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McCain's poignant appearance on 'Saturday Night Live'

BY VERNE GAY | verne.gay@newsday.com

November 3, 2008

Help or hurt?

At this stage of the 2008 race for the White House, there had better be only one answer for a candidate this far behind in various state polls - battleground state polls included.

John McCain displayed reasonable if not proficient comedic timing on " Saturday Night Live," and a sense of élan, even if "élan" is the absolute last thing he's feeling right now. His final "SNL" outing definitely didn't hurt, but it was also - oddly enough - poignant. Maybe even a little sad.

-See photos from John McCain on SNL, and his last days on the campaign trail

-See 65 photos of the best of Saturday Night Live over the years

At a campaign rally in Columbus, Ohio, Sarah Palin asked, "did anyone catch John McCain last night on 'SNL,' 'Saturday Night Live'? He was such a pro in those skits there with Tina Fey."

Barack Obama, also in Columbus, told a rally, "John McCain was funny yesterday ... but that's part of what our politics should be about, being able to laugh at each other, but also laugh at ourselves." Sure.

Then, this from "Entertainment Weekly": "Who else thought the opening sketch was weak?" (Killjoys.)

In fact, the opening sketch was fine - an amusing riff on a strapped senator from Arizona who proclaims himself a genuine maverick (a Republican without money). Obama gets a seven-network buy? McCain gets a QVC show, to hawk "McCain Fine Gold" while his wife, Cindy, lovingly caresses some tchotchkes as expertly as a real-life QVC host might.

NBC estimated a little fewer than 12 million people saw the show. Palin's appearance three weeks ago drew 15 million.

During "Weekend Update," McCain tells Seth Meyers, "And while I am confident that we will emerge victorious, I'm also considering a few radical last-minute strategies." One of them: The Sad Grandpa. "That's where I get on TV and go, 'C'mon, Obama's gonna have plenty of chances to be president! It's my turn! Vote for me!'"

Funny. But also ... that word again ...

-See photos from John McCain on SNL, and his last days on the campaign trail

-See 65 photos of the best of Saturday Night Live over the years