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June 20, 2007
Humor and Politicians
Have you seen the Hillary Clinton Sopranos spoof? Now I enjoy hating Hillary Clinton as much as the next conservative, but there was some effective use of humor in a political campaign. Subconsciously, we set the humor bar very low for politicians, because we're used to them being too cramped in by their talking points to be capable of much humor ("America's health care crisis is no laughing matter."). Thus, we'll reward them with laughter for merely venturing out of their comfort zone to make a joke. With Hillary, you have someone considered cold and impersonal to a large segment of the population, so she particularly has a lot to gain through using humor. With this video, she slightly makes fun of herself (which is good for someone with her image) and makes her seem like a regular person (the wooden line reading actually helps with that; she just seems like a regular person having fun with a joke). Also, it's actually "edgy," parodying a popular subject that hasn't already been satirized to death (of course, the joke will be lost on the few people who aren't aware of the Sopranos controversy, but that's always the trade off with that sort of humor). Because it's so surprising, it's getting wide airplay and free publicity. I really don't see a downside to it. I've seen some conservatives over-analyzing it and wondering if it's proper for her to associate herself with the mob or a TV show with such adult content, but no one other than someone who already really hates Clinton is going to pick it to death like that. To the average person, its just going to be funny and, through using a reference they know, make them subconsciously feel more connected to Hillary Clinton. It's a big win for her and I would hope whoever thought of doing this gets a big raise. For politicians, there's a lot of be gained by just a little bit of humor, which is why I'm surprised we don't see more serious attempts at it. This is why I should be a political consultant for the Republican Party focusing on humor. After the 2006 elections and the recent immigration bill fiasco, they're seen as completely disconnected from their base. They should try some humor for an attempt at outreach. Maybe, with a bit of effort, they can have a video go viral. It's not going to magically make Republicans cool again, but it will help. I could go on about this sort of thing forever -- the advantages, disadvantages, possible pitfalls, etc. of humor (and why, as cool as it would be, I don't think Fred Thompson should publicly acknowledge the Fred Thompson Facts) -- but the point is that humor is an important branch of cognitive science that could be of great use for humanizing politicians and getting issues focused on if used correctly. Sometime I think I'm the only one who takes humor seriously. 16 Responses To "Humor and Politicians"
I see no humor at all in that socialist bitch. I think anyone who helps humanize here needs a kick in the ass instead of a raise. I think that using humor to convince conservatives that it's OK to turn our nation over to people who don't respect our laws--illegal immigrants and/or the businessmen who want them--is a crime. I think we should all get a big laugh out of the demise of anyone who is for either Hill-Lie-Ry or the immigration bill.
I found a great deal of humor listening to Ron Paul on Coast_2_Coast AM. I love how that show treats mental patients as if they are sane. Far funnier than Hillary spot. #2 - Posted by: loomdog on June 20, 2007 11:29 AMAny Soprano spoof that has Bill Clinton in it is naturally funny. Just ask Vince Foster oh yeah..forgot. #3 - Posted by: Patrick1 on June 20, 2007 11:42 AMIs it me or is her campaign pretty much the same as Mr Burns' campaign for governor? Quote There is no downside in it for her. Lefties are usually in the pockets of the mob and organized labor. Anyone who disagrees that they are often the same thing, has no memories of the mob controlling union retirement funds. Ergo, she is in her comfort zone. #5 - Posted by: Writer on June 20, 2007 12:14 PMOk…you were in high school and sitting in the back of the room making fun of some loser – or the teacher – or just jerking off…then there is this one guy sitting up front kissing the teachers ass – he doesn’t think you are very funny, MISTER! He’s the next US Senator! He doesn’t have a sense of humor! He’s an ass kissing prick! That’s why they don’t use humor…they don’t know how! #6 - Posted by: ussjimmycarter on June 20, 2007 01:18 PM"Subconsciously, we set the humor bar very low for politicians, because we're used to them been given to cramped in by their talking points to be capable of much humor . . ." Frank, could you say that again in English? Thanks. #7 - Posted by: Pat Berry on June 20, 2007 01:40 PMFrank, could you say that again in English? Thanks. How could it be any clearer? #8 - Posted by: Frank J. on June 20, 2007 01:51 PMWhat do you mean that Fred shouldn't acknowledge the Fred Thompson facts? I thought the Fred Thompson facts were going to be the GOP's 2008 platform. Thompson/Nugent - Fred & Ted 2008 #9 - Posted by: Fosterdad on June 20, 2007 02:12 PMDid it cut to black so we can speculate whether she was whacked and replaced with an android, or she has always been an android and the bullet bounced off? #10 - Posted by: Master Shake on June 20, 2007 02:43 PMHow could it be any clearer? "Politicians set used capable the bar very low for we, because we're to them subconsciously points, been given to cramped in by their humor talking to be of much humor . . ."
If Hitlery thought it was humorous, she would not participate. Her Humor Chip has never functioned, and is the Primary reason her model was recalled. To compensate, she was given a second Sleaze Chip and an advanced model Socialism Chip. Lastly her blood was replaced with liquid hydrogen and her heart was replaced with a suction pump. Thus far, she is the only surviving heart transplant donor. #12 - Posted by: Writer on June 20, 2007 04:36 PMThat was the most boring and nauseating clip ever! The electrons involved in transmitting it are crying at having been used for such a meaningless piece of Hillary drivel. Frank, I must disagree with your happy face assessment of the Hilary spot. Were you perhaps just kissing up to someone for a political humor job? You couldn't be serious. There's no bar that low. #13 - Posted by: reality intrudes on June 20, 2007 05:01 PMSometime I think I'm the only one who takes humor seriously. When I was in college, I actually took a Sociology course called "Humor, Laughter, and Society" that was pretty interesting... so you are not the only one who takes humor seriously. #14 - Posted by: silaS marreD on June 21, 2007 03:09 PMThat video just wasted 1 minute and 35 seconds of my life! (actually 3 min, 10 seconds because I had to watch it a second time to time it...) I need to puke now... Has anyone else noticed that Bill and Hilary are never shown on the screen at the same time? The only instance in which both main characters are on the screen shows Bill from behind. There is no shot at all that shows both faces. Does this strike anyone as strange? How come no one has mentioned this before? #16 - Posted by: ABCD on June 25, 2007 07:46 PMPost a comment
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