LFCCMCCUJ Volume 17

Courtesy, civility, campaign. Which of these things are not like the other? A comic who is not paid by a candidate can use joke to mock, highlight or reveal an aspect of the campaign that followers and casual observers miss. A really good joke hits where it hurts, usually in your pocketbook and credibility...

Should you decide as a comic to make jokes during a campaign the experience is different from every other place of comedy. 1st you will be hated. This is not a pleasant experience but part of the game. If your joke is funny or insightful you will be attacked by those trying to get their candidate elected. In being a comic all of the candidates are fair game... so the only people who won't attack you are those who don't vote. Not really your audience.

Selecting who get most of your comic attention depends on you as a person and the race as it unfolds. If there is a candidate who is far ahead of the pack your jokes might be the only opposition they will get. And they will attack you for being hopelessly out of touch with reality. If your comic attention is evenly distributed... well see above.

The most vocal attacks will be from campaigns that invoke an evangelical or populist movement. If the base is fired up... your jokes will put you in the firing line. When everyone is thinking the same... no one is thinking at all... a campaign filled with signs... slogans and colour schemes will defend their candidate with a vengeance. Patience, time will validate your jokes because an election won on a Bieber like fever usually comes back to haunt. Yes we can...

In the US Stephen Colbert is hated by the Republicans because he openly parodies their policies. Nothing says funny like repeating the words of a rabid base. Jon Stewart gets attacked from Republicans for openly mocking them. Glen Beck gets attacked by Democrats for vilifying them. I know Beck isn't considered a comic. Technically he is a fool because he is paid by the Republicans...but man his stuff is hysterical.

Being a comic in an election is like going to a Flames game in your Toronto Maple Leaf jersey. You had better be prepared for the wingnuts showing off for their peeps.

As a comic you will be subjected to criticism of your ability from people who have never been on stage, written a joke or been able to make someone laugh in person. They are called a campaign team. If your joke is effective their defense will be to claim "It isn't funny" to try and downplay the truth behind the joke. In politics it is all about how you spin it.

I can't give you any magic bullet to ward off the attacks. You will feel the slings and arrows despite your cause. I would like to give you some advise. As a comic you are regularly using words in a way that is more advanced than your attackers. The temptation to unleash a barrage of insults, ridicule and barbs can be almost impossible to resist. Here's the advise... take the high road. Say thank you to every insult and slight no matter how personal. Then go on. It isn't fair to bring a machine gun to a pop gun fight and it shows a real lack of maturity. Sticks and stones can break your bones but names can maim ya...

Just trying to be comic in an election sets you apart from most people... to use your skill in attacking those less prepared... is just plain bullying. If you can't take a person calling you an asshole because of one of the jokes you delivered... you really shouldn't be in the comedy profession...try being a City manager... they never get questioned.