The Underdog Comes Out... Cracking Jokes?

In the span of four hours this morning, Stéphane Dion told the same joke twice while campaigning in Halifax. To paraphrase: "Stephen Harper speaks English better than me. But I can tell the truth in both official languages better than Stephen Harper!" (*Rimshot!*)

Let’s now mine this comedy gold...

First, the good: Dion deserves full credit for co-opting a criticism – his proficiency with the English language – and turning it into a self-deprecating jab. Well done.

Now, the bad: After sealing the set-up and delivering the punch line, Dion seems startled by the applause. Instead of pausing briefly for effect and then continuing, he freezes. He looks around. He smiles. He glances at campaign peeps standing behind. Then he smirks, with a twinkle in his eye that screams: "You see! I did it! I connect with audience! I HUMAN!"

Sir? A humble recommendation. Shhh. I won't tell.

Comments

[Jim]

I still can't believe the Liberals picked him for their leader, they must have got some brownies from the NDP to pass around at the leadership convention.

[Michael Sullivan]

Dion does have a sense of humour! One can speak English fluently and not be smart! One can speak English as a second learned language; and be a genius!