Here now is the next installment of our regular series — the Joke Reality Check — in which we put jokes told on the campaign trail or in the media or in the general political discussion through a VIP check-up and washing. We check whether jokes are stolen, poorly-premised, or poorly written or delivered. And we offer strategic advice to improve the attempt.  If we’re not too lazy.

On “Good Morning America” this week, Barack Obama was asked if Geraldine Ferraro was right, that he’s where he is in the Democratic presidential race today because of the color of his skin.

Obama had a splendid response:

“I think that if anybody was looking for the quickest path to the presidency, they would not say I want to be an African-American man named Barack Obama. I don’t think that’s in the handbook for running for president.”

Well done.  Hits the right slightly sarcastic, slightly self-deprecating note.

He probably won’t want to embellish it.  But if Obama ever does take that line on the comedy circuit, in the clubs on open mic night, here’s one way to add a bit more zing to it.

“I think that if anybody was looking for the quickest path to the presidency, they would not say I want to be an African-American man named Barack Obama. I don’t think that’s in the handbook for running for president.  I mean, do you really think America is ready for a Muslim terrorist born in Somalia to be its president?  Seriously.  C’mon, people, work with me!”