Al Smith Dinner 2008 (Full Video)

[@Spartan9299]

That stretch from 16:00-17:05 and his sincere comments about Obama are what set McCain above the crowd in this era of sad divisiveness. RIP.

[@pdoylemi]

+ Spartan9299 Yes. Two fine men who disagreed able to get along - what a concept today! I urge you to, as I have done, contact your senators and your representative to have the next aircraft carrier named for John McCain. I did not support him politically, but he was a fine man and a patriot. And as a former Naval Aviator, there could be no higher tribute.

[@signed_Bewildered]

Excellent comment and fully agree

[@lonniealexanderjohnsonsr.7057]

100% in agreement! Politics need not be absent of respect and reflection! I assume we are in our current political position due to lies and misdirection of the American people. We arrived at this point amassed by decades of small lies and misdirection by our political leaders!

[@nabe8866]

John is a great American. John is well missed.

[@Boaz833]

Exactly, and I felt that McCain got the last laugh when Arizona went blue in 2020 for the first time ever (when the candidates were not from Arizona).

[@craigborrenpohl1233]

Thank you Maverick not only for your public service but more importantly your public service ethic. R.I.P. Captain

[@horseangels]

This is what governing is and was always supposed to be. Two men from opposite viewpoints who managed to not only be respectful but be friends.

[@HoldenNY22]

They are all part of the Uni-Party.

[@CyndeLooWho]

Sure-this was Obama in 2008, his 1st term, when he had no history and no explanations to make. By 2012, that wasn’t the case. People were upset about the economy and the country wanted change. So, Mr. Nice Guy went nuclear on Mitt Romney, creating ads that actually blamed Mitt for someone dying of cancer. It was the ugliest campaign I’d seen. That’s when Republicans said “The gloves are coming off” and looked for a fighter. Because, if Democrats had no qualms vilifying the most milquetoast candidate on earth, they’ll do it to anyone and you fight fire with fire. Democrats should think about that every time they consider pushing things too far.

[@TallgrassMeander]

I'm proud to say I turned 18 in 2008 and cast my first vote in what ended up being one of the last elections before the death of American politics. I voted for Obama, but had nothing but respect for McCain.

[@wurdofwizdumb1928]

America is still alive and around brother. Don’t give up hope. At difficult times is when a society needs its strongest men. ❤️

[@mandingo9999998]

With you on that. Although 2012 was similar. Mitt Romney was a fundamentally decent, ethical person as well, whatever issues one might have with him. We would have been fine with either choice in 2008 or 2012. But when mentioning the death of American politics, that can't be mentioned without citing blame - both parties have their wacky fringe and bad ideas. But only one party elected a D-list celebrity, lying scumbag. One so stupid, he doesn't understand anything about the institutions of democracy in this country. He tried to overthrow our government. People in his name stormed our capital and wiped their shit on the walls. Never, ever imagined I'd say this ten years ago - but I will never vote for a Republican again till the day I die.

[@haydricht6899]

That's one thing that's stuck out to me about 2008. Both Barack Obama and John McCain had relatively high approvals with voters going into election day, I think McCain had about 55% and Obama had 58% approval. Nowadays, we have candidates with equally high disapprovals.

[@wurdofwizdumb1928]

@@haydricht6899 Both John and Obama respected each other. They both made jokes together. They both fought against each other with principles and values.

[@Gyongy501]

I miss the intelligent, thoughtful and yet humorous ribbing between two great man who appreciate each other despite differences. I cannot imagine trump doing the same. I miss you Senator McCain so much and your kind of Republicans.

[@bernlin2000]

I miss being able to choose between two decent people as the leader of our country...good times, better than I realized at the time.

[@gentlemanjim480]

Quite right! What a sad state of affairs right now.

[@jeremyhowell8235]

speaking on 11/7/2020 with Biden elected - any chance now of a return to this age of goodwill and decency?

[@ryanhines3537]

Until 2016, I always considered both candidates.

[@krkMuse]

I know you come back here for McCain. Me, too.

[@austinplays9891]

When Obama made the joke about his grey hair, I was thinking "you have no idea what's coming in these next eight years"

[@judytayler4357]

Austin, have you seen the comparison pictures of all the presidents at the inauguration and then 8 years later? It proves your point. People can get up in arms all they like but that is a daunting job so if you are not qualified it really shows! Both these men would have made great presidents and I have no doubt that John running against someone else could likely have taken it and would have been a good president. I am team Obama but having watched his 3 celebrations of his life from beginning to end I can say he was a fine man right to the end ~ a gentleman.

[@EricCharlesGraham]

@@judytayler4357 absolutely. McCain was a fine man.

[@emiliajojo5703]

I am from Germany and you are so damn right

[@wurdofwizdumb1928]

When you made this joke 6 years ago, you had no idea what was coming.

[@maherchebib5109]

Can we get back to this level of respect and decency? WTF happened?

[@TomLloyd-18]

T R U M P - that's what happened

[@judytayler4357]

The election was stolen. That is what happened.

[@northman1416]

Your tears still taste sooo good. On a honest note, it's amazing that you guys think Trump is to blame, the only difference is Trump just doesn't sit back and take the abuse from the left like Romney, McCain and Bush took it. It is that simple fact that has driven leftist insane, we finally have a republican that punches back and he's changed it forever, Trump has forced the right to grow a set of balls.

[@SandraRosario-mi1zs]

I miss it so much...I am sadden about the change of this country. I want to be proud of this Country again 😔♥️

[@KosherCookery]

Politics has become religion.

[@luwibuchike5299]

McCain was a great man during all campaign 2008.He had real principles not matter was going with journey in his campaign.

[@mwb6188]

yeah, both men, he and obama, were great sports.

[@emiliajojo5703]

from Germany: you need more politicians like John McCain rest in peace

[@Zzoarqg]

Rest In Peace to a great American hero.

[@francescam3371]

God bless John McCain, a true patriot, may he rest in peace.

[@jamesdichiara632]

obama we need you back now more than ever.

[@djwarreng]

This is what the American voter deserves from their candidates.

[@cheemsandbeans7952]

16:00 McCain's comments were so great. I feel they both would've been terrific presidents! It's great to see this! A shame to see the hatred in the 2016 election.

[@SandraRosario-mi1zs]

Sen. McCain and Pres. Obama are men of values. They are Class Act 👏🏼👏🏼🥰

[@ryanhines3537]

And now even worse in 2024!

[@ridingdmetro]

That time when rivalry was civilized and respect for your opponent was honored. There was a certain class to the competition and a level of applause due to a game well-played! Salute to the last truly respected Republican - John McCain! May you find peace.

[@ridingdmetro]

@JCTJR98 Bullying through venom and expletive laced dialogue just underlines your abject ignorance of history and also any facts to back your rhetoric. Is this all that Trumpism has to offer you? And, in case it wasn't apparent to you - You just proved my point! My statement still stands as long as there's such hate and expletive filled responses devoid of basic decency and common courtesy. I do wish you have a good day mate!

[@rosaravello4275]

Yes, but remember Obama and Hillary never showed that respect for Trump or the people who voted for them

[@madrerusiavladimir8032]

Jhon mccain is resting in hell. A war criminal.

[@tinadgr8]

Ah the respect and civility of yesteryear

[@mcd3379]

McCain's speech was masterful - whether he wrote it or he was assisted by a team of writers, it will go down as one of the best if not the best ever speeches given at the Al Smith Dinner. It had it all - comedy, sincerity and perfect timing. It will remembered forever and is one for the ages.

[@dansmodacct]

it was fantastic!

[@zxbc1]

Definitely. And it contains a jab at Obama's relatively easy rise to power with the Al Smith praise, which I thought was rather acerbic, but all with due respect to both, especially together with his recognition of the significance of a potentially first Black POTUS. It is hard to be a politician of this kind - sharp, combative, humorous, intelligent, and on top of it all, polite and honorable. It's just sad to see the retarded Trumpist kids ruining the discourse in a matter of a decade following this.

[@macwchan]

He is sorely missed.

[@2bleubird]

McCain absolutely killed it. The part at the end nearly made me weep. Donald Trump is barely even a fraction of the man John McCain was.

[@jadielspencer8743]

You probably dont care but if you are bored like me atm you can watch all the latest movies on instaflixxer. I've been binge watching with my gf for the last days =)

[@jamesonrayan1621]

@Jadiel Spencer definitely, I have been using InstaFlixxer for since december myself =)

[@eltiganiosman7427]

So much respect between the two of them yet they couldn’t disagree more about issues !!!that’s the way our democracy should be !!😭

[@stebossm3195]

When politics was for gentlemen...what a delight...rip McCAin..this liberal veteran salutes you...God speed.

[@faireplaymedia7622]

McCain and Obama were both gentlemen, scholars, and patriots… Each wanting to try to bring out the best of America but different views on how to do it but love of country was sincere on both sides. They were able to make and take a joke at each other‘s expense… I admire John McCain for standing up for Obama when a woman at one of his campaign rally‘s accused Obama of being a traitor and an Arab and McCain shouted her down and said that that was not true that he was a patriot and a loving family man and respectable. It later came out that McCain was not a stranger to the White House during the Obama years… They had private time together at the White House and then McCain asked Obama to give a eulogy on his behalf at his funeral along with George Bush… Because he knew that both men would set the tone for American discourse and politics that he believed in. In death, he saw to it that there were voices that would speak his principles in perilous times for a nation he loved.

[@morrisdunbar8269]

The good old days....RIP an American hero

[@onaqtip]

This is what other countries admire about america - it's your democratic institutions that have so many republican, democratic or independant leaders like John McCain, anyone can see how much he gave to serve his country, unperturbed, patriotic in every sense, Rest easy Mr McCain.

[@yacobz]

Here here!

[@bcrcndr]

Both men great class acts. RIP Mr. McCain

[@ponceperales1041]

7:00 Senator John McCain. 24:00 Barack Obama. 44:00 Thank you!

[@Sherirose1]

Thanks.

[@AMAINE207]

Damn that was an awesome speech by McCain, in these polarized times it's refreshing.

[@Pwj579]

Yeah it was unpolarizing, because they were both Democrats

[@bigdog8891]

Thanks posting this at this time. Goodbye to you John. May your soul be blessed with eternal peace and happiness.

[@stebossm3195]

McCain disagree with you 99% of the time ..but you are a gentleman and a class act.

[@pedro5941]

lol so did the other guy who spoke

[@user-kb7do4wn8q]

RIP

[@aaronf.186]

And that's the legacy of Senator John McCain. We can disagree with each other 99% of the time and still show respect to each other, as long as we carry ourselves with dignity and class. Rest in peace to a real American hero and patriot.

[@judytayler4357]

Sleep in heavenly peace.

[@arthurchristiansamenu359]

The good old time! Long gone!

[@Anduril919]

Best Al Smith Dinner speech ever from McCain!

[@Anduril919]

McCain’s speech was the best Al Smith dinner speech ever. (Obama’s was pretty lousy in comparison)

[@ER0CK5_]

They were both excellent.

[@christianschneider6538]

This was great. Two great Americans having good fun at each other's expense. Clinton vs. Trump is gonna be TERRIFYING

[@coyote000]

And?

[@farid1406]

It was

[@tjwilson7164]

Jackpot! you called it! now give me lotto numbers!

[@WorkloadWithdrawal]

always gives me heartburn

[@user-iy8vq7xr2n]

2 great Americans???? You mean the 2 traitors? The one who got elected is a disgrace and has practically killed your Constitution with his unconstitutional and illegal Executive Orders. One is the NCAA and Mcain helped write the friggin thing. Both big globalist puppets pigs.

[@chrismorfas7515]

The last genuinely bipartisan moment in American politics?

[@thechosenone1533]

That was in 2012.

[@peterkroth524]

RIP, Senator McCain.

[@leroywatkins4891]

ahhh dem years when both candidates were funny, civil

[@jerihewitt9360]

Oh i so miss you John McCain. You stood for what is true.

[@miguelvera7021]

"I can't wish my opponent luck but I wish him well"..RIP Senator!

[@kmoore02809]

Interesting watching this 16 years later. First, you can tell that Obama looked quite uncomfortable at times. He hadn’t yet honed his sense of comedic timing, almost like he was reading from cue card to cue card. He would get much better at this as the years went on. His White House Correspondents dinner speeches are cases in point. Second, the grace which both McCain and Obama showed each other on that stage was wonderful. Contrast Obama’s heartfelt statements of appreciation for McCain’s service to the country with Trump’s crude and cruel attacks on his being a prisoner of war, and you see how far down our politics have fallen.

[@dross2172]

I see from all the comments below that others were, like me, feeling nostalgic. The current events taking place in Washington are both terrifying and very sad.

[@signed_Bewildered]

You're absolutely right

[@Theemasterplan1]

Boy that old guy, sitting in the back on the right side of the speaker, he has one hell of an appetite!

[@Ex0dus111]

Gotta admit, Im an Obama guy, but Mccains speach was better. I dont agree with the mans politics, but he seems to be a genuine stand up guy.

[@niznomores7961]

Love reminiscing the good ole times of decent men roasting each other with humor. Each respecting one another's viewpoints.

[@margaritamcanally5545]

Fabulous!!!

[@michaelj0023]

Republican or Democrat either way, I love this video!

[@MKNinja]

I voted last week for Barack Obama here in Florida. Early voting :)

[@hermangeerlings928]

When civility and mutual respect between opponents ruled

[@MrJud]

i thought this would be more of the same stuff you hear all over the news, but the humor that both portrayed really humanizes them.

[@tigretuber222]

both did pretty well on their speeches. just brilliant!

[@Sherirose1]

You're honest.

[@foodlover6182]

John McCain is so respectable!

[@Luis-xr6ec]

When civility actually meant something.

[@RyanInLA]

civil or phony

[@EmpressMermaid]

Why can't we have grown ups running for office anymore?

[@LisaDesMarteau-f9v]

The service for him was amazing in which all of my favorite presidents spoke

[@johnparamore828]

This is one of the best dinner of our times with macaine a war hero and first black president as a black Republican my hat goes out for this one

[@viokand]

This is my first time of watching this video, and it's damn funny, RIP John McCain

[@sonakshipal8470]

No republican or democrat has the grace,class and brains like these two ❤️✨ American politics really went downhill after McCain and Obama... no cheap disses just lighthearted humour

[@FaridaSoemawidjaja]

Obama is smart, brave, and charming. He knows he got it and it’s great. John Mccain final note is gracious, good man he was.

[@deeprecce9852]

2 good man, one gone to be with his maker the other no longer holds office, the result...a country in shatters..

[@deborahboyd3189]

Both Obama and McCain were masterful. This will always be my favorite Al Smith dinner. Thanks gentlemen for the laughs and especially the civility.

[@daviderickson3483]

I wish the Republican party hadn't lost their way. John McCain was the last good one.

[@injakim7997]

Again, Again, I miss J MaCain, decent man.

[@363Magi]

The Cardinal Archbishop of New York is the one who really has the power in that crowd. Not the puppets that sit left and right of him.

[@TheRealBizWiz]

*I don’t give a damn what anyone says. I like Hillary Clinton. She just kicks back, enjoys her wine and stays cool as a cucumber.* _Much love to reasonable people too. We need sanity more than ever now._

[@alexfish5028]

BizWiz she also helped rigged the DNC nomination and refuses to help the poorest Americans in favour of helping big business. #feelthebern

[@TheRealBizWiz]

Alex Fish 🤦🏻‍♂️ *You forgot to mention that she was also behind 9/11, part of the Illuminati, killed people in Benghazi, shot JFK, started communism and WWII.*

[@alexfish5028]

BizWiz ummm no I’m just showing that she ain’t no saint. Just cos I don’t like her doesn’t mean I think the earth is flat. It that type of logic and elitism that lost her the election.

[@sarahlynch8288]

I love her too. I think she’s great. I don’t know why so many people don’t like her. I suspect it’s because she has a vagina and opinions. Always remember: Hillary won the popular vote. Most who voted voted for her.

[@alexfish5028]

Sarah Lynch no it’s not. You can’t just dismiss people who disagree with you as sexists.

[@taylorbarrett384]

The best two candidates we've ever had in a single election.

[@simeonapajarillo3484]

It's always great to see John McCain smiling always and forever

[@ramel79]

Back when we used to elect a President not a CLOWN!!!

[@CansteamHeadcannon]

Here's to a less divisive future.

[@edmelanson1351]

RIP John McCain 😢

[@johanleplat4034]

good old times...

[@TH-sz9jr]

I love this!!

[@magicsteps]

That was great !

[@thatotherkid9210]

this should be recognized as an testament to the relative decency of our history!! precious stuff

[@jamesharris5301]

Man I miss Sen. McCain...

[@ryanhines3537]

Back when politics was civil and about the issues. Both candidates try to bring people together but acknowledge disagreements about policies. Until 2016, I always considered both candidates and its gotten worse since. Very sad.

[@meet_jagtap]

Not gonna lie, McCain was funnier than Obama here.

[@peacefulmind-o6x]

If you want to really cry, watch Megan Mccains eulogy at Senator McCains funeral. A clear display of a daughters love for her dad.

[@geekyzombie]

Visiting in 2024, remembering when we could come together as one nation in decency and respect for one another, politics be damned.

[@aocsimp4928]

Yeah, watch a maga rally

[@RUinlove31]

McCain has some good comic writers in his office

[@paul353]

civility. remember that?

[@ChuckDickens24]

There need to be more events like this.

[@Junnie94112]

These 2 men have class. And today's American political landscape is just ridiculous.

[@hutch1197]

Well, as it turned out "Joe the Plumber" wasn't even a licensed plumber, didn't make enough money to be getting a tax increase, and...wait for it...wasn't even named Joe.

[@livinusnnaji49]

This was old days

[@paul353]

civility remember that?

[@dippykyippy]

Both guys havent looked better before now. I like their human side. GO OBAMA : )

[@hanningtonemwagodi5559]

Who is here in 2019???

[@Jedhyr]

Moderate Socialism does not equal Communism. Get your facts straight.

[@monkeysuncle2816]

Social democracy, just like the successful and happy Scandanavian countries. (NOT state owned, controlled businesses, or 100% equally divided incomes. )

[@jinjinders]

If John McCain had become president in 2000 this world would be a better place

[@newt0830]

what about 2008?? oh that's right....he was up against the Savior

[@judytayler4357]

So right!

[@bobbob4245]

we would probably be in a few more unjustified wars. sounds like a much better place

[@newt0830]

Afghanistan was UNJUSTIFIED??.....hmm..i guess somebody forgot 9/11

[@daddyleon]

Yeah... that would've been great, even better if Al Gore won then ;) You can't nearly applaud McCain enough for how he played the campaign and how kind he is. Esp. for a Republican, if I may say so.

[@Karla_Marie]

Those were the days...

[@junkumbucha8202]

gotta love reddit folk gotta love it bringing us all together as one giant happy family all about that interconnectedness BRAH

[@mandingo9999998]

Never understood the visceral hatred so many had for Obama. It was eye-opening to see. He conducted himself with grace and ethics, made clear many times, on many occasions the basic frameworks of democracy were we'll understood by him. He talked about it eloquently on many, many occasions. Only conclusion, those watching purely right-wing media never even saw many, if any, of his best moments.

[@avinghosh]

Oh if I could hug McCain after this speech!

[@zippyzipster46]

John McCain was an undoubtedly good man. Can you imagine his life? Prisoner of war etc. He lived a great life. And on a side note...hats off to the old man who never quit eating. My goodness.

[@lunargoddess2002]

Amen to that. Socialism exists in America already. The five points of Roosevelt started socialism in America. Social security is a form of socialism. So is Medicare which is what all of us one day will have.

[@paul353]

civility, respect, honor, statesmanship

[@abzeestchase4811]

Macain was hilarious & brilliant

[@exdoode]

The sorely missed senator McCain!! "united to do the best for our country"

[@LordAuthor]

Although I disagreed with his politics, and I thought the biggest tarnish on his legacy was picking Sarah Palin as VP I still have to admit he is worlds classier and more trust worthy than the buffoon currently occupying the WH. RIP Senator McCain.

[@noelopez3]

Awesome

[@br983]

I can't stop looking at Robert Morgenthau scarfing down everything on which he can put his hands

[@jesusislord3321]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@arnoldoguerrero4546]

Both of this men Obama a McCain were real men compared to the orange pennywise we have now in the white house

[@michaelc.6532]

Trump the incoherent tiny handed buffoon has only deteriorated since you commented!

[@Joe-uw5rv]

Is that what you call a real man? Someone who murders babies?