The election cycle of 2010 was a carnival of making suspiciously – not totally unjustified – with a few bright spots of political humor. Sometimes, depending on your point of view, the outrage was the comedy. Here’s a look at 10 of the appointment that live in the past 2 November, for better or for worse:
1. “I’m not a witch”
Delaware Republican Christine O’Donnell, in response to the commotion surrounding his admission of decades-old “dabbled in witchcraft,” opens its first advertising campaign with the memorable “I’m not a witch” line. (See ad.) Later told ABC News he regrets what the ad, because he wants people to think of it as “a woman who wants to lower taxes,” not “a woman who is not a witch.”
2. “Man, Harry Reid”
Nevada Republican Party Tea Sharron Angle doubts the virility of Senate Majority Leader Reid in his first (and only) debate. She made her comment in the unlikely context of Social Security solvency. (See video)
3. “Do not leave me here in the wind”
Embattled Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY) Harlem icon, begged his colleagues to expedite the House ethics at trial to be held before the election (no), in a speech critical captivating 37-minute plant called hiking and “often incoherent.” (See video)
4. “Nooooooooo! Goooooooooo!”
South Carolina Democrat Alvin Greene – the inexperienced underdog “Forrest Gump” style chosen to challenge Senator Jim DeMint (R) – not exactly enhance his credibility, “howls and laments” the words “no” and “go” for a local TV reporter. (Here’s a local news report)
5. “God, what is that hair? Soooooo yesterday!”
California GOP Senate hopes Carly Fiorina was captured in a live microphone repeating a friend’s “malicious” comment about Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA). On the back cover, Fiorina said people often comment on her short hair, a result of cancer treatment. (See video)
6. “I have a message from the tea party … We have come to take our government back”
Paul Rand Republican, candidate for U.S. Senate in Kentucky, made his remarks after defeating quotable “establishment” GOP pick Trey Grayson in the primary. (See video)
7. “I do not give them the keys. They do not know how to drive!”
Obama made a car analogy made in a stemwinder Labor Day in Wisconsin. Short version: The Republican Party led our country into a ditch, “Democrats pushed him out, and the Republican Party wants the keys. (See video)
8. “Gather your armies!”
Rick Barber Tea Partier Alabama raised some eyebrows in an ad with a “fantasy” George Washington character – part of Barber’s failed attempt to win the GOP nomination for a seat in the House. (See ad)
9. “He can have your support and really push it as far as I’m concerned”
Rhode Island, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Frank Caprio could not keep his anger to himself after President Obama chose not to tacitly support Caprio, while supporting Lincoln Chafee, a former Republican who is mounting a third-party bid. (Here’s a report from Fox News)
10. “What about saying she is a whore?”
An unidentified adviser Jerry Brown (D) the infamous question about the rival candidate for governor of California Meg Whitman (R) in a strategy meeting that was recorded accidentally on a telephone answering machine (and then filtered). Whitman Brown hammered on the comment in the debates and on television.
The 10 citations notorious 2010 election