Shooter

Photo by Dunechaser

Ah, Republican humor:

In last week’s NH Republican Party newsletter, NHGOP Chair Fergus Cullen included the following:

HUMOR (Send your family-appropriate political jokes to fergus@nhgop.org): Almost seven years ago I sat, as did millions of other Americans, and watched as our government underwent a peaceful transition of power. At first, I felt a swell of pride and patriotism as I watched George W. Bush take his oath of office. However, all that pride quickly vanished as I later watched the Clintons board Air Force One for the last time. I saw 21 Marines, in full dress uniform with rifles, fire a 21-gun salute to the outgoing President and first lady. It was then that I realized how far America’s military had deteriorated under the Clinton administration. Every last one of them missed.

HAHAHAHA!!! The military totally failed to assassinate the Clintons as they were leaving the White House!  Get it?  Get it?  *nudge nudge poke poke poke*

But you know what’s the best part?  The part where it says "Send your family-appropriate political jokes to fergus@nhgop.org" – yes, that’s right, assassination jokes are what passes for "family-appropriate" in today’s Culture Of Life Family Values Party.  And bear in mind, this is a state GOP chair, not just some random LGF commenter. (Eliminationism: It’s not just for fringe-dwellers any more!)

The profoundly unamused NH Democratic Chair, Ray Buckley, called on Senators Sununu and Gregg to call on Cullen to step down, resulting in the following oh-so-contrite apology from Cullen:

There is a place for humor in politics, but I can understand why some might find this joke in poor taste. No offense was intended, and I regret if any was taken. I personally apologize to President and Senator Clinton.

Gee, I can’t imagine why anyone might take offense to such a harmless, family-friendly little joke about an outgoing Commander-In-Chief being murdered by his own troops – those Democrats are so sensitive!  Besides, it’s not like there was cussing.

The Republicans actually made a much more successful, albeit unintentional, foray into humor today, when it turned out that the NRCC’s new slogan, "The Change You Deserve," was already being used to market prescription antidepressant Effexor:

The Change You Deserve™

Are these symptoms of depression interfering with your life?

  • Not involved with family and friends the way you used to be?
  • Low energy, fatigue?
  • Not motivated to do the things you once looked forward to doing?
  • Not feeling as good as you used to?

Well.  That was perhaps not the best possible choice.  Even more so when you consider that it’s been under a "Black Box Warning" for promoting suicidal tendencies since, ahem, 2004.

Not to worry, though.  Those resilient Republicans have rebounded with a brand-new slogan, carefully researched to have absolutely no embarrassing connotations at all: "When The Moment Is Right… Republicans."

(h/t Julia)