A birthday present from us to John Sidney McCain

By GottaLaff

Hey J Sid, blow out this:

The McCain campaign is hoping to bury the news in the announcement of his running mate — but the Democrats have a different way of marking the big day, Washington Wire has learned. They plan to celebrate with the septuagenarian all weekend, accusing him of being close with President Bush by throwing “More of the Same” birthday parties on Friday and Saturday in key states like Ohio and Pennsylvania.

A Democratic Party insider said local officials and voters will deliver birthday cakes to the parties, complete with 72 candles, that read “Another Year of More of the Same.”

I could make all the usual jokes about how J Sid would need someone else to blow at all those candles for him, or how if he does blow them out, he'll need oxygen, or about wondering if he'll remember what day it is and having Joe Lieberman whisper it in his ear... but that would be rude and tasteless, so I won't.

They’ll also tie in the festivities to the vice presidential pick, calling the person “a gift to himself,” that person said. At the announcement event in Dayton, Ohio, on Friday, the Democratic National Committee plans to park their mobile billboard that features Bush and McCain hugging.

You mean this picture?

The parties will take place in Dayton and Youngstown, Ohio; Pittsburgh, Erie, Washington and Harrisburg, Pa.; Denver; Phoenix; and Washington, D.C.

McCain campaign spokesman Tucker Bounds declined to comment on the festivities.

Okay, J Sid... blow!