Obama reveals gift for comedy at event
Source: Agencies |
March 14, 2011, Monday
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Searching for laughs - and finding them - US President Barack Obama spared few targets on Saturday night, from Democratic allies to -Republican antagonists to the journalists who cover him.
At his first presidential appearance before the Gridiron Club, Obama picked up on the spirit of the evening, leveling jokes in every direction including his own. The event brought journalists and public figures together for a night of skits that -lampoon the capital's personalities and issues of the day.
He jabbed at potential Republican presidential rivals. He saluted Mississippi's portly Governor Haley Barbour, saying he appreciated his support of First Lady Michelle Obama's anti-obesity campaign.
"Haley, when Michelle said you should run, she didn't mean for president."
He didn't spare himself, either. He noted that last time he was at the Gridiron, in 2006, he was a first-term senator from Illinois.
"Back then I was a newcomer who couldn't get anything done in the Senate. Now I'm a president who can't get anything done in the Senate."
Obama also poked fun at another potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate, former Minnesota -Governor Tim Pawlenty.
"Tim Pawlenty's not here, but he's hit the campaign trail hard," Obama said. "And to be honest, I think the American people are going to have some tough questions for Tim. Specifically, 'Who are you and where do you come from?' Which is OK. Two years into my presidency and I'm still getting those questions."
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, the main Republican speaker, recalled one of Obama's musings during the 2008 campaign that conservatives found refuge in religion and guns. Daniels, his right arm in a sling due to surgery, quipped: "Mr President, until I get this thing off, I can cling to my gun or my Bible, but not both." Later he turned to Obama and mockingly took a shot at the president's penchant for assistance during his speeches. "Mr President you're not laughing, who forgot to put ha-ha-ha on the teleprompter?"
At his first presidential appearance before the Gridiron Club, Obama picked up on the spirit of the evening, leveling jokes in every direction including his own. The event brought journalists and public figures together for a night of skits that -lampoon the capital's personalities and issues of the day.
He jabbed at potential Republican presidential rivals. He saluted Mississippi's portly Governor Haley Barbour, saying he appreciated his support of First Lady Michelle Obama's anti-obesity campaign.
"Haley, when Michelle said you should run, she didn't mean for president."
He didn't spare himself, either. He noted that last time he was at the Gridiron, in 2006, he was a first-term senator from Illinois.
"Back then I was a newcomer who couldn't get anything done in the Senate. Now I'm a president who can't get anything done in the Senate."
Obama also poked fun at another potential 2012 Republican presidential candidate, former Minnesota -Governor Tim Pawlenty.
"Tim Pawlenty's not here, but he's hit the campaign trail hard," Obama said. "And to be honest, I think the American people are going to have some tough questions for Tim. Specifically, 'Who are you and where do you come from?' Which is OK. Two years into my presidency and I'm still getting those questions."
Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, the main Republican speaker, recalled one of Obama's musings during the 2008 campaign that conservatives found refuge in religion and guns. Daniels, his right arm in a sling due to surgery, quipped: "Mr President, until I get this thing off, I can cling to my gun or my Bible, but not both." Later he turned to Obama and mockingly took a shot at the president's penchant for assistance during his speeches. "Mr President you're not laughing, who forgot to put ha-ha-ha on the teleprompter?"
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