Politics is no laughing matter, right? Maybe, but a few well-placed jokes can bring attention to larger issues, and Internet denizens are taking advantage of the opportunity. So as the primaries near, the net has become home to a number of sites that look at the lighter side of the election season. Whether it's embarrassing a front-runner or promoting a candidate with lots of panache but little chance of winning, these sites show that you can be pointed and have a sense of humor at the same time. And we guarantee that each one is funnier than the latest infernal Mark Russell program.

Scorched Earth Party

If there's a political issue that can be solved without a lead pipe, the Scorched Earth Party doesn't want to hear about it. Presidential candidate Jeff Vogel claims his party "will catapult a seared, razor-slashed America into the giant ocean of hydrogen peroxide that will be the third millenium." Both hilarious and irreverent, this site is bent on destroying every sacred cow in existence -- preferably with a lead pipe. So while their position paper on abortion is a bit much, you'll probably end up laughing even when you know you shouldn't. Their newsgroup alt.politics.scorched-earth is up and running as well.

Clinton for President

This page is wrought less out of anger towards the President and more out of disappointment. "Great Accomplishments of the Clinton Administration," for example, features only a photo spread of the inaugural.

Buchanan for President

The swastikas on the background of this page ought to tell you what its maker thinks of America's self-proclaimed spokesman on all things Christian right. The strength of this site is that it exaggerates very little; by plainly stating Pat's platform, it crushes it with the force of a steamroller. One of the best sources for deadpan humor on the Internet.

Powell for President

Ostensibly headed by the "59th Armored Spin Doctor Division," this site includes a "war map" of the U.S. (claiming New Hampshire as a "captured state") but not much else. Worth a peek, though. Now that's Powell's out of the race, it's still funny, just in a more ironic way.

Dole for President

This page puts on a great poker face until you discover that the Dole logo is borrowed from the pineapple company. The links for "crime" and "terrorism" are ingenious, to say the least.

Wilson for President

Smart, scathing, funny attacks on The Man Who Would Be King But Ran Out Of Money. You can also get here by clicking on the word "weenie" on the Dole site. Enough said.

Russell Hirshon for President

Washington D.C. bartender Russell Hirshon is what every crackpot presidential candidate should be: sharp-witted, over-the-top, and very vocal. Plus he's the only candidate who isn't afraid to put his platform up front; if elected, his first priority is to "take a month off from my bartending job." He's run previously for D.C. mayor and president in '92, and he has a great gimmick for '96: he's accepting applications for vice president.

Fidel for President

Fidel Castro for president? Why not? This page describes him as the "Ultimate Washington Outsider," and is full of tongue-in-cheek info on how to bring radical restructuring to the States. Fire up the cigars and bring on the revolution.

The Capitol Steps

This bipartisan singing and comedy troupe loves sitting ducks: Bob Packwood and O.J Simpson are just two of its targets. As their namesake implies, the focus is on politics, rewriting pop tunes to embed their attacks in ("Return to Sender" becomes a dig on Clinton's moderate leanings called "Return to Center.") They have a number of CDs released, and you can listen in to parts of them on this page.

Brian Bilbray Surfing Page

Brian Bilbray is a California House member whose policies on the environment leave a little to be desired, to say the least, and this page is one woman's smart and sarcastic exposure of his failings. Bilbray is drafting new Clean Air Act legislation thanks to Newt Gingrich, a fact which is making a few Californians shudder. Oh, and the surfing photos are nifty.

Kitty's Politics Page

This page focuses mainly on gay rights issues, so it's no surprise that Newt Gingrich and Bob Dole are the main targets of its wrath. A good combination of news info and humor, with some amusing images and wordplay.

Pat Paulsen for President

Like it or not, Pat Paulsen is a political mainstay. Ever since making his case known to the public in the late 1960s during "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour," Paulsen's created a small cult out of his presidential runs. The jokes are a bit dated ("To take care of the problem of litter, I suggest legislation to provide a woman to come in three days a week to clean your city"), but a welcome piece of comic relief regardless. He has a Florida site as well.