Too Funny To Be President

by Morris K. Udall

"With a bumper crop of presidential candidates surfacing, I have concluded that a plague of presidentialitis has swept the nation. Speaking from experience, I must remind all these worthy contenders that once this dreaded disease— whose symptoms include delusions of grandeur and an urge to make repeated visits to Iowa— gets into a man’s bloodstream, it can only be cured by embalming fluid." —Mo UdallMorris "Mo" Udall, Arizona's Democratic congressman for thirty years, was as well known for his sense of humor as for his dedication to environmental causes. And it was during his 1976 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, when he claims he drew more laughter than votes, that James K. Kilpatrick pronounced him "too funny to be president."Udall kept four black notebooks of jokes that he had collected throughout his public life. Some he heard in the courtroom or on the floor of the House; others he found in old speeches and newspaper articles; still others he swiped on the rubber-chicken circuit. This book, a memoir of Udall's career, collects many of those jokes to create a citizen's guide to the lighter side of politics."After due deliberation and two stiff drinks," Udall writes, "I decided to go ahead and write this book because I'm convinced that humor is as necessary to the health of our political discourse as it is in our private lives." Too Funny To Be President is a testament to the Udall spirit—and an example to all who would win the public's heart.

Genres: Politics, Memoir, Nonfiction, History, Biography, Humor

249 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1987

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

The late Congressman Morris "Mo" Udall was one of that rare breed: the successful progressive Western politician. He was also noted for his sense of humor. Too Funny to be President is his autobiography, but it's more a collection of Udall's jokes (and of other political humor that he enjoyed over the years) than a true autobiography.

The book was written during the first Reagan term, but it's truly startling to see so many familiar names. Even thirty years later, a lot of the people that Udall knew and worked with are still in the halls of power. One anecdote in particular fascinated me: it was about fringe 2008 Democratic Presidential candidate Mike Gravel of Alaska. According to Udall, he was, despite being a fellow Democrat, quite the loose cannon; in fact, Udall portrays him pretty clearly as an out-and-out kook.

What I hadn't heard was that long ago Gravel blocked a major piece of legislation about the division of land in Alaska, making it necessary for him to make a special flight back to Alaska to regroup and plan strategy with his fellow Senator: Ted Stevens. Senator Stevens, of course, is noted for having been recently convicted on seven felony charges, and finally lost his seat two days ago on his 85th birthday, when he was defeated in his attempt to win re-election.

Here's the interesting thing: because of Gravel's apparently out-of-the-blue refusal to accept a previously-negotiated compromise, Stevens had to fly back to Alaska with his wife. Their plane crashed while attempting to land. Stevens was badly injured, and his wife was killed. She was, of course, his first wife; it was his second wife who attempted to shoulder the blame for his misconduct at his recent trial.

Stevens blamed Gravel for his wife's death for the rest of his life, according to Udall.

The book is studded with interesting stories about political figures from today's headlines. It's also filled with stories and humor from much of America's history.

That said...I have to admit that I was surprised that the book wasn't funnier. Udall comes off as an awfully funny, nice guy (it's a pity that witty, progressive Mormon politicians like him are so rare compared to relatively humorless conservative LDS members like Orrin Hatch, Mitt Romney, and even Harry Reid). He was, with a few missteps, a good environmentalist and an extremely intelligent and liberal Democrat.

But while there were definitely a few good laughs in the book, I'd heard many of his stories before. In some cases, even from the same book! There was a surprising amount of duplication of stories within the book itself, which seems quite inexplicable to me. Of course many of his best stories have since been picked up and used by others, which inevitably makes them lose their freshness.

Nonetheless, I certainly don't regret reading Too Funny to be President. Although some of the humor fell flat, enough of it worked and there were enough interesting anecdotes to make it worth the time. I just wish that Udall had had a chance to actually be President.

[Lane Willson · Rating 4 out of 5]

No joke, I really liked this book! Among the headwaters of American liberalism you will find Arizona’s Morris Udall. As such there is virtually no issue where he and I find agreement. But I have always had a strange affinity for some of my comrades on the left. Barbara Jordan, Scoop Jackson, Paul Simon, and a few others have always had my admiration.

Udall’s sense of humor masterfully disarms opponents, and his willingness to be the punch line works wonders preventing any personal dislike. Too Funny to be President recounts Udall’s response to the madness of governing a nation. The only thing missing is any bitterness. Every now and again Udall’s politics appears. Written in 1988, President Reagan was still the focus of liberal ire, and Udall never backs away from his opposition to the dogma of the right.

Too Funny to be President is a great read regardless of one’s politics, and Morris Udall himself is a great reminder that despite Washington’s dysfunction, there are still public servants with a true heart, ample wisdom, and a great sense of humor that offer us at least some hope.

[Phillip · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a mostly enjoyable book. It has the kind of humor that your grandfather would think is funny, and there is a randomly substantive few chapters on environmental policy. I was not familiar with Mo Udall, other than vaguely knowing he had run for president once. So, don't really recommend it. I suppose it would be a good bathroom book, if you do that sort of thing.

[Howard Brooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mo Udall had a long career in the House of Representatives where he represented the Tucson area; he served as chair of the House Interior Committee for many years. Udall had a reputation as a good speaker who used humor frequently. This book is a collection of the jokes he told. It's worth reading, but it's not a particularly great book.

[Ronald · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although comedy and writing may not have been his strong suits, Mo Udall did use his long career in Congress to collaborate with his brother Stewart, Sec. of Interior, to expand our national parks and resist efforts to exploit them for profit.

[Ben Goodridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another one via the yard sale. Mo Udall's Reagan-era autobiography seems quaint in the Age of Trump. God knows what he would have made of the guy.

[Ellison · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of stories about politics with occasional humor. He ran for President in 1976, and lost to...JIMMY CARTER! Some swearing. Names known and unknown.

[Kati · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know if I would call this a memoir, a tell-all, or just a satirical look at his political career, but Mo Udall is a fantastic writer and I thoroughly enjoyed his style and approach to the subject of humor in politics. It is impressive how relevant the topics in the book remain, however I think a sequel from a woman in politics is definitely needed, as this is decidedly from a man's perspective in an era when there were few female elected officials. Published in 1988, he dedicates the book to "the three thousand members of Congress, living and dead, with whom I served for nearly three decades."

[Renae · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a soft spot for Mo, but even if I didn't I would have really enjoyed this book. It is a great insiders look at some political battles in Congress, a Presidential campaign, and the life of a politician. And the humorous stories and jokes laced throughout is great!

[Bret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read @ Mo's experience in Congress & running for president. He was an inspiring leader. Mo's collection of jokes at the end of the book were also great - I marked a lot of them, and am tempted to start memorizing & delivering jokes like Mo' did.

[Vadim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Написанные с юмором мемуары ведущего деятеля Демократической партии США, который, по его словам, во время кампании за выдвижение президентом получил больше улыбок, чем голосов.