Tom Lehrer Quotes

I'm a politician, and as you know, politicians are rarely very funny.

You're running to be prime minister - it's hard to be the person who makes jokes.

Nowadays, you cannot be a very Effective political figure without Having a demonstrable sense of humor. People take to it.

Chris Rock does the political thing really well, but that never worked for me.

Bob Dole used to be really funny. Barney Frank can be kind of funny. Bob Kerrey has a good sense of humor.

Even when I lecture per se, I am a joke comedian, I can do the voices.

It's always fun to put fake celebrities in unlikely situations, but somehow it's even more fun when politicians are involved.

The importance of satire is bringing more people to the table. There are a lot of average citizens who aren't interested in politics and would be more interested if it's brought to them in a comedic, funny, satirical way.

Whenever anybody is pursuing power, he's got to be funny.

I love comedians that dive into politics. I personally don't feel comfortable, with my background, weighing in unless I have a take that I think is funny enough that I would put it in front of an audience.

You have to have a sense of humor about all of it - the Emmys and politics and everything.

Everything is changing. People are taking their comedians seriously and the politicians as a joke.

What I have never been afraid of is to be a little silly, and you can engage people that way. My view is, first you get them to laugh, then you get them to listen.

There's such a rich history in 'SNL' of political humor, and I think audience members expect that from us.

The job of a comedian is to make people laugh, but a lot of my interests are in politics so I'm going to use that.

The first obligation I have is to be funny; it's my first impulse and an instinct. I like being funny and finding the jokes.

Wit puts politicians at risk.

I wouldn't have the slightest interest in running for public office. I'd rather make jokes about politicians than become one of them.

I'm amused by a lot of things. I love humor. I'm constantly joking around.

I care about politics, but I have a tough time making comedy out of it. I was so happy to have a chance to be on The Daily Show, and I think Jon Stewart's so funny... but mostly in my own comedy, I care about less relevant things.

I've often heard it said a preacher might learn with a comedian for a teacher.

In comedy laughter settles all arguments.

Politicians can do more funny things naturally than I can think of to do purposely

It’s been a very old thing for people to gather together and laugh at stuff. The first comedian in America really was Abraham Lincoln. He used to go to a pub near where he lived and stand in front of the fire and he packed the place every night and he would just talk and bust everybody in their guts. He was just a hilarious speaker and that’s what he did.

You don't have to think really hard to get the joke. I think humor in general appeals to all people.