by Mark Silva
Yes, he told the one about Rahm and the camel.
And the one about the industry in the tank.
But President Barack Obama also said he was telling some jokes "that weren't funny enough for me to use when we did this five weeks ago,'' last night at the TV and Radio Correspondents Dinner, with an allusion to the last presidential joke-fest at the recent White House Correspondents' Association.
"The jokes may not be as good,'' the president told the TV crowd, "but neither is the guest list...(a joke.). Why bother hanging out with celebrities when I can spend time with the people who made me one... I know where my bread is buttered.''
Obama named some of the media celebrities, such as Mika Brezinski of MSNBC's Morning Joe - they have a lot in common, he said. They both have partners named Joe "who don't know when to stop talking.''
He mentioned Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's broken elbow suffered in a fall at State - "Just before the accident, Secret Service spotted Richard Holbrooke spraying WD-40 all over the driveway.''
It was tough coming up with fresh jokes, the president insisted. "A few nights ago I was up tossing and turning trying to figure out what to say. Finally, when I couldn't get back to sleep, I rolled over and asked Brian Williams what he thought.''
"I must say it was all worth it,'' he said of Williams' special on the administration for NBC News. "Inside the Obama White House is now my favorite new show... There's something compelling about the main character.''
Now all the networks are trying to get in the game, Obama suggested. ABC News, he said, is planning one called "Dancing with the Czars.''
Comments
I heard the jokes he was making on the news all show that he DOES know what we are saying,writing about and thinking.. He also has proven by his actions HE DOESN'T CARE. He has to pay back his money guy's regardless of what he does to the average person.. I have NEVER seen one President take such power nor throw the CITIZENS under the bus as this man.. Not even BUSH and he was bad
As a stand up comedian he may be good as a President he' stinks..
Posted by: Independent Voter Joliet | June 20, 2009 11:36 AM
I've often ;thought the President sees these little dinners as opportunities to seize a license to say what he really thinks of people under the guise of humor.
I know I would.
He never makes personal attacks in real life.
So I'll have to review this tape with that in mind.
Posted by: ornery | June 20, 2009 12:41 PM
The definition of czar or tzar is emperor or ruler, emperor of Russia until 1917. That would imply no outside input or thinking required. Anyone who directs such large agencies should want and need all help offered. Bush existed in a bubble, too--and look where that got us. It was a very poor choice of words used by BushCo, and now used by Obama. The word is so fascist--understandable why BushCo started to use it. The word is lordly, comical and supercilious. Who does Obama think he is? WHERE does he think he is? Someone please give Obama the coordinates of Washington DC. We know that Obama is having problems filling posts in his administration--but does he have to bribe some with such a bogus title? Yes?
Posted by: Vivian | June 20, 2009 3:47 PM
Mark,
For a joke to funny, there has to be a semblance of truth to the story. The fact that Brian Williams would be sleeping over at the White House is not a stretch to anyone's imagination.
Posted by: Terry | June 20, 2009 8:06 PM
Obama is president now. The Dems have the majority. So why does Obama continue in the same pathetic vein as Bush and the Pugs? Now is the time to make changes for democracy and Americans. Obama is a fool to squander this chance.
Posted by: Vivian | June 21, 2009 1:55 PM
Terry, the joke is that the President is IN BED with Brian Williams. That is to say that the reporter is too close to be unbiased.
The joke isn't funny when it has to be explained.
Posted by: Maureen | June 22, 2009 10:20 AM
Maureen,
If you didn't get the joke when it was told, then you are out of the loop. Anyone following politics knows the coziness between NBC and BO
Posted by: Terry | June 25, 2009 9:55 PM