Senator John Kerry took a shot at Alaska Governor Sarah Palin when discussing the disappearance of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford.
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Sanford disappears, John Kerry makes Sarah Palin joke
By Jimmy Orr | 06.25.09
Come on. Who didn’t see this one coming? One Republican Governor goes missing and someone makes a joke about wishing it was Sarah Palin. It’s an easy one.
And just like Rodney Dangerfield would tell his predictable “I get no respect” jokes (which, incidentally, were hilarious), you knew someone would bring up Governor Palin.
And the award goes to the funniest guy in the US Senate. Er…. Well, the award goes to Senator John Kerry.
The Boston Herald reports that Kerry was speaking to a bunch of business leaders he invited to Washington when he brought up the disappearance of Sanford (this is before Sanford’s press conference) and linked it to the Alaskan governor.
“Too bad,” Kerry said, “if a governor had to go missing it couldn’t have been the governor of Alaska. You know, Sarah Palin.”
Bah-doom-bah…
Of course those on the right don’t think it’s that funny. Ethel Fenig over at The American Thinker blogs, “Tee hee! Letterman, Kerry — all afraid of strong, independent women! Kerry should find a job with David Letterman — who would miss him?”
“He needs to go back to his ‘Munster” family,’ writes one disgruntled commenter over at FOX News.
The last time someone of stature made a joke at Palin’s expense, she got him to back down and apologize. But that was when David Letterman took a pot shot at one of her daughters.
It’s probably doubtful she’ll launch an all out attack for this joke. But with one big victory behind her, who knows?
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2. Linda | 06.25.09
I love that joke, I wish I had thought of it. If any Governor needs to go missing, it’s Sarah. I dearly wish she would get out of politics and go home and be a mother for once. If she really needs to work, then be a church secretary where she can do the most good.
4. Alan | 06.25.09
Greg….in case you were unaware, Kerry was one of the troops in combat during Vietnam, and contrary to the swiftboaters, was a decorated hero. You obviously know nothing about Palin’s or Kerry’s accomplishments. What has Palin accomplished as governor of Alaska…oh yeah, I forgot, she now charges rape victims for rape kits and she gets paid for living in her house because it’s not in the capital.
5. Omega | 06.25.09
Make no mistake,Gov Palin has a son in the military and this trip of hers is only for the opportunity to see her son. Good PR for her, but if it weren’t for her son….
6. Zarathustra | 06.25.09
The question has been posed “when was the last time Kerry … visit[ed] troops?”
— Well, one example is in Jan 2005, when he visited Iraq. According to then Kerry spokeswoman April Boyd, “he’s going because he wants to thank the troops from Massachusetts.”
— Another example is from Feb 2008, when Kerry visited Afghanistan.
This is (obviously) not an exhaustive list, but to think that John Kerry has never “cared” about any troops is ridiculous.
7. alaskamountainman | 06.25.09
The last time I checked Kerry served in the military during a war which is more than the pretty face has done.
9. terry | 06.25.09
Palin may be a strong, independent women but she is still not the brightest light bulb
10. Kirk C | 06.25.09
John Kerry afraid of strong, independent women? Apparently Ms. Fennig has not met the Senator’s wife.
11. joanne | 06.25.09
John Kerry served in vietnam.. and spent christmas in cambodia, that is still seared in his mind… thus destroying it…
12. Kalonichivich | 06.25.09
Another Photo Op in the build up for the 2012 elections.
Most other Governers are busy tending to the affairs of State.
Except Sanford and Palin, but then they too are only they are different affairs, One put romance over his family and State and the other photo op over the State.
13. Nan | 06.25.09
Can you imagine if a Democrat was missing and a Republican made a joke at a Democrat’s expense? Ha… that person would be hung! Let a Democrat do it and he gets called “funny.” Kerry should be ashamed of himself. Palin 2012!!
16. Ray | 06.25.09
When are people going to get mad and hold our elected officials to any standards whatsoever? John Kerry - what you said was in poor taste. Think before you speak… I have to!
As an RN, I need to regularly attend courses for continuing education credits. As it should be. Having to do that just this morning, it occurred to me that elected officials ought to do the same thing, as we entrust them to properly run this country, state, community, and even our schools, so we can continue to pursue our careers and hobbies, raise our families, enjoy our time off, and simply live our lives.
17. Deb | 06.25.09
Freedom of speech is sooooo wonderful Senator Kerry can say what he likes and you all can comment on it. But really, America, where is your sense of humor????
18. PaulG | 06.25.09
Odd - no one hears about John Kerry since he lost the Presidency. And then when he mentioned Sarah Palin, all of a sudden, it makes headlines. Folks typically like hearing about up-and-coming rising stars like Palin - not a “never-was” like Kerry.
19. Steve | 06.25.09
As Gail Collins in the New York Times put it: Sanford was under consideration for McCain’s VP; who knew that there could have been a more horrible choice than Ms. Palin herself?
20. Tammy | 06.25.09
Well, now we all can have a taste of how the government works. Why all the snipes??? Republacrats…. one and the same party. It is a time for change. Kerry is a hipocrat. Now you or I could not get an anulment when married before “Unless you are a Kerry or Kennedy” … What the heck has Sarah Palin done to him or anyone for that matter to have the remarks fly at her. I’ll bet you Sarah knows what Is “is”. And so far she hasn’t shot herself to be home for Christmas. I DID SERVE IN VIETNAM, and if you think that is what he did you truly have your head in the sand. Time to grow up all. Learn the facts, check them out you have a computer. Ron Paul is closer to what people voted for when they thought Obama was going to make a Change…. Ekkkkkkkkkk. I did not vote for Obama or McCain… I do what a change. Democrats or Republicans are not a change…….
24. Billy Lee | 06.25.09
The real joke is that you would have been called a traitor if you talked about President Bush the way people talk about Kerry. But none of Palins defenders remember that. Whew. Let’s get real, here.
25. Glenn | 06.25.09
People make fun of Palin because of her horrible attitude and the way she always plays the ‘victim’. She only cares about Alaska and her daughters. Anytime anyone criticizes her or her policies, it must be because she is a “strong, independent woman”. Yeah right…
Who gave her the right to accept Dave Letterman’s apology “on behalf of young women everywhere”? She is so full of herself.
26. mary white | 06.25.09
Sarah Palin should just fade into the woodwork. I hope I never hear her name again.
27. cygon | 06.25.09
they wish she would disappear on account of, they are scared of her. Obama, on the other hand, I bet, would wish that Biden’s mouth would just disappear forever.
28. edward | 06.25.09
Is the joke malicious? It plays to both sides…1.) Palin is in the wrong place and not qualified for national politics and should get out..(lack of experience and not competent) or 2.) She is going to give the opposition a run for their money, and they’d like her out, before she causes them harm. (threat). Good going Kerry.
29. cygon | 06.25.09
liberal women are amazing. they want women to be liberated and be successful, and be able to “Do it ALL”!!!! when they finally see a woman who is liberated, successful, and has “done it all”, they hate her.
I wish Kerry would disappear again - like after he lost. what does he do again when he’s not flipflopping?
30. Geoff | 06.25.09
OK, to be honest, the joke did warrant a small snicker. But if you take the context of Governor out of the joke, you could substitute just about any Washington with a D, R, I, or any other politcal affiliation’s letter at the end of their name. It’s time to clean house (and senate) and start fresh with some folks who care about the people they’re elected to serve, instead of their own political and powerbroker status.
33. Sue | 06.25.09
Both Governors Palin and Sanford are psychologically challenged.
Whatever your politics, that is obvious.
Kerry made a joke…finally! He was such a bore.
Lighten up…
35. CR | 06.25.09
#13 Please get a grip. I don’t think anything said about Palin so far exceeds the nastiness thrown at Hillary Clinton over the years. And no one’s been hung.
36. ChuckM | 06.25.09
if Sarah Pailin were Pro Abortion and not Pro Life.
the left would Fawnl all over Her.
You cant even be Pro life and be a Democrat, in my home State of RI.
We have a wonderfull congress man Jim Lagevein, last election.
He scored high on every Democratic issue, but he was Pro Life.
Emilys list and the other nutty Pro abortion GRoups Came to RI to Defeat him
37. Eliza | 06.25.09
Has any one EVER observed the wounds John Kerry sustained in VM??? NO, superficial scratches leave NO scars.No scars, no manners, no civility.
38. PALIN2012 | 06.26.09
Kerry should immediately resign. Making fun of special needs kids is NOT funny. Typical liberal hate.
39. Peggy | 06.28.09
Sarah Palin is a real lady—there aren’t many of those left— I admire
her and I believe that jealously is so real and alive out there–
Governor Palin was there to welcome our boys as they returned from
afghanstan and everybody who really knows her–loves her You critical
people need a little class— Ohhhh— and those of you who wanted
change—-you got it–and it is getting worse every day—it isn’t the
Bush administration any more–who you gonna blame now???? Get real–
41. kpc | 06.29.09
Gygon,
Senator Kerry has been an advocate for women his entire adult life. Even as a prosecutor, his office was a leader in hiring without regard to gender. Nothing in Kerry’s informal comment, expressed in an informal conversation to a group of MA local officials and businessmen is offensive. (Are you trying to tell me that no one on the right said they wished Kerry would go away in 2005 - that was one of the kinder things said.)
You might want to look at the two very independent successful daughters he raised. In 2004, the fact that their values matched his led a republican neighbor of mine to vote for him - because they validated that he was who he said he was.
Palin daily said worse things every day of the campaign about Democrats.
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Jimmy Orr has worked in politics for the majority of his professional career working for two U.S. Senators, two Governors and one President. Most recently, Orr served as White House Spokesman and Internet Director for President George W. Bush and Special Advisor to Governor Schwarzenegger for Internet Communications.
David Cook is Washington bureau chief of The Christian Science Monitor and host of the Monitor's newsmaker breakfasts. He was the Monitor's editor from 1994 to 2001. Cook is a graduate of Principia College, served in the U.S. Army, was a Bagehot Fellow at Columbia University, and is a member of the Gridiron Club, Washington's oldest journalistic organization.
1. greg | 06.25.09
Kerry’s joke is pretty lame. Gov. Palin has accomplished more in 2 years as governor than Kerry has in his entire political career. It should be noted that yesterday, when the first report of his stupidity came out, Gov. Palin was on her way to visit Alaska National Guard troops serving overseas. When was the last time Kerry cared enough to go visit any of our troops?