Reply #9: You read my mind. [View All]

When I watched the highlights of the dinner, it pained me to listen to Mr. Obama's jokes because the realities outweigh the superficiality displayed in the room. He gave it his old college try and some of the quips were funny. However, it must have been hard for Mr. Obama to stand there joking about the bitterest of things that his opponent threw at him.

Now, I understand that sometimes the best way to let an opponent know that his/her attacks fall flat is to laugh at them. On that point, I understood the way the speech was written.

But, it was much easier for those ensconced with privilege to laugh.

And although McCain showed (begrudgingly) a softer side, it still does not take away from the thought that this was all an act. After all, the GOP is trying to shape a new narrative for him while his operatives hammer away at Mr. Obama. After all, that's what the appearances at the dinner and on Letterman were all about. McCain is good at acting. It is something he has done all of his life. So this "performance" should not even endear anyone to him. When the event is over, the taped messages on the phone will still play, the chants of "Kill Him!" will still happen, and of course, the accusation of "terrorist" will still come.

That's why I cannot believe that people could be easily fooled by McCain's change of heart at the dinner. The only truth of the matter is that he was in his element, as the OP stated.

And Mr. Obama, clearly now the most important man in the room, commanded attention solely because he is about to ascend to the highest office in the land.