[img_assist|nid=1289|title=GOP candidate for state Treasurer Tom Ellis went colonial for his turn at Daily News columnist Stu Bykofsky's Comedy Night|desc=|link=none|align=middle|width=400|height=275]PHILADELPHIA-There were jokes about John McCain's age. Jokes about Gov. Ed Rendell's robust figure. Jokes about Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter's nerdy voice. And, oh, were there ever jokes about Vince Fumo's witness list.

And that was all before Libertarian presidential candidate Bob Barr made a surprise appearance.

It was one of the local political establishment's favorite nights here Tuesday night, as candidates for statewide races, Congressional races and down-ballot race joined a bevy of political insiders for Daily News columnist Stu Bykofsky's annual Candidates Comedy Night. In its 18th year, the fundraiser for a children's charity put more than a dozen political candidates on stage, not to campaign, but to make people laugh.

"The candidates before me tonight are not professional comics," Bykofsky warned his audience before U.S. Rep. Bob Brady opened the show. "They will prove that in a moment."

There were plenty of boos-no more so than when 1st Senatorial District Republican candidate Jack Morley took the Fumo jokes to another level. But there were just as many hearty laughs from the crowd of politicians, political staffers, consultants, journalists and other insiders.

"It's an exciting night for me," freshman U.S. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-Bristol) said on stage at the bar Finnigan's Wake near the Delaware River waterfront here. "I walked in this place, the first time I haven't been carded."

Poking fun at his heavily-favored opponent, 2nd Congressional District Republican candidate Adam Lang said he was looking forward to meeting longtime U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah (D-Philadelphia).

"I understand my neighbors are looking forward to meeting him too," Lang said.

And making light of his bitter primary battle with electrical union chief John Dougherty, 1st Senatorial District Democratic candidate Larry Farnese lamented the faulty wiring at his campaign office.

[img_assist|nid=1288|title=U.S. Rep. Bob Brady (D-Philadelphia) at Daily News columnist Stu Bykofsky's Comedy Night|desc=|link=none|align=left|width=275|height=275]"I kept calling electricians to fix it, but for some reason, they never called me back," he joked.

But the highlight of the night was probably from Barr's surprise appearance, which he later told PolitickerPa.com had been planned for a few weeks.

"I get no respect," Barr joked. "So I call up Ed Rendell and ask for his endorsement, and he said 'why not? I endorse everyone else.'"