Laura's standup routine

I like to think of myself as a liberal with a sense of humor, but in my opinion Laura's routine at the White House Correspondents Dinner Saturday night was sickening.

The jokes were not funny. The pokes she took at her husband and his family were way too true to be funny. What's more, I hate the way they keep putting her out there to soften his image. I hate the way she allows herself to take on this role.

And even worse was listening to the correspondents crack up at her routine. I could think of no better illustration of the enabler relationship between the White House and the mainstream media. Even Al Franken, who is talking right now about how much fun it was, seems part of the problem. Was anyone watching? Did anyone see Colbert laugh at her routine?

So I guess I have to give up my cherished image of myself as a liberal-who-laughs. I'm really interested in hearing what other people have to say on this subject. Oh, and by the way, Lynne Cheney aka Dollar Bill? Not a fun image.

[UPDATE]: Even the reliable Dan Froomkin thought she was great. Clearly, there's something to this inside/outside the Beltway notion. That the Washington press corps is way inside is no news. But seeing them yukking it up with the administration is deeply upsetting anyway.