| | | | Why humor is what our politics is missing |  | | A memorial service isn't the most likely place to be reminded of why laughing matters so much in life – and in politics.
But that's exactly what happened on Wednesday in Washington when former Wyoming Sen. Alan Simpson delivered a eulogy for his friend, former President George H.W. Bush.
"Humor is the universal solvent against the abrasive elements of life," said Simpson, reminding the crowd assembled at the National Cathedral that one of the most important qualities of the late president was his ability to laugh – especially at himself.
Amen to that.
There's a sentiment that has gained traction over the last decade or so that politics isn't serious enough. That these are SERIOUS times and they require SERIOUS people -- both in politics and in the media who cover it. Having fun, enjoying yourself, laughing at the ridiculousness of something or someone or yourself are strictly verboten.
I think that badly misses the point. Of course the work of politics and policy is a serious endeavor with real stakes. But being able to share a laugh or poke fun at yourself is the lubricant that many of our best -- and most successful -- politicians have used to make the gears of government whir into action. Whether it was George H.W. Bush or his son, George W. Bush, or Barack Obama, all of those men knew how to tell a joke, and how to take one, too.
Laughing wasn't for them a sign of unseriousness. Rather, maintaining a sense of humor -- about themselves and the world -- was how they kept themselves sane, how they coped with a job and a world with many varied challenges.
I'd argue that one of President Donald Trump's biggest weaknesses is that he has very little sense of humor -- especially about himself. Fired FBI Director James Comey wrote about Trump's lack of mirth in his memoir, and told ABC's George Stephanopoulos of Trump: "I've never seen him laugh. Not in public, not in private. And at a dinner with someone -- I mean, I'm not a comedian but I occasionally say something that's funny that people chuckle with each other."
Here's the thing. As Simpson notes, laughter isn't a sign of unseriousness or weakness. It's the most effective and important way we deal with the "abrasive elements of life." And we all -- especially in politics -- have to deal with abrasive elements all the damn time.
The Point: Laugh. Chuckle. Giggle. Grin. We all need it.
-- Chris | | "I want to keep New Hampshire as the easiest state to vote in the country, like it has been."
-- New Hampshire Secretary of State Bill Gardner, who eked out a close re-election victory. He won re-election to his 22nd term by four votes. | | | WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU'RE EXPECTING... | | ... to run for president!
The 2020 campaign season has already begun, and Lauren looked into the key steps that candidates need to take BEFORE they run for president.
Basically, before you buy that plane ticket to Iowa or craft your first campaign slogan, there are some crucial decisions to make first -- and time is of the essence.
In that behind-the-scenes planning, the first step is getting buy-in from your family. Then, it's all about the money.
There's a bit of a Catch-22 when it comes to ensuring you have the resources to run. If you don't come from a deep-pocketed personal background, figuring out how and when to line up the cash essential for a run has to happen quickly.
Why? Because campaign finance rules prevent fundraising for a campaign before you actually launch it. That puts pressure on candidates to announce soon -- to make sure you have a strong fundraising haul in the first three months of 2019 to prove you're a viable candidate.
Then, it's on to Iowa. | |
GEORGE H.W. BUSH FUNERAL ATTENDEES, ANNOTATED | | | Today's tune is "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen" by the Barenaked Ladies -- a suggestion from Point reader PJ in Shoreline, Washington! PJ writes: "It'll go down as one of your best 'interludes' ever." Fact check: True. | | Former President Barack Obama has recently met with two would-be 2020 contenders: Beto O'Rourke and Andrew Gillum, two rising Democrats who lost their races in 2018.
Now, the meeting with Obama doesn't mean either candidate is fully in for a presidential run. But the former president *could* be a kingmaker for any 2020 hopefuls planning a run against Donald Trump.
As Gillum said on Tuesday: "I plan on being married to my wife. That is all I am planning."
One Obamaworld darling has decided not to run in 2020: Deval Patrick. The former governor of Massachusetts soon plans to formally announce that he's staying out of the 2020 fray. | |
THE ONE DATA POINT FOR PREDICTING US PRESIDENTS | | It's whether you've run before.
Eleven of the last 15 elected presidents have won on their first try, according to Z. Byron Wolf.
Check out the handy graphic from JoElla Carman: | | | | | | |
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