Jonathan Leigh Solomon: Obama Can Use Humor to Connect with Voters and Corner McCain

At some point during tonight's presidential debate in Nashville, an audience member will ask Barack Obama some sort of question concerning his "character." Obama's answer should include the following: Well, yes, I've even heard I've been "palling around with terrorists." But you know, sometimes in political campaigns people are going to say things that aren't true. If Senator McCain is willing to put up with being called a "maverick," I can put up with a few people saying, I've palled around with terrorists. As Ronald Reagan proved, a judicious use of humor during a political campaign can be very good strategy. For Obama, particularly tonight, this could be especially true. His cool, calm style has paid off lately, seeming to answer the question for many voters, "could this guy be president?" But town hall-style debates raise another question important to voters: "Is this guy a recognizable facsimile of a human?" Connecting with the audience by way of humor will produce the sort of warm, ... (link)