Humor Key to Success in Politics

Mary Katharine Ham, managing editor of Townhall.com, spoke about humor at the May Conservative Women’s Network meeting. The conferences sponsored by the network, which consists of more than 1,000 women in the Washington, D.C. area, was broadcast on CSPAN to more than 90 million viewers.

Ham, a 2002 University of Georgia alumna, spoke about the value of humor in everyday life, especially politics. “Humor is integral to the fights we face everyday as conservatives,” said Ham. “Defeating our mortal enemies requires [laughter].”

Besides conquering adversaries, Ham gave several reasons why humor is important to conservative politics. Growing up in liberal Durham, North Carolina, Hamm said she observed humorless, angry politicians; she met similar humorless politicians in D.C, and realized that humor is a “better sell.”

“We should smile….[and] know in our hearts that conservative politics make this country great,” said Ham. “If you’re that person with the smile on your face…there’s much to be gained.”

Ham said gaining much means finding humor in the most serious issues, including terrorism.“To tell jokes about terrorists….gives voice to those they oppress,” said Ham. “If we decide to lay off because [terrorists] might act up, then what happened to freedom of speech?”

Ham said that freedom, including the right to find humor in the most serious situations, can often help in the most difficult situations. “We need to keep laughing, because it helps us keep our perspective,” said Ham. “We can be happy, because we’re right. Ours are the policies…that create success…[and] all the things worth living for.”

After Ham finished speaking, one audience member mentioned a study about which political group, conservatives or liberals, are happier. The results of the study, according to the woman, revealed that conservatives are much happier people.

“Liberalism attracts a certain personality type. Conservatives are of a different type,” said Ham. “Conservatives understand that we are fallible….we can’t fix every little thing with a government program.”

Instead of trying to fix and appease the world, Ham gave more practical advice.
“Keep laughing, and let’s go out and do the right things.”

Melinda Zosh is an intern at the American Journalism Center, a training program run by Accuracy in Media and Accuracy in Academia.