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***azmouse*** · 03-13-2011, 11:43 AM

Quote:WASHINGTON — Searching for laughs — and finding them — President Barack Obama spared few targets 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.

He jabbed at potential Republican presidential rivals. He saluted Mississippi's portly Gov. 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."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/42054668/ns/...ite_house/

I know Pres Obama doesn't write the material but he has a great delivery. He's probably the funniest President we've ever had.

**Born_A_Truman** · 03-13-2011, 12:41 PM

Wish there was video, but we'll have to settle for print coverage.

Quote:It was the moment everyone had been waiting for. The US president was about to take the stage and the Marine Band, laid on by the White House especially for the occasion, had begun to sound the opening notes of the traditional Hail to the Chief.

Suddenly, there was an unexpected glitch. "Can we go with the song we talked about?" Barack Obama said as he came to the podium. The band switched tack and began belting out the Bruce Springsteen classic, Born in the USA.

It was Obama's best joke of the night, delivered in the classic, self-deprecating style that has been handed down from president to president.

Quote:As he ridiculed little-known Tim Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota who has his eye on running against him for president next year, Obama said: "The American people are going to have some tough questions for Tim.

"Specifically, 'Who are you and where do you come from?'" After a split second pause, he continued: "Which is OK. Two years into my presidency and I'm still getting those questions."

Quote:He had another crack at the joke in reference to the Indiana governor Mitch Daniels, who had delivered the after-dinner speech for the Republicans. He told the potential 2012 candidate: "Your friends at Fox News say you don't look like a president. Well, don't worry about it, they say the same thing about me every day."

**Cha** · (This post was last modified: 03-13-2011 09:23 PM by Cha.)

(03-13-2011 12:41 PM)Born_A_Truman Wrote: Wish there was video, but we'll have to settle for print coverage.

Quote:It was the moment everyone had been waiting for. The US president was about to take the stage and the Marine Band, laid on by the White House especially for the occasion, had begun to sound the opening notes of the traditional Hail to the Chief.

Suddenly, there was an unexpected glitch. "Can we go with the song we talked about?" Barack Obama said as he came to the podium. The band switched tack and began belting out the Bruce Springsteen classic, Born in the USA.

It was Obama's best joke of the night, delivered in the classic, self-deprecating style that has been handed down from president to president.

Perfect! Springsteen was such a good part of the Primaries, too

**sandnsea** · 03-13-2011, 01:27 PM

rotflmao

Normally I think Born In The USA shows a real misunderstanding of the song - but in this case, CLASSIC. I love it. He has a wonderful comedic sense, I think he got it from his grandfather.

**Eponine** · 03-13-2011, 02:13 PM

I love the "Born in the USA" angle.

**jaxx** · 03-13-2011, 05:05 PM

I read the transcript and he had to be laughing as he delivered the goods. It sounded great on paper.