Witty Obama pokes fun at critics, himself
Washington, April 28: US President Barack Obama poked fun at the media, his critics and himself on Saturday at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, a star-filled event where journalists and celebs mixed with the Washington elite — a “nerd prom” as some call it.
Joined by his wife Michelle, the President gently knocked Republicans for not working with him on policy priorities and made a rare reference to his race.
“I know Republicans are still sorting out what happened in 2012, but one thing they all agree on is they need to do a better job reaching out to minorities,” he said. Obama, the first black US President, also took a swipe at those who have doubted his religion and accused him of being a radical leftist.
“I look in the mirror and I have to admit, I’m not the strapping young Muslim socialist that I used to be,” Obama joked. “Time passes. You get a little grey.”
He then showed a montage of pictures showing him in a haircut with bangs like his wife Michelle wore on inauguration day.
Targets of Obama’s humour included billionaire Sheldon Adelson, who spent $100 million backing Mitt Romney and other Republicans in the 2012 race; conservative radio provocateur Rush Limbaugh; the three major cable news net-
Everybody loves Michelle. She’s on the cover of Vogue... But don’t worry, I recently got my own magazine cover –– Barack Obama US President
works; and many conservative Republican politicos.
The humour was mostly made up of inside jokes for news junkies, though the President ended with a clip in which director Steven Spielberg announced a new movie — Obama, starring Daniel Day-Lewis. The President then appeared acting as if he were Day-Lewis preparing for the role.
Obama ended on a serious note, making reference to the victims of the Boston bombings and the Texas fertiliser plant explosion.
The night’s featured comedian was Conan O’Brien, who mocked US politicians and the media but also had choice words for North Korean leader Kim JongUn, calling him a “pouty teenage boy who dresses like Rosie O’Donnell at the Emmys”.