Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hiromichi]

I do not understand why a joke below is funny.


"What is it with Republicans and Viagra? First Bob Dole, he was doing the ads for Viagra. Now you got Rush Limbaugh. Say what you want about Bill Clinton, but the man was always there to answer the call, ladies and gentlemen" --Jay Leno
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Hiromichi

[CP]

To understand the joke, you have to know what Viagra does and why people use Viagra.

You also have to know that Bob Dole is a Republican senator and Rush Limbaugh is a big mouth on the radio whose views are all extremely right wing and pro-Republican as well as anti-Democrat.

Bob Dole surprised a lot of people by appearing in commercials for Viagra when it first came out. Rush Limbaugh, who has often called for imprisonment for drug users, became addicted to prescription drugs, which he got from several doctors by lying about his symptoms, but of course did not think he deserved any punishment at all. Limbaugh recently was caught coming back from the Dominican Republic with some Viagra for which he had no prescription. He has no wife or girlfriend at this time, and the Dominican Republic has a reputation as a place with a lot of prostitution.

Now, you also have to know that Bill Clinton was thought to have had some inappropriate relations with women other than his wife, Hillary, while president of the U.S. The women love Clinton, and vice versa. The Republicans, including Limbaugh, loudly called for him to be removed from office when it was discovered that he had been with Monica Lewinsky in the Oval Office of the White House.

So, the joke is that Clinton, a Democrat, has never been associated with needing Viagra. He is always ready for an affectionate time with the ladies.

(Even if you understand the joke, you may not find it funny. It is Jay Leno, after all.)
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You live a new life for every new language you speak. -Czech proverb

[hiromichi]

CP, I have very much appreciated your devoting a lot of time to answering my question.
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Hiromichi

[LucentShade]

A bit of understanding of American politics might help as well. The Republicans have conservative views on things like sex. The Democrats are considered the liberal party. So, part of the joke is that Republicans have sexual "problems" that make Viagra necessary, but Democrats do not have those kinds of problems.

[hiromichi]

LucentShade, Thank you for your additional comment.
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Hiromichi