McCain and Lawyer Jokes

Until now, I've been quite about the presidential election. I've been listening - not voicing an opinion. However, my friend Rich Klein of Riverside Public Relations forwarded me Peter Lattman's post today from yesterday's Wall Street Journal Law Blog.

John McCain: Not a Lawyer, But Loves a Good Lawyer Joke
Posted by Peter Lattman

The Law Blog hasn’t focused much on John McCain because, well, he’s not a lawyer
and the other leading candidates — click here for Law Blog art — all wield JDs.
Perhaps it’s because he’s emerging as a front runner, but today we’re shining
the spotlight twice on the Arizona senator.A Law Blog reader alerted us to a
lawyer joke that McCain delivered on the stump today in Boston. We checked in
with our WSJ colleagues on the campaign trail, who told us that he delivers the
routine at many events, and even told it on the Tonight Show last week:What is
the difference between a catfish and a lawyer?One is a scum sucking bottom
dweller. The other is a fish.McCain then says, “There goes the lawyer vote.” (We
wonder what Sen. Lindsey Graham, one of his closest confidants, traveling
companions and an Air Force reserve JAG attorney, thinks of the bit?)Law Blog
Question of the Day: Law Blog readers, what should we make of a leading
presidential candidate going after the profession so aggressively? And while
we’re at it, any wannabe presidential speechwriters care to give McCain more
lawyer joke fodder?Update: We just heard from Jill Hazelbaker, a spokeswoman for
the McCain campaign. When asked for clarification on the comment, she said,
simply: “It’s a joke.”

Personally, I am so disappointed to read this. In response to Jill Hazelbaker's statement that negative stereotyping is a “joke,” then perhaps McCain’s speech writers should come up with some “jokes” targeted at other professions. While they’re at it, perhaps they want to “joke” about race, gender, religion, ethnicity, etc. There are a lot of great diversity training programs out there - perhaps it’s time the McCain camp invests. Until now, I was on the fence about who I was voting for. This has made up my mind!

Rock the Vote : Youth Involvement in 2008 Presidential Elections

There is only a year until the voting for the next President of the United States gets underway. Campaigns such as MTV’s Choose or Lose or Rock the Vote have cultivated youth all across the America to stand up, voice their opinions, and vote!

As a recent graduate of Drexel University, I am glad to say that my alma matter supports this movement. Recently hosting the Democratic debates, the student response was overwhelming; inspiring some members of the student body to spar on “who won” the debate. Check the article out here, it’s a great read.

I also urge you to pass on a new youth campaign initiative, Scoop08.com that will utilize blogs, podcasts and networking tools that interest America’s youth.