The Black Vault

One of my favorite things in the political arena, is watching the Alfred E. Smith dinner roasts by the President and the Presidential candidate. It's a night wherein politics are largely taken out of the equation (of course, never fully, b
ut you know what I mean) and the two combatants for the White House get to just let loose, and say things at the podium you would never say on the campaign trail. Insults against themselves, against their opponent, against the media, etc.

Last night, I was so excited to watch. Romney was brilliant. He bashed himself in just the right areas. He bashed Obama in just the right areas. He had the largely left leaning media (You know it is Chris Matthews was right behind Romney, and God knows he wasn't thinking about a chill up his leg) in the audience and they not only gave him a very warm welcome, but laughed extensively at his jokes.

Then came Obama... he had some great moments, but I was let down he didn't go after Romney MORE. He had a lot of opportunities to go after his wealth (He had the GREAT line about shopping FOR stores in NY), his politics, his, well, anything is fair game at the Alfred E. Smith dinner. But he didn't.

I am not saying "Romney won" this political, yet in good fun, showdown. That isn't what it's about. I am just saying, I really wish the President went after Romney more in the spirit of the night. He mainly targeted himself, which although can be funny (and Romney had some great ones about himself, too), really showed to me a lack of confidence and really more of a defeated attitude.

Maybe in short, what should have been a no-politics kind of night, and one filled with laughter and fun, I saw a man showing quite a bit more confidence and strength, and a man showing a bit more insecurity and much lower energy.

Regardless, both men did great, honestly, and if you have no idea what I am talking about... check out the speeches. It is WELL worth your time.

Romney: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/ ... inner.html
Obama: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87jO4WlP ... r_embedded

Both were funny, but Romney was really funny. Loved his Vatican joke about "Just blame Pope John Paul 2", and the "O plus 16 Trillion". Obama's best line was " I was shopping in midtown stores, Romney was shopping for midtown stores".

Pretty amazing they can be going for blood one second, and turn it totally off and have a cordial evening out together. What are you going to do when the cardinal of New York is sat between you? Reminds you of when your Mother sits you and your sister on either side of her in church.

I also thought the line about how they dress around the house was clever.