by Mark Silva
"You know, I had an entire speech prepared,'' President Barack Obama said at the opening of his appearance at the White House Correspondents Association dinner last night, "But now that I'm here, I think I'm going to try something different...Tonight, I'm going to speak from the heart, and speak off the cuff...''
And, to the sound of grinding gears, up rose a TelePrompTer - TOTUS, in the parlance of the prompted-president's crtiics.
"Good evening... pause for laughter,'' Obama said. "Wait a minute, this may not be working....''
So he went to notes:
"Good evening, everybody, I would like to welcome you to the 10-day anniversary of my First 100 Days,'' the president told a ballroom full of Washington reporters and editors and dozens of celebrity guests. (See Clarence Page's take on "Hollywood on the Potomac,'' too.) "My name is Barack Obama, most of you cover me,'' the president told his audience. "All of you voted for me.''
Toward the end, he offered a sober talk on the state of journalism in a struggling economy, though he couldn't resist a joke or two: We seek "truth, even if it's only an approximation.'' He spoke of Thomas Jefferson, suggesting that if he had to choose between a government without newspapers or newspapers without government, he'd choose the latter -- because he didn't have "cable news."
"I didn't want to be here tonight, but I knew I had to come - just one more problem that I inherited from George W. Bush,'' Obama said.
He acknowledged his wife: "I think we can all agree that Michelle has the right to bare arms'' - and the first lady flexed them, with a smile.
And his chief of staff, heading into Mother's Day: "this is a tough holiday for Rahm Emanuel.. Because he's not used to saying the word, day, after mother.... That's true...
"Sasha and Malia aren't here tonight, because they're grounded,'' the president said, only a day after the White House military affairs director resigned over the New York flyover of the presidential aircraft for a photo-shoot. "You cant just take Air Force One on a joy ride to Manhattan... I don't care whose kids you are. ..''
"Michael Steele is in the house tonight,'' Obama said of the RNC chairman known for playing with some street creds - "or as he would say -- in the hee-zee....
"Wazzup?'' Obama asked Steele.
"Where is Michael?'' Obama asked, and Steele stood up.
(Pause for a moment to consider the picture: The first African-American president, a Democrat, facing the first African-American RNC chairman.)
"Michael, for the last time, the Republican Party does not qualify for a bailout,'' Obama told him. "Rush Limbaugh does not qualify as a troubled asset...
"Dick Cheney was supposed to be here, but he is very busy working on his memoir.... Tentatively titled, how to shoot friends and interrogate people.''
The president spoke of the importance of speaking with one's enemies - flip to a photograph of the president in the Oval Office with a pirate in full regalia.
He reached across the aisle, acknowledging the perpetually tanned House Minority Leader John Boehner: "We have a lot in common. He is a person of color - although not a color that appears in the natural world.''....
"What's up, John?''
He spoke of his long relationship with adviser David Axelrod, together in politics for so long that, like any good partners, Axelrod finally suggested, "Why don't we go to Iowa and make it official?''
In his next 100 days, Obama said, he will go "off the TelePrompTer," and Vice President Joe Biden will "stay on it."
The president talked about the flurry of the first 100 days - "no president in history has ever named three commerce secretaries... which reminds me, if Judd Gregg is here, your business cards are ready now...
"In the second 100 days,'' he said, "we will design, build and open a library devoted to my first 100 days.... In the next 100 days, I will strongly consider losing my cool...
"My next 100 days will be so successful,'' the president said, "I will be able to complete them in 72 days.
"But on the 73rd day, I will rest.''
Comments
Obama badly needs a new writer with at least a shred of humor...self-deprecating humor that Obama seriously lacks. The veiled references to opponents are not becoming. It is always safe to make fun of one's self, but Obama doesn't understand that. And ditch the TelePrompter or at least get one where he can look at his audience.
Posted by: Danforth | May 10, 2009 7:50 AM
"the president told a ballroom full of Washington reporters and editors .... "My name is Barack Obama, most of you cover me. All of you voted for me.''"
For once, Obama told the truth.
Posted by: Bruce | May 10, 2009 8:07 AM
More WHCD love and laughter from Wanda Sykes, whom the Obama people billed as a "Comedian":
"Rush Limbaugh said this administration fails. ... He just wants the country to fail. To me that's treason. I think Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker ... Rush Limbaugh, ... I hope his kidneys fail, how about that? "
Wishing your opponents die of kidney failure. The New Tone? Hope? Change?
Posted by: Bruce | May 10, 2009 8:47 AM
'How to shoot friends and interrogate people'
lol! Man that is good. Even the Daily Show wasn't as good as that
Posted by: lisa | May 10, 2009 9:01 AM
What a way to start the morning. Now I have to clean up the coffee I spilled from laughing.
Posted by: thingy | May 10, 2009 9:15 AM
Danforth, did you even watch the video? It's hilarious!
President Obama is intelligent, elegant, charming, a good speaker, a great leader, a superb statesman who is transforming our country into a more equitable society...and now, he's funny, too!!
Much of his human was self-depreciating, and none of those joked about seemed to resent it. In fact, there was a wonderful sense of camaraderie, even with Micheal Steele.
Posted by: Susan in Warrenville | May 10, 2009 9:35 AM
Rush's commitment to various Rx drugs for off label purposes is well documented.
His hearing loss no doubt was caused by the ototoxic effects of some of the drug cocktails he favors.
If he has kidney failure, it will probably be drug-related.
Anyway, I'm sure the Fox will continue to provide alternative reality coverage as in the past.
Just don't watch them if you want to know what's really going on.
Posted by: ornery | May 10, 2009 9:44 AM
But seriously, folks........
We don't want Rush's kidneys to fail.
Just, maybe, his pusher to be arrested and held without bond for a good long time.
And maybe for his hearing aid batteries to go on the fritz.
As to the Prez:
Don't kid yourselves.
Press in that room reflects the high marks he is getting from the American people.
Press doesn't make up the statistics, they just reflect them.
Posted by: ornery | May 10, 2009 10:00 AM
Seems the right can't wipe the foam from their mouths for anything. Funny how Danforth finds the teleprompter shtick funny, but how dare he poke fun at Faux, or Rush. Proving the right finds humor less effective than hate.
Posted by: bill r. | May 10, 2009 10:47 AM
Like Limbaugh, I too hope Obama fails at destroying America. What, no jokes about former rehab resident and Obama zealot Demi Moore? Oh, and here's a Brit, who are known for their sense of humor, who found Obama not very funny at the dinner.
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/iain_martin/blog/2009/05/10/barack_obama_standup__hes_not_very_funny
Posted by: MCD | May 10, 2009 11:02 AM
Party Gal Bruce,
....And then he apologized to the Fox News table, which nailed it.
Danforth,
I suspected you don't read. Now I suspect you can't even watch and listen.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | May 10, 2009 11:06 AM
I'm glad he can laugh it up at an ultra-expensive black-tie dinner while the country continues its downward economic spiral....
real funny.
Posted by: Rey | May 10, 2009 11:09 AM
Amazing how Mark Silva somehow "missed" Obama's comedienne wishing Obama's opponents would die...
Amazing how Obamaphiles posting here don't denounce what Sykes said .....
Amazing. And shameful. What is the U.S. becoming?
Posted by: Bruce | May 10, 2009 12:03 PM
MCD....OH...now you care what other countries think......
Posted by: bill r. | May 10, 2009 12:33 PM
I agree with Lisa on the "How to Shoot Friends and Interogate People" as being funny. That was # 2 on my list.
My favorite was "this is a tough holiday for Rahm Emanuel.. Because he's not used to saying the word, day, after mother.... That's true..".
Lighten-up folks, they are jokes.
Posted by: Terry | May 10, 2009 12:38 PM
Rey,
I think it's a safe bet that the demands of his office allow him an occasional Saturday evening. It was a charity event. Charity -- something you might try.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | May 10, 2009 12:38 PM
I'd give the Prez a + after the A fior NOT going black tie.
Most of the rest of the folks in that room think they are really suffering because they don't get dessert with the viands.
Posted by: ornery | May 10, 2009 2:20 PM
Comrade Obama knows he can make a few gentle quips and l
the liberal lapdog media will suck up to him.
I'll give it to him that he totally controls the masses view of him because he's smart like a fox.
Posted by: Tim | May 10, 2009 2:33 PM
KB,
These guys are proving the old adage;
'Fascists know no irony.'
Posted by: C.Morrisā | May 10, 2009 2:38 PM
I'd give the Prez a + after the A fior NOT going black tie.
Most of the rest of the folks in that room think they are really suffering because they don't get dessert with the viands.
Posted by: ornery | May 10, 2009 4:21 PM
Who is Wanda Sykes and were did she come from? I have never heard of her.
Posted by: jack | May 10, 2009 4:51 PM
I didn't get to see the presentation. Can anyone tell me if he breakdanced?
Posted by: Nagin For President | May 10, 2009 6:12 PM
Yo
Posted by: terry dudas | May 10, 2009 6:44 PM
Kenny Bunkport..is that really your name?
Notice how my comment got wiped out by the lib-Trib.
Charity is all we'll have to hope for when Obama is done destroying our once-great nation.
Posted by: Rey | May 10, 2009 7:56 PM
"Amazing how Mark Silva somehow "missed" Obama's comedienne wishing Obama's opponents would die...
Amazing how Obamaphiles posting here don't denounce what Sykes said .....
Amazing. And shameful. What is the U.S. becoming?"
Posted by: Party Gal Bruce | May 10, 2009 12:03 PM
_________________
Obama's comedienne? He didn't organize the evening and he didn't make the arrangements.
I understand Sykes took shots at Rush Limbaugh, who won your further allegiance after expressing his hope that Obama fails.
One's a comedienne, and yet she's the one who's got your knickers in a knot. So yes, what's the deal Party Gal?
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | May 10, 2009 8:10 PM
Who is Wanda Sykes and were did she come from? I have never heard of her.
Posted by: jack
Ever heard of a search engine? Google, idiot?
Posted by: gladys | May 10, 2009 9:12 PM
Obama's main socialist agenda:
1. Legalize Abortion
2. Legalize same-sex marriage
3. Let the able but lazy- street -punks take most of the hard-working people's money and with Obama's blessings, claims it's "their's.. theirs, too."
4. Okay to show less respect for your own country, but you may "bow down" to another country's king.
Posted by: eva | May 11, 2009 1:19 AM
I am already fed up with Obama's attempts at humor. When is he going to get serious about the country's problems? Just handing out money is not the answer.
r m kraus, akron
Posted by: Robert M Kraus Sr | May 11, 2009 2:42 AM
We really don't want Limpbags kidney's to fail.....just the conservative parts.
Posted by: bill r. | May 11, 2009 6:58 AM
Rey...This has gone on every year since 1920. It is not something this administration thought up. Think of how many jobs are related to putting this thing on. If it were cancelled, you'd be complaining about the job loss for those little people at the hotels etc. Face it, some people are not happy unless they can complain. And yes, it is for charity.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | May 11, 2009 7:04 AM
Wanda Sykes. Hate speech. Which Obama laughed at.
Can you imagine the reaction from the Democrat media if someone at a Republican dinner gleefully looked forward to Republican opponents dying?
Posted by: Bruce | May 11, 2009 7:16 AM
Party Gal Bruce,
News flash: Wanda Sykes, a comedienne, was joking and is NOT the voice of the Democratic Party. Rush Limbaugh, who gives hate speeches in earnest, IS the voice of the GOP.
Look in the mirror, fool.
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | May 11, 2009 7:36 AM
Bruce continues to compare the "what if" between the democrats and republicans. Don't set the bar too low there Bruce.
Posted by: bill r. | May 11, 2009 7:46 AM
Very boring for a President Think The Presidential propaganda unit should be boosted up.
Posted by: Inky | May 11, 2009 10:22 AM
to Posted by: eva | May 11, 2009 1:19 AM: Ha ha ha hahaha.
You really are stupid. Let's recap:
1. Abortion was legalized after Roe v Wade in 1973 after the SCOTUS ruled. Not Obama.
2. Same sex marriage is in the jurisdiction of the states, just like the Republicans want. Not Obama
3.Obama did extend the unemployment insurance length of coverage, but let's see you get jobs for the millions of out of work who have recently lost jobs due to no fault of their own.
4. I got nothin'. Go ahead and hammer him for that one.
If you want to argue have some real facts instad of being an empty vessel for someone else's ideas.
Posted by: Todd M | May 11, 2009 12:44 PM
Obama does not have that comidic kick in him. Nope. You know when someone unexpectedly come up with original one-liners and the whole room burst laughing. I remember Reagan got that gift. He said this line one time: "Recession is when your neighbor loses his job. Depression is when you lose your job." And the way it was said...just brilliant. Plus, I remember Reagan left an indelible mark by showing how much he love his country and thereby leaving a great legacy. He guarded his country with a passion, and yet still was respected by other nations. That along with his talent to make people laugh is not easy to replicate. Times surely have changed. We have to deal with a certain kind of comedy today and the loss of respect due to dirty "Chicago-style" political maneuvers. Once again, to quote Obama's spiritual adviser Rev. J. Wright, ''Not God Bless America--- but, #### America." We're doomed folks. Remember that.
Posted by: eva | May 11, 2009 12:47 PM
''Not God Bless America--- but, #### America." We're doomed folks. Remember that.
Posted by: eva | May 11, 2009 12:47 PM
Nice try.....Hey...Remember this...that BS didn't work before the election and it ain't working now.
Posted by: bill r. | May 11, 2009 1:39 PM
Remember a couple years ago at this event when George W joked about not being able to find the WMD's while soldiers were fighting and dying in Iraq for his pointless war. Yeah, that wasn't very funny was it wingnuts.
Posted by: MR FACE | May 11, 2009 3:55 PM
I see who she is now Gladys. I googled her and see that she is a uncouth, vulgar, second-rate, not-funny, low class lesbian feminist. I thought so. Thanks for the google tip girl.
Posted by: jack | May 11, 2009 8:46 PM
I am embarrassed for the new President his lack of class is prominently being displayed.
As President he should set the standard for any group of which he is a member by allowing and laughing uproariously at offensive "jokes" he shows what his background has been.
Has anyone noticed when he gives his toothy smile he looks quite like The Joker. He acts more like someone from ACORN than Harvard.
Posted by: Florida Jim | May 12, 2009 9:07 AM