When Congress makes a joke : congressional humor then and now / Dean L. Yarwood.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Yarwood, Dean L.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Legislators.

United States--Politics and government--Humor.

United States.

Politics and government.

Legislators--United States--Humor.

United States. Congress--Humor.

United States. Congress.

Legislators--United States--Biography.

United States. Congress--Biography.

American wit and humor.

Genre:

Humor.

Biographies.

Physical Description:

xii, 161 pages ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Lanham, Md. : Rowman & Littlefield, [2004]

Summary:

When Congress Makes a Joke is an engaging look at the intentional use of humor by members of Congress, exploring their humor as political communication. Highlighting several politicians noted for their use of humor--including Senators Robert Dole and Alan Simpson and Representatives Patricia Schroeder and Barney Frank, among others--this intriguing book features original personal interviews with the Congress members, allowing them to talk about their own (and others') use of humor in political ways.

Contents:

Speaking humor to power

Congressional humor, from John Randolph of Roanoke to Mo Udall

Humorous stories and the identification of social norms : the Senate club

Cruel humor : the integration of African American members into Congress

Irreverent theater : congressional humor and the gender revolution

In their own words : congressional humorists talk humor

Conclusion : keep 'em laughin'.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 143-149) and index.

ISBN:

0742530426

0742530434

OCLC:

54082162