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The current politician who had a mastery of humor was Ronald Regan (formerly Bozo the clown). It was used to great effect - mostly to villianize Russia, but as

The current politician who had a mastery of humor was Ronald Regan (formerly Bozo the clown). It was used to great effect - mostly to villianize Russia, but as needed against all of his opponents. When he was criticized for his age, he responded "I won't use my opponent's lack of experience against him" gaining a laugh and owning the conversation (worth watching). It also made him more approachable and liked by the common man (and hated by the media, but whatever...) "I've instructed my aids that in case of emergency they should wake me in all circumstances; even in a cabinet meeting!"

permo-w 5y ago
Reagan often used humour in the form of jokes that were clearly laid out in a very traditional way: joke set-up, unexpected twist His humour took a very defined and clever format. However, he’s absolutely not the recent politician to use humour. While Trump’s humour is less clearly defined than Reagan’s, he still uses it to great effect. The same for Boris Johnson, or Putin, and Obama too. Especially Trump though. Trump plays his rallies like a stand-up gig
- sam_goody 5y ago
  While I agree, I am afraid to comment positively about anything Trump does (especially as he sells more enthusiasm and less humor). I mentioned once to some friends how much I enjoyed watching part of a rally, and was stonewalled.
bryanrasmussen 5y ago
>The current politician who had a mastery of humor was Ronald Regan (formerly Bozo the clown). I don't believe Reagan was ever Bozo, perhaps you are thinking of his starring role in Bedtime For Bonzo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedtime_for_Bonzo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedtime_for_Bonzo in which he also did not play Bonzo.
- dredmorbius 5y ago
  And further: Bonzo wasn't a clown, but a chimpanzee. (The confusion between "Bonzo" and "Bozo", as well as between chimp and clown, appears to be widespread, FWIW. Also between "Reagan" and "Regan".)
mandmandam 5y ago
Doug Gamble wrote that shit; Reagan was just dry Satan toast.

permo-w 5y ago

Reagan often used humour in the form of jokes that were clearly laid out in a very traditional way: joke set-up, unexpected twist His humour took a very defined and clever format. However, he’s absolutely not the recent politician to use humour. While Trump’s humour is less clearly defined than Reagan’s, he still uses it to great effect. The same for Boris Johnson, or Putin, and Obama too. Especially Trump though. Trump plays his rallies like a stand-up gig

sam_goody 5y ago
While I agree, I am afraid to comment positively about anything Trump does (especially as he sells more enthusiasm and less humor). I mentioned once to some friends how much I enjoyed watching part of a rally, and was stonewalled.

bryanrasmussen 5y ago

>The current politician who had a mastery of humor was Ronald Regan (formerly Bozo the clown). I don't believe Reagan was ever Bozo, perhaps you are thinking of his starring role in Bedtime For Bonzo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedtime_for_Bonzo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bedtime_for_Bonzo in which he also did not play Bonzo.

dredmorbius 5y ago
And further: Bonzo wasn't a clown, but a chimpanzee. (The confusion between "Bonzo" and "Bozo", as well as between chimp and clown, appears to be widespread, FWIW. Also between "Reagan" and "Regan".)

mandmandam 5y ago

Doug Gamble wrote that shit; Reagan was just dry Satan toast.