Alfred E Smith!!
From heated debates, controversial topics, attacks and accusations and a lot of negative ads from the republican as well as the democratic parties to Alfred E Smith dinner!! Seeing the other side, the funny and most importantly the smart -funny sides of both candidates; Barak Obama and John McCain, was very interesting and light hearted.
personally speaking, this election has been an eye opening experience for me: the art and tactics of debate which we still lack in our countries, the power of voting which some people are fighting for and dying to acquire while others take it fore granted and don’t even care to use, the beauty and ugliness of politics, the unprecedented presidential campaigns on both parties and the anticipation of the coming 2 weeks to the 2008 presidential election day.
Alfred E Smith memorial foundation dinner is an annual fund raising event and a short escape or more likely a truce between the two presidential candidates
I couldn’t stop laughing hearing both candidates exchanging roasts, and here I quote starting with Obama saying:
“I feel right at home, its often been said that I share the politics of Alfred E. Smith and the ears of Alfred E Neuman”
"I do love the Waldorf Astoria though, u know, I hear that from the doorstep, you can see all the way to the Russian Tea Room."
;)
“Of course am especially honored to be here tonight with my distinguished opponent senator John McCain. I think it’s a tribute to American democracy that with 2 weeks left and a heart fought election, the two of us could come together and sit down at the same dinner table without preconditions.. now recently one of John’s top advisors told the Daily News that if we keep talking about the economy McCain is going to lose. So tonight I’d like to talk about the economy…”
LOL!!
"While the collapse of the housing market's been tough on every single homeowner, I think we all need to recognize this crisis has been eight times harder on John McCain."
John McCain was no less funnier talking about Joe the plumber and Joe the senator, quoting:
“Joe Biden claims that Joe the plumber couldn’t possibly have enough income to face the tax increase under the Obama plan.” he added referring to the democratic party,
“what they don’t know that Joe the plumber recently signed a very lucrative contract with a wealthy couple to handle all the work on all seven of their houses”
and the way he justified addressing senator Obama with “That one!” saying
“he doesn’t mind at all. in fact he even has a name for me: George Bush ”
:)
.....
Though I wonder here, would one day our countries hold such events where opponents sit at the same table, without preconditions!, exchanging laughs, congratulating each other on the success they achieved so far and yet serving a higher cause as fund raising.. would we adopt open, free and responsible debates in our, not only political, but every-day life??
On a lighter tone, you can check more videos covering the memorial dinner here.