Comments on: Memo to Senator McCain: Wife Beating Jokes Are Not Funny (Even If They Are Famous)

By: Bruce

Bruce — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:46:56 +0000

Larfnot is absolutely correct. This was never a “joke”. Just shows how uninformed/un educated most of these replys are. This was used as one of many examples in the Police Academys, Law Schools, my college philosophy courses and probably political circles as how to phrase a question that no matter how it is answers you have trapped the respondent.
Typical Knee Jerk reaction.

By: Larfnot

Larfnot — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:41:56 +0000

Yes, it’s an old joke about phrasing a question in such a way that providing an answer validates an unflattering premise. That is, a reporter asks a question “When did you stop beating your wife?” So, McCain was remarking that the question he was being asked was leading and that he couldn’t win by answering it. Old news men and public figures are probably more familiar with the reference than the general public. I actually feel kind of sorry for McCain because it wasn’t really a tasteless joke at all, but if you didn’t get the reference, it just sounds oddly offensive and awkward. Oh well. I’d make an age joke here about a generation gap, but I’m only 30 and I recognized the reference, so *shrug*

By: Caroline

Caroline — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:36:26 +0000

Ick, I kind of feel sick to my stomach reading this. McCain has got no room for error. Keep talking, buddy. You’re sealing your fate one stupid quip at a time.

By: the slackmistress

the slackmistress — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:01:21 +0000

I think the RNC is going to learn the hard way that “The Old Boys Club” is no longer crisp white linens, fancy separate entrances and expensive bourbon, but a buncha guys in a makeshift shack swillin’ rotgut.

And I can’t wait.

By: Miz LIz

Miz LIz — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:31:49 +0000

What did Cyndi Lauper say? “I see your true colours coming through….”

By: Queen of Spain

Queen of Spain — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:22:53 +0000

ABC on the comments http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/06/mccain-gambles.html

and most of the discussion is at BlogHer and on Friend Feed

By: Queen of Spain

Queen of Spain — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 14:20:27 +0000

I think if McCain says ‘Have you told you Mother you masturbated yet’ and chuckles I just might die

By: Maria

Maria — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:16:29 +0000

Um yeah– not funny. Not funny at all.

By: mothergoosemouse

mothergoosemouse — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 04:50:43 +0000

Yes, I’ve heard of it. Kyle loves nit-picking logic flaws, and he’s cited that one before (although his favorite is “Have you told your mother you masturbate yet?”). Would’ve been funnier if McCain had used that line.

Anyway, I understand his reference – basically he’s saying that the assumption is that he’s running from Bush and Gibbons, and that by giving a yes/no answer, he’s validating that assumption – just as with the above questions.

But yeah, I’d agree that this is another example of being out of touch.