In fact, the most unorthodox presidential race in modern history points to a comedy conundrum faced by Obama in his farewell address to the Washington insider love fest that the annual dinner has become. “Earn me some serious Tubman’s”.
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The president complimented Bernie Sanders’ “Feel the Bern” movement, and teased Hillary Clinton’s struggle to attract young voters. “It’s a very complicated thing”, she said. You spread that disrespect all around the room and just have fun.
“Why don’t YOU get a drink with Mitch McConnell?” I’m not sure I’m using this right. “I know that the president will certainly poke a little fun at himself”, Earnest said, adding that he thought some “good-natured ribbing of his friends will occur as well”. “I have to say that, normally, I coordinate carefully with my press team before we grant interviews, but I am favorably disposed towards giving a little bit of time”, Obama said.Obama said it may not be a lengthy interview, but figured he’d give the college newspaper “a little bit of play”.
“I just want to thank him for being a great friend”, Obama said, referencing when former Vice President Dick Cheney shot his friend in the face while quail hunting in Texas.
One potential target who will not be attending this year’s event is Republican presidential front-runner Donald Trump, who has attended before and been the butt of jokes in the past. “And it’s anyone’s guess who she will be”.
“The president told joke after joke and it was good”.
“Even my aides can’t explain my rising poll numbers”. What could he be possibly doing instead? Is he at home, eating a Trump steak? Tweeting out insults to Angela Merkel?
“The number one, two and three goals of the speech are to be amusing”, said David Litt, a former Obama speechwriter who anchored his White House Correspondents’ Dinner speeches from 2012 to 2015.
The first dinner was held in 1921 at the Arlington Hotel in Washington with 50 men in attendance. Baseball sticks? Football hats? “In hindsight, I clearly should have been more specific”.
“Fuck you Chuck Todd”, Obama said.
The made-up controversies over his birthplace and religion have been the unstated premise of many of Obama’s jokes.
Obama took a few hits, too.
“Uncovering truths is more important than ever”.
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President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are celebrating International Jazz Day a day early with a concert at the White House.
