TCTI: Too Crazy Too Ignore
 Dave Ross
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The traditional Al Smith Dinner was held at the posh Waldorf Astoria in NYC last night to raise money for Catholic charities. Mr. Obama and Mr. Romney sat with Cardinal Dolan, delivered their best punch lines. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

Who won the Al Smith Dinner?

BY Dave Ross  on October 19, 2012 @ 8:02 am (Updated: 9:14 am - 10/19/12 )

The traditional Al Smith Dinner was held at the posh Waldorf Astoria in NYC last night to raise money for Catholic charities. Mr. Obama and Mr. Romney sat with Cardinal Dolan, delivered their best punch lines, and today of course the question is: Who won the Al Smith Dinner?

Based on my careful measurements, Mitt Romney's best joke was this one:

"In the spirit of Sesame Street, the president's remarks tonight are brought to you by the letter O and the number 16 trillion."

With an audience reaction lasting 14.1 seconds.

Obama's best punch line:

"Monday's debate is a little bit different because the topic is foreign policy. Spoiler alert, we got bin Laden."

But his reaction topped out at only 11.9 seconds.

So touchdown Romney; although, extra credit to Obama for getting a laugh on a line which actually wasn't even a joke.

In fact, that's the amazing thing -- most of the jokes were just their talking points.

"As president Obama surveys the Waldorf banquet room, you have to wonder what he's thinking, so little time, so much to redistribute," said Romney.

And the fact that they stand in front of all those priests using their talking points to get laughs:

"I went shopping in some stores in midtown. I understand Governor Romney went shopping for some stores in midtown," said Obama.

That they use their talking points to get laughs shows you they know just how ridiculous their caricatures of each other are. It was a kind of confession.

Dave Ross, KIRO Radio Talk Show Host
Dave Ross is co-host of The Ross & Burbank Show on KIRO Radio (weekdays 9-Noon) and never too far from the spotlight.
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Comments (11)


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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Well, Dave? .. Who DID win the free dinner? I didn't know there was a drawing.
    October 19, 2012 8:50 am
    Whoever, it's probably cold by now, anyway.

    Amazing. These Al Smith Dinners do a lot of good. Primarily, Catholic Charities rakes in a lot of money to help a lot of people. .. Ant politicos get a chance to ham it up a bit.

    And every 4 years whoever is running for president (top two, usually - sorry anyone else, even if you might BE Catholic) get the chance to admit all the lies they have been telling about the other guy. ... Or Not.

    Oh, well. Back to normal today. And today until the election, not even Cardinal Dolan will get a good laugh from either.

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  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    Obama's best joke reveals a lot...
    October 19, 2012 8:54 am
    "I particularly want to apologize to Chris Matthews. Four years ago I gave him a thrill up his leg, this time around I gave him a stroke."

    He should probably also apologize to the masses of ignorant drones who bought into his hope and change scam.

    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Chuck Gould wrote...
    Ease up, Paul. It's beginning to look like Obama created at least a few jobs....
    October 19, 2012 9:31 am
    for a moving crew. With a load headed from DC back to Chicago, next January.

    It won't take the Repubs long to realize that the security was *pulled* at that state department facility in Libya last August, despite pleas from the now dead ambassador to leave it in place because he feared for his safety. I theorize that Obama was counting on the nation "rallying behind the Commander in Chief", (just as it did behind Bush II back in '01), in the aftermath of the almost certain attack and tragedy.

    If my theory is true, then for no other reason Obama does not deserve to be re-elected. In fact, some sort of criminal charges may be in order.

    Too bad you guys have such a negative campaign and advanced such a regressive platform this year, Paul. There's just nobody in either major party currently fit to serve as POTUS.

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  • maplefish wrote...
    Touché Chuck
    October 19, 2012 2:08 pm
    I could not agree more. The entire Administration dropped the ball, badly, on this one. The lies and cover-up were an insult to not just the Amabassador and the Seals, but to the people of the United States.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Paul Kersey wrote...
    In reciprocity Chuck
    October 19, 2012 2:25 pm
    I partially agree with you too. I totally agree that there are criminals in the White House, but you already knew that. I am glad to see that you have seen that light and are not blinded by partisan politics. I confess, I did not think you had it in you.

    What I disagree with, is about Romney. As I have come to learn more about him, I am convinced that he is a good and moral man and is the right person for the job. I think he will work hard for all Americans, not just favored groups. I think he will do as much as possible to heal the division in the country. If we get four more years of the divisive fraud of Obamunism, we will be doomed for sure.

    It looks pretty certain that Romney will win. It will not take long to see if he is up to the job. I hope he is.

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  • Lonestar wrote...
    Hey Cardinal, did you hear the one about two guys getting married?
    October 19, 2012 9:33 am
    Oh wait, that's not a joke.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • SeattleNative wrote...
    Most poignant line for the Catholics in the crowd:
    October 19, 2012 10:31 am
    "...in defense and the rights of conscience, and in solidarity with the innocent child waiting to be born."
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • irony wrote...
    romney wins...
    October 19, 2012 11:27 am
    he knows what is funny, 0bama knows only muslim deceit.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • andy123 wrote...
    The Cardinal
    October 19, 2012 1:59 pm
    Boy, oh did I say boy?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
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