Politics

Virginia quake: Top five political jokes on Twitter

The Virginia earthquake prompted evacuations of the Pentagon, White House, and Congress. And the quake triggered an outpouring of political jokes on Twitter.

Richmond Times-Dispatch/Bob Brown/AP

Nothing to do but wait and Tweet: Members of the public and staff stand outside the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, Va., after an earthquake caused evacuation of many structures in the city.

By David Clark Scott Staff

Aug. 23, 2011, 7:45 p.m. ET

In the aftermath (meaning within the first minutes) after the magnitude 5.9 Virginia earthquake Tuesday, the twittersphere responded with compassion, concern – and political humor.

No one has been reported killed in the quake, but some of the attempts at comedy may have caused serious injuries. While some Twitter contributors criticized the ribald responsse, others simply noted the social media phenomenon.

"WHEN A QUAKE STRIKES: Step 1, tweet that you felt it. Step 2, RT where else it happened. Step 3, crack current-affairs-related cause jokes," tweeted Emma Godmere.

Here' a quick scan of the best five Virginia Earthquake Political Jokes, so far.

@tpcarney The Washington Examiner's Timothy P. Carney wrote:

"Krugman says it wasn't big enough."

@TheTweetOfGod wrote:

"There was just a 6.0 earthquake in DC. Obama wanted it to be 3.4, but the Republicans wanted 6.0, so he compromised."

@murphymike, GOP political consultant:

“Bachmann out first with statement: as President she’ll lower quakes to 2.9...”

@steveweinstein Steve Weinstein:

Shorter Romney: earthquakes are people, my friends."

We said five, but as a bonus, here's our favorite non-political quake joke:

@riptor riptor

"my etch-a-sketch gallery! It's RUINED!"