Political observer Norman Ornstein is a keen observer of Washington, D.C., politics, but he could have a second career as a standup comic.

Norman Ornstein/Jack Hanrahan, ETN

Ornstein, who spoke Thursday at the Jefferson Educational Society’s Global Summit in Erie, rattled off several funny lines before his lecture turned serious.

Ornstein said he called GOP strategist Karl Rove the day after the election to tell him that “depression is fully covered under Obamacare.”

But he was just getting warmed up.

He said he had left northern California, where it “82 and foggy,  just like Clint Eastwood.”

When the Republican National Convention was interrupted by Hurricane Isaac, Ornstein said he saw Rick Santorum at the Tampa Zoo, “gathering up two of every creature.”

Referring to Mitt Romney’s “binders full of women” presidential debate comment, Ornstein said “we referred to him afterward as ‘Lord of the Three Rings.’ ”

Noting that Sarah Palin’s popular autobiography was called “Going Rogue,” the balding Ornstein suggested possible titles for a future memoir: “Going Rogaine” or “Going Several Times a Night.”

He said he would understand if any members of the audience had to leave to visit the restroom.

– John Guerriero

This blogger is back from vacation. While I was away, I got a chance to read Arlen Specter’s memoir, “Life Among the Cannibals.” 

If you follow politics, you might like it. Much of the book focuses on recent events in D.C., including the stimulus bill, Specter’s party change, and the rise of the tea party.

Specter even gets a little risque, though it’s not exactly “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

On the tour bus during the 2008 campaign, Specter wrote that former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, John McCain’s running mate, was “a total charmer, very friendly.” He said they sat virtually “knee to knee in the cramped bus, and she radiated sensuality.”

“Her skirt rode above her knees — not exactly short, but close,” he wrote.

Specter also referred to Palin’s husband, Todd, as the “First Dude.”

There’s not much mention of Erie in the book, but there is a reference to one politician’s being thankful he wouldn’t have to campaign anymore for Specter in Erie due to our typically harsh winters.

– John Guerriero