Doug Hoffman, New York, Republican Moderates, Republicans Humor, Sarah Palin
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, House Satire, New York Politics, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Publicity Hounds, Republicans Humor, Sarah Palin, Wingnuts | 2 Comments »
Sunday, October 11th, 2009
Remember when you could tell the difference between right-wing loons and your average Republican politician? Unfortunately, that distinction is rapidly vanishing. And Republican reaction to 1) Obama’s Nobel Peace Prize win; and 2) Chicago’s failure to land the Olympics are but two recent examples.
Ode To Party-First Republicans (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
When the Prez wins a prize, wingnuts sneer.
When we lose the Olympics, they cheer.
“Country first,” they once said.
Seems that sentiment’s dead.
If Barack killed bin Laden, they’d jeer.
Tags: Bin Laden, Chicago, Nobel Peace Prize, Obama, Olympics, Patriotism Humor, Republican Hypocrisy
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, George Bush Satire, GOP Humor, Hypocrisy Humor, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House, Wingnuts | 2 Comments »
Tuesday, September 29th, 2009
Newt Gingrich, you’ve got some ‘splainin’ to do! Please tell me how someone who has repeatedly railed against bilingualism can launch a bilingual website. The Americano, a news site for Hispanic-Americans, is a transparent effort to lure memory-impaired Latinos over to the GOP.
A two-verse limerick in honor of the hypocritical Newt Gingrich:
Newt’s Bilingual Newspeak
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Here’s a long-standing view from the right:
Education bilingual’s a blight.
That’s how Newt has opined.
Dearest Newt, changed your mind?
Quite the pander — your bilingual site.
Guess you’re hoping Latinos forget
Your stance that bilingual’s all wet,
That they’ll vote GOP.
But Latinos shall see
Through your bilingual lies on the Net.
Related Posts: Hark! The Disgraced Former Speaker Speaks; and Ode To Fresh Faces
Tags: Bilingual Education, Hispanics, Latinos, Media, Newspeak, Newt Gingrich, Republican Hypocrisy
Posted in Bilingualism, Education Limerick, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Hypocrisy Humor, Media Satire, Newt Gingrich Humor, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | 5 Comments »
Sunday, July 5th, 2009
Why does Sarah Palin need to be Alaska’s governor, when she has Facebook?
Translating Sarah
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The media’s mean, so I quit:
(That’s the message that Palin has writ.)
And you don’t need a title
To do something vital.
I’m betting she runs against Mitt.
Tags: Alaska, Facebook, Governor Palin, Governors, Media, Republican Humor
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Facebook Verse, Governors Humor, Media Satire, Mitt Romney Humor, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Sarah Palin | 2 Comments »
Sunday, July 5th, 2009
Help! I can’t keep those Republican governors straight. For instance, why is Sarah Palin giving up her Alaska Governor gig? Some sort of wildlife scandal involving “dead fish” and a “lame duck?”
Flailin’ Palin (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Political blogs are atwitter
With news of Gov. Palin, the quitter.
Is it scandal or plans
To join prez also-rans?
Once aglitter, she’s GOP litter.
Tags: Alaska, Governor Palin, Governors, Lame Duck, Republicans Humor, Scandals
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Governors Humor, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Sarah Palin, White House | 7 Comments »
Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
Back in 2004 I summed up George Bush’s first term in my Alpha Politics. So it seems only appropriate to do the same for the Bush-Cheney second term. (Most of the links point to one of my satirical posts on the topic.)
A is for Jack Abramoff who’s big in pay-to-play.
B’s for greedy bankers who have fleeced the USA.
C is for Sen. Craig who isn’t gay, except in bed.
D is for democracy which Dubya hasn’t spread.
E’s for the economy which George and Dick destroyed.
F’s for filibuster. You need merely say the “woid”.
G’s for Giuliani who is 9-1-1 obsessed.
H is for hypocrisy — the right-wing does it best.
I is for impeachment which Bush/Cheney sure deserve.
J’s for Joe The Plumber — right-wing symbol. What a nerve!
K is for Ms. Kennedy, the would-be New York Sen.
L is for Joe Lieberman, the worst of traitor men.
M’s for John McCain who zigged and zagged till he was hoarse.
N is for Ralph Nader who is still without remorse.
O is for O’Reilly — shuts up those who disagree.
P is for Gov. Palin who has “saved” the GOP.
Q is for the air quotes placed by John on mother’s “health.”
R is for recession — say goodbye to all your wealth.
S is for Gov. Spitzer. Prostitution did him in.
T is for the terrorists, now savoring their win.
U is for the USA, on life support right now.
V is for the victor. Prez Obama take a bow.
W’s for the White House left by Bush in disarray.
X is for the X’ing out of Bush regs any day.
Y’s for “Yes, we can,” Barack Obama’s sanguine creed.
And Z’s for right-wing zealots who methinks are off their feed.
Tags: Bush Administration, Dick Cheney Humor, George Bush Satire, McCain Campaign, Obama Verse, White House
Posted in Dick Cheney Satire, Election Satire, George Bush Satire, GOP Humor, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | 10 Comments »
Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
The Dems cave and give Joe Lieberman a meaningless punishment. What a surprise!
Democrats hand Joe
A tiny slap on the wrist.
Thumbs down to the Dems.
Tags: Campaign Satire, Election Humor, Filibuster, Harry Reid, Homeland Security Chairman, Joe Lieberman, Lieberman Haiku, Senate Democrats, Senate Majority
Posted in Campaign Humor, Democrats Satire, Election Satire, Joe Lieberman, News Haiku & Senryu, Political Haiku & Senryu, Senate Satire | 1 Comment »
Friday, November 7th, 2008
Now that the Democratic Senate majority has grown so much, Harry Reid plans to strip Joe Lieberman of his Homeland Security Committee chairmanship, even if Joe continues to caucus with the Democrats. Sounds great to me! (Update: Lieberman’s chairmanship status will be determined by a secret Democratic Senate caucus vote on November 18th.)
Of course, Lieberman thinks Reid’s being mean and unfair. Cuz apparently Dems are supposed to just look the other way after Lieberman disses Obama and campaigns enthusiastically for McCain, Palin and down-ticket Republicans.
Joe’s even intimating that he may caucus with the Republicans. Well I, for one, say good riddance, and I hope Harry Reid (and his fellow Dems) stick to their guns. Lieberman can’t be trusted to back Dems when it comes to filibusters, so who needs him?
And now it’s time for a limerick:
Ode To “Traitor” Joe Lieberman
By Madeleine Begun Kane
“Traitor” Joe is distressed — I don’t care.
He deserves to be stripped of his chair.
Cuz when push comes to shove
He shows Lieberman-love.
Mitch can take him … and buyer beware!
Tags: Campaign, Caucus, Democrats, Election, Filibuster, Harry Reid, Homeland Security, Lieberman, Limericks, Obama, Satire, Senate Satire, Traitors, Verse
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Filibuster Humor, Joe Lieberman, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Senate Satire | Comments Off on Ode To “Traitor” Joe Lieberman (Updated)
Wednesday, November 5th, 2008
Congratulations to Senators Obama and Biden. An historic election has come to a wonderful conclusion:
Celebratory Limerick
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Obama, congrats on your win.
You have done it. You’ve won it. You’re in!
Now your job will be tough.
(Please don’t take any guff.)
Let the national healing begin!
Tags: Biden, Campaign, Celebrations, Election, History, Limericks, McCain, Obama, Verse
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Joe Biden, John McCain, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Sarah Palin | 4 Comments »
Sunday, November 2nd, 2008
An Obsessive’s Lament (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Writing verse about Palin’s been fun.
But enough! I must know who has won.
Although something disturbs me,
Alarms and perturbs me:
Just what shall I do when it’s done?
Tags: Campaign, Election, Election Results, Humor, McCain, Mental Health, Obsession, Obsessives, Palin, Poem, Presidential Election, Satire, Verse, Winners
Posted in Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, John McCain, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Sarah Palin | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, October 29th, 2008
Whenever John McCain is asked about Sarah Palin’s qualifications, he falls back on the paternal-sounding (and condescending) “I couldn’t be more proud” of Palin response. But something tells me he doesn’t use the word “proud” in private:
McCain & Palin: The Not Ready For Prime Time Duo
By Madeleine Begun Kane
There’s a ticket that can’t get along
Cuz the chemistry’s totally wrong.
John may claim to be proud
Of Gov. Palin out loud.
But his eyes say, “Give Sarah the gong!”
Tags: Campaign, Election, GOP, Humor, Limericks, McCain, Palin, Presidential, Prime Time, Republicans Humor, Satire, Verse
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, John McCain, Political Limericks, Republicans Humor, Sarah Palin | 1 Comment »
Senator Bayh, Buh Bye!
Monday, February 15th, 2010Senator Evan Bayh (Pretend-Dem-Indiana) has announced that he won’t seek reelection this year. The conserva-Dem’s stated reason? Partisan gridlock is blocking progress.
While this is being viewed as a huge loss for Democrats and a great pick-up op for Republicans, I sure won’t miss Blue Dog Bayh. His so-called moderation and his unrelenting push for compromise with uncompromising Republicans has been a large impediment to passing progressive legislation.
And that brings me to my latest limerick:
Senator Bayh, Buh Bye!
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Sen. Bayh will not run again. Why?
Cuz there’s “not enough progress.” How wry!
He says partisanship
Is the cause. Here’s a tip:
Our problem is DINOS like Bayh.
Tags: Blue Dogs, Conserva-Dems, DINOs, Election Humor, Evan Bayh, Indiana, Partisan Gridlock, Partisanship Humor
Posted in Blue Dogs Humor, Democrats Satire, Election Satire, Evan Bayh Satire, Legislation Humor, Partisanship Satire, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Senate Satire, Washington | 7 Comments »