Archive for the ‘Political Speeches’ Category
Tuesday, January 22nd, 2013
Republican pols, most notably John McCain, didn’t find Obama’s second inaugural address sufficiently conciliatory. Here’s McCain:
“There was very little reaching out to the other side,” he said. “It was a fine speech, but I didn’t hear any conciliatory remarks. I didn’t see any specific reference like, ‘I reach out my hand to the other side of the aisle.’ “
Limerick Ode To McCain, The Conciliator
By Madeleine Begun Kane
As Obama’s Inaugural wraps,
John McCain now complains of a lapse:
Just where in the speech
Does the President reach
Cross the aisle to invite some more slaps?
Tags: Barack Obama, Inaugural Address, Inauguration, John McCain, Political Speech
Posted in Barack Obama, Election Satire, GOP Humor, John McCain, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | 5 Comments »
Monday, October 8th, 2012
So, is everyone impressed with Mitt Romney’s big deal foreign policy speech?
I didn’t think so.
Limerick Ode To “Tough Guy” Romney
By Madeleine Begun Kane
He’ll speak loudly and wave a big stick:
That would summarize Mitt Romney’s schtick
Foreign policy-wise.
Sounds a lot like those guys
Who made rather a mess — Dub and Dick.
Tags: Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Foreign Policy, George W. Bush, Mitt Romney, Political Speech, Richard Cheney
Posted in Campaign Humor, Dick Cheney Satire, Election Satire, Foreign Policy, George Bush Satire, GOP Humor, Mitt Romney Humor, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, White House | 4 Comments »
Wednesday, April 25th, 2012
Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) gave a speech today at the Brookings Institution. His appearance featured this amusing gaffe:
“I left my last page of the speech, does anyone have my last page? Did I Ieave it with you?”
Now such a slip-up wouldn’t ordinarily be limerick-worthy. However, Rubio seems to have a “glass house” problem:
Rubio calls President Obama “the most articulate and talented teleprompter reader in America,” a line that drew big laughter and applause in East Manatee.
Limerick Ode To Marco Rubio
By Madeleine Begun Kane
How ironic that Rubio’s known
To have thrown a speech-mockery stone
At Barack. It’s self-bruising
And rather amusing
When Rubio screws up his own.
Tags: Barack Obama, Brookings Institution, Florida, Gaffes, Glass Houses, Marco Rubio, Political Speech, Speeches, Teleprompter
Posted in Barack Obama, Florida Humor, GOP Humor, Marco Rubio, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Speeches Satire | 3 Comments »
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012
If any Republican operative should know not to joke about killing President Obama, it’s pollster/wordsmith Frank Luntz. And yet that’s precisely what he did:
If you think the race for the Republican presidential nomination has been ugly, you’re right. However, a recent joke by Republican pollster and Fox News analyst Frank Luntz indicates that the general election promises to be even uglier. Warming up a crowd at a Rick Santorum campaign event Monday night, Luntz cracked, “I have a ‘Run, Barack, Run’ bumper sticker, but I put it on the front of my car.
Here’s Rachel Maddow’s story on this, including the video of Luntz’s running-President-Obama-over joke.
Frank Luntz’s Killer Of A Joke (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
The Republican messaging czar
Is an expert at framing — a star.
Yet he loves to tee-hee
That Obama must flee,
Or be struck by a GOP car.
Tags: Assassination Jokes, Barack Obama, Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Fox News, Framing Humor, Frank Luntz, Political Bumper Stickers, Political Messaging, Pollsters, Rachel Maddow, Republican Operatives, Rick Santorum, Run Barack Run, Tasteless Jokes
Posted in Automobiles Satire, Barack Obama, Election Satire, Fox News Humor, Frank Luntz, GOP Humor, Political Jokes & One-Liners, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Rick Santorum, RNC Humor | Comments Off on Frank Luntz’s Killer Of A Joke (Limerick)
Tuesday, January 10th, 2012
By now you’ve surely seen Mitt Romney’s “I like being able to fire people” video clip.
Ode To Mitt “I like being able to fire people” Romney
By Madeleine Begun Kane
“I like … to fire people,”
Said Mitt Romney, with a smile.
This quote, while out-of-context,
Will be sure to irk and rile.
And well it should: The pleasure
Mitt conveys with eyes aglow
Reveals that Mitt seems happy
Telling people, “Time to go.”
No doubt he’ll claim unfairness:
He meant those who’d earned his boot,
And ads that use this sound bite
Are misleading. What a hoot!
Mitt Romney’s out-of-context ads
Are packed with sneaky bile,
Defaming his opponents,
And misleading by a mile.
It’s Mitt who set the standard:
Once a word’s been said, it’s game.
So if context doesn’t matter,
Here’s to treating Mitt the same.
Tags: Campaign Satire, Dishonesty Humor, Election Humor, Employment, Employment Humor, Mitt Romney, Political Ads, Republican Hypocrisy
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Hypocrisy Humor, Mitt Romney Humor, Political Ads, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Speeches Satire | 2 Comments »
Friday, January 6th, 2012
Rick Santorum must think we’re stupid. He’s claiming that his racist reference to “black people” and welfare was really a reference to “blah people.”
Limerick Ode To Rick “Blah” Santorum
By Madeleine Begun Kane
If you’re black, Rick Santorum’s a fan.
That’s true, be you woman or man.
But to folks who are “blah”
Rick Santorum says “Nah!”
It’s the “blah” people Ricky will pan.
Tags: Black People, Blah People, Campaign Satire, Election Humor, John King, Racism, Rick Santorum, Welfare
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Rick Santorum | 5 Comments »
Friday, December 2nd, 2011
New York Magazine’s Dana Amira has the numerical dirt on something that’s annoyed me for decades: Newt Gingrich’s over-use of pretentious words like profoundly, deeply, frankly, and fundamentally.
Limerick Ode To Newt “The Thinker” Gingrich
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Frankly speaking, Newt likes to amass
Pompous adverbs to give himself class.
He feigns gravitas soundly
With deeply, profoundly.
Fundamentally, Newt is an ass.
Tags: Campaign Satire, Dana Amira, Election Humor, Language Satire, New York Magazine, Newt Gingrich, Pomposity, Presidential Campaign Humor, Republicans Humor, Speeches
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, GOP Humor, Language Humor, Newt Gingrich Humor, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Republicans Humor, Speeches Satire | Comments Off on Limerick Ode To Newt “The Thinker” Gingrich
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011
This devout progressive has been very hard on Obama lately … and with good reason. But the debt ceiling debacle, liberal anger, and sinking poll numbers seem to have woken him up. Suddenly, Obama is the new, improved, assertive, populist President. And many former fans are welcoming back the President they thought they elected.
So, am I cheering? Well, let’s just say I’m giving Obama guarded applause. For while I like some of his jobs and tax proposals, and I love his newly confident, aggressive tone, I’m not convinced that any of this will last.
And that brings me to my latest limerick:
Limerick Ode To The New, Improved Obama
By Madeleine Begun Kane
It fin’ly has dawned on Barack
That with lib’rals he’s lost lots of stock.
His base and foundation
Could be his salvation.
I just hope his new stance ain’t a crock.
Tags: Barack Obama, Jobs, Legislation Humor, Liberals, Progressives, Tax Policy
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Democrats Humor, Fiscal Policy, Legislation Humor, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Tax & Budget Humor, Washington, White House | 4 Comments »
Thursday, September 15th, 2011
John Boehner’s jobs speech was rather hypocritical, as Greg Sargent points out. Sargent highlights two rather inconsistent sentences:
“If we want to create a better environment for job creation, politicians of all stripes can leave the ‘my way or the highway’ philosophy behind.”
And there was also this:
“Tax increases, however, are not a viable option for the Joint Committee.”
Such hypocrisy cries out for a limerick:
Limerick Ode To John Boehner
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Boehner’s job speech surprised me a tad.
He said, My way or highway is bad.
Sounded promising till
He continued, No bill
Will raise taxes. Hypocrisy’s sad.
Tags: Greg Sargent, Jobs, John Boehner, Political Speech, Republican Hypocrisy, Taxes
Posted in Hypocrisy Humor, John Boehner, Legislation Humor, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Republicans Humor | 7 Comments »
Thursday, September 1st, 2011
I’ve bemoaned Obama’s bad negotiation skills in the past. But the latest brouhaha over a date to speak before Congress really takes the cake:
Limerick Ode To A Speech Spat
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Dear Obama, you waged a dumb fight
Over speech dates, and lost — not too bright!
Tell me, how did you make
Such a rookie mistake?
It’s no wonder your wins are so slight.
Tags: Barack Obama, Congress Humor, Negotiation, Presidential Speech, Speech Spat, Speeches
Posted in Barack Obama, Congress Humor, John Boehner, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, White House | 5 Comments »
Thursday, September 1st, 2011
I can’t believe I’m writing this, but I almost feel sorry for Christine O’Donnell. No, I’m not talking about O’Donnell’s paltry book sales. I’m referring to her being bigfooted by Sarah Palin out of an appearance at a Tea Party of America rally.
Limerick Ode To Sarah “Bigfoot” Palin
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Sarah Palin’s a very spoiled brat.
To other gal pols she says, “Scat!”
Prima donna bar none —
She would bar ev’ry one,
Looking down from her very high hat.
Tags: Christine O'Donnell, Sarah Palin, Tea Party Nation
Posted in Christine O'Donnell, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Sarah Palin, Tea Parties | 3 Comments »
Monday, August 29th, 2011
The current crop of Republicans is notoriously callous, and Michele Bachmann is no exception. Here’s what she said about Hurricane Irene and other natural disasters:
“I don’t know how much God has to do to get the attention of the politicians. We’ve had an earthquake; we’ve had a hurricane. He said, ‘Are you going to start listening to me here?’ Listen to the American people, because the American people are roaring right now. They know government is on a morbid obesity diet, and we’ve got to rein in the spending.”
Of course, her campaign is now claiming “Bachmann Spoke ‘In Jest’ When She Said God Was Communicating Via Earthquakes And Hurricanes.”
Limerick Ode to Michele “Just Joking” Bachmann
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Irene was a message from God,
Said Michelle in a right-wingnut nod.
Then she claimed she was jesting,
Cuz bad press was cresting.
That loon as our Prez? Then we’re scrod.
Tags: Campaign Satire, Earthquakes, Election Humor, FEMA, Hurricanes, Michele Bachmann, Minnesota, Natural Disasters, Presidential Election, Religion Satire, Republican Callousness, Republicans Humor, Tea Party Members
Posted in Campaign Humor, Election Satire, Michele Bachmann, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Religious Satire, Republicans Humor | 7 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, January 31st, 2011
In case you’ve been wondering what Sharron Angle’s been up to, I’ve got the answer: Senator Harry Reid’s former Republican challenger is giving speeches about makeup.
Yes, it’s hard to believe, but true. On January 21st, Angle spoke at a makeup convention in Las Vegas. Here’s how SeneGence International’s promotional material described Angle’s talk:
Sharron will be sharing her beauty and makeup challenges during the campaign and how she overcame them! She had confidence that she would look great with 14 -16 hour days & with numerous appearances daily… so can you!
And that brings me to my latest limerick:
Sharron Angle — You Can’t Make This Up
By Madeleine Begun Kane
I vowed that I never would mention
Sharon Angle again — gives me tension.
But I just can’t resist
Her last gig which I missed:
A speech at a makeup convention.
Tags: Harry Reid, Las Vegas Convention, Makeup, Nevada, Sharron Angle, Speeches
Posted in Gender Politics, GOP Humor, Harry Reid, Nevada Humor, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Republicans Humor, Wingnuts | 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 »
Tuesday, September 21st, 2010
When it comes to sexism posing as a compliment, I try to cut Harry Reid’s generation some slack. But Senator Reid really ought to know better:
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had an unusual form of praise for New York’s junior senator, Kirsten Gillibrand, this morning at the fundraiser Mayor Bloomberg hosted for him at his townhouse – referring to her as “the hottest member” as she sat just a few feet away, according to three sources.
The comment prompted Gillibrand to turn red, according to the sources, and created a bit of stir among the small crowd there.
That leads me to my latest limerick:
Harry Reid’s Not So Hot Remark
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Kirsten Gillibrand’s hot says Sen. Reid —
The Sen’s “hottest member,” indeed.
Now I know Harry’s old,
And I don’t mean to scold,
But that “compliment’s” sexist. Take heed.
Here’s more on subtle sexism, including my Gender At Work essay. (Gender at Work, under the name My Most Attractive Adversary, is the lead Gender Gap chapter essay in a pair of college textbooks by Gary Goshgarian: The Contemporary Reader and Readings For Today.)
Tags: Compliments, Feminist Limerick, Gary Goshgarian, Gender Humor, Harry Reid, Kirsten Gillibrand, Sexist Humor, Subtle Sexism
Posted in Appearance Humor, Feminism Humor, Gender Politics, Harry Reid, Kirsten Gillibrand, New York Politics, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Senate Satire, Washington | 3 Comments »
Thursday, August 26th, 2010
I have a dream that one day crazed liars like Glenn Beck will no longer pollute our television and radio waves and the Internet.
I have a dream that one day the American people will stop being suckered by deranged media personalities like Glenn Beck.
I have a dream that one day Glenn Beck will headline a rally like his “restore honor” to America rally scheduled on the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s “I Have A Dream Speech” … and nobody will show up.
My Dream For Glenn Beck … And America (Limerick)
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Oh, I have a dream for Glenn Beck:
That he’ll lose his unending blank check
To spread mad, evil lies
That are greeted as wise,
When they’re really insidious dreck.
Tags: Deranged Media Personalities, Glenn Beck, Martin Luther King, Media Humor, Political Rally
Posted in Fox News Humor, Glenn Beck Satire, Media Satire, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Publicity Hounds, Speeches Satire, Tea Parties, Washington, Wingnuts | 7 Comments »
Sunday, February 7th, 2010
When I first saw these hilarious photos and video of Sarah Palin’s palm-written Tea Party crib notes, all I could think was:
Notes on your hand,
Notes on your hand,
Lookin’ like a fool
With your notes on your hand.
Sorry, I watch way too much American Idol.
But relying on a cheat-sheet on your left hand during a friendly Q & A session is rich, coming from a woman who disparages President Obama’s (fictitious) inability to speak without a teleprompter.
This brings me to my latest limerick:
Palin’s Runny, Run-On Sentences Finally Explained
By Madeleine Begun Kane
Sarah Palin comes armed when she speaks
With crib notes on “hand” for sneak peeks.
Guess she’d better not wash
Before speeches. Oh gosh,
I sure hope that those scrawls ain’t antiques.
Tags: American Idol, Cheat Sheets, Crib Notes, Obama, Pants On The Ground Parody, Q & A, Run-On Sentences, Sarah Palin, Speeches, Tea Party Convention, Teleprompter
Posted in Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Publicity Hounds, Sarah Palin, Song Parodies, Tea Parties | 13 Comments »
Limerick Ode To The New, Improved Obama
Tuesday, September 20th, 2011This devout progressive has been very hard on Obama lately … and with good reason. But the debt ceiling debacle, liberal anger, and sinking poll numbers seem to have woken him up. Suddenly, Obama is the new, improved, assertive, populist President. And many former fans are welcoming back the President they thought they elected.
So, am I cheering? Well, let’s just say I’m giving Obama guarded applause. For while I like some of his jobs and tax proposals, and I love his newly confident, aggressive tone, I’m not convinced that any of this will last.
And that brings me to my latest limerick:
Limerick Ode To The New, Improved Obama
By Madeleine Begun Kane
It fin’ly has dawned on Barack
That with lib’rals he’s lost lots of stock.
His base and foundation
Could be his salvation.
I just hope his new stance ain’t a crock.
Tags: Barack Obama, Jobs, Legislation Humor, Liberals, Progressives, Tax Policy
Posted in 44 Humor, Barack Obama, Democrats Humor, Fiscal Policy, Legislation Humor, Political Commentary, Political Limericks, Political Speeches, Political Verse, Politics Satire, Tax & Budget Humor, Washington, White House | 4 Comments »