They call this the “silly season,” the time of year preceding an election when political campaigns - which can always be counted on to amuse - get downright ridiculous. As tired as we all are of all the mug-slinging and fear-mongering, past elections have led us to believe that it's only going to get worse before we finally pass through the eye of the storm that is Election Day.
But though we might resent being drenched with slime on our way to the polls, there's no reason we shouldn't net ourselves a chuckle here and there. And really, the only thing more comical than some of the recent accusations being tossed around are the candidates' attempts to defend themselves.
“I am not and have never been a vegetarian,” a “disgusted” Brown shot back, explaining that many years ago his family merely opted to consume less meat products - temporarily, mind you - while tending to a dying loved one who couldn't eat meat or dairy.
Then, on Wednesday, Brown announced a new volunteer effort dubbed “Beef Up Our Herd.” According to his announcement, two lucky volunteers will be selected to join Brown for a free steak dinner following the election.
If this sort of thing is necessary for Montana voters to make truly informed decisions, perhaps we should start demanding a daily menu from each of our candidates for governor.
But then, what might we have to demand from our candidates for president?
Last week, at the Alfred E. Smith memorial dinner, both Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain gave us a glimpse. It's long been tradition for political candidates to poke fun at themselves at the New York gala, and the 63rd annual Smith dinner was no exception. Obama and McCain both spoke highly of each other even as they cracked jokes about the rumors and insults swirling around both campaigns. Their comments came as a welcome respite in an increasingly heated - and increasingly ugly - election run, and has become our all-time favorite moment of the campaign.
“Events are moving fast in my campaign,” McCain told the assembled diners. “And yes, it's true that this morning I dismissed my entire team of senior advisers. All of their positions will now be held by a man named Joe the Plumber.”
McCain went on to riff off the number of houses he owns, his reference to Obama during the last round of debates as “that one” and recent poll numbers that show him trailing behind Obama before turning over the stage.
Obama, for his part, made fun of his ears, his name and his “celebrity” status.
“Here's another revelation,” Obama said, somehow keeping a straight face. “John McCain is on to something. There was a point in my life when I starting palling around with a pretty ugly crowd. I've got to be honest. These guys were serious deadbeats, they were low-lifes, they were repentant, no-good punks. That's right - I've been a member of the United States Senate.”
All in all it made for great entertainment in a campaign season that has us all looking forward to the next “Saturday Night Live” skit more than the next campaign stop.
Political ads and mailings are often good for a laugh, too, if you happen to be in the right mood. Gov. Brian Schweitzer's television ad featuring supposed “Washington bureaucrats,” “lawyers” and “lobbyists” riding their horses backwards is pretty funny. The mailing showing Roy Brown's head in an oil can is ... well, it's something.
And it's something we can only expect to see more of as we continue our countdown to the Nov. 4 election. We might as well get a giggle out of it - because the alternative is treating all this absurdity with a seriousness it does not deserve.
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