President Barack Obama had a lot to poke fun at in his last presidential appearance at the White House Correspondents’ Association annual dinner.
So he unleashed a string of jokes and jabs at presidential candidates including Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and the media, mixing fun with some incisive observations about the unusually divisive political season.
Although Obama also made fun of himself with regard to impending transition from being at the helm of White House power to what life would be after eight years of his presidency, his best swings were reserved for Republican frontrunner Trump.
“Although I am a little hurt that he’s not here tonight. We had so much fun that last time, And it is surprising. You’ve got a room full of reporters, celebrities, cameras. And he says no. Is this dinner too tacky for the Donald? What could he possibly be doing instead? Is he at home eating a Trump steak, tweeting out insults to Angela Merkel? What’s he doin’?”
Then came the remark that probably provoked the longest round of laughter at the glittering gala-like dinner.
“The republican establishment is incredulous that he is their most likely nominee. Incredulous. Shocking. They say Donald lacks the foreign policy experience to be president. But in fairness, he has spent years meeting with leaders from around the world: Miss Sweden, Miss Argentina, Miss Azerbaijan.”
Continuing, Obama said of Trump: “And there is one area where Donald’s experience could be invaluable and that’s closing Guantanamo because Trump knows a thing or two about running waterfront properties into the ground.
“I don’t want to spend too much time on The Donald. Following your lead, I want to show some restraint. Because I think we can all agree that from the start he’s gotten the appropriate amount of coverage befitting the seriousness of his candidacy. Ha. I hope you all are proud of yourselves. The guy wanted to give his hotel business a boost and now we are praying that Cleveland makes it through July. Mmm mmm mmn. Hmmm.” What an election season. For example, we’ve got the bright new face of the Democratic party here tonight, Mr. Bernie Sanders.
About Senator Ted Cruz, who lost all five northeast states to Trump last Tuesday – and with it perhaps the momentum to challenge the billionaire businessman at the July GOP convention – Obama said:
“Ted had a tough week. He went to Indiana. Hoosier country. Stood on a basketball court and called the hoop a basketball ring. What else is in his lexicon. Baseball sticks. Football hats. But sure, I’m the foreign one.”
Obama also poked fun at fellow Democrats Hillary Clinton, the frontrunner and Bernie Sanders, the challenger in the nomination race.
Here are the president’s remarks on the two Democratic contenders:
“Bernie, you look like a million bucks. Or, to put in terms you’ll understand, you look like 37,000 donations of $27 each.
“A lot of folks have been surprised by the Bernie phenomenon, especially his appeal to young people. But not me. I get it. Just recently a young person came up to me and said she was sick of politicians standing in the way of her dreams. As if we were actually going to let Malia go to Burning Man this year. Was not going to happen. Bernie might have let her go. Not us.
“I am hurt though, Bernie, that you have been distancing yourself little from me. I mean that’s just not something that you do to your comrade.
“Bernie’s slogan has helped his campaign catch fire among young people. ‘Feel the Bern.’ ‘Feel the Bern.’ That’s a good slogan. Hillary’s slogan has not had the same effect. Let’s see this. [image of a boulder on a hill with the slogan “Trudge up the Hill”]
“Look, I’ve said how much I admire Hillary’s toughness, her smarts, her policy chops, her experience. You’ve got admit it though, Hillary trying appeal to young voters is a little bit like your relative who just signed up for Facebook. ‘Dear America, did you get my poke? Is it appearing on your wall? I’m not sure I’m using this right. Love, Aunt Hillary.’ It’s not entirely persuasive.”
Despite the polarizing political season, President Obama’s flurry of jokes about all the leading candidates in the 2016 presidential election generally received appreciation from the attendees.
However, not all of Obama’s jabs went without critical reactions. For example, while Obama’s reiteration of US commitment to uphold a free Press was met with criticism of some White House limitations on media coverage in discussions both at the dinner and afterwards.
Obama also did not miss out on comedy while reflecting on his own performance.
“Next year at this time, someone else will be standing here in this very spot and it’s anyone guess who she will be. But standing here I can’t help but be reflective and a little sentimental.
“Eight years ago I said it was time to change the tone of our politics. In hindsight, I clearly should have been more specific. Eight years ago, I was a young man full of idealism and vigor. And look at me now, I am gray, grizzled and just counting down the days to my death panel.
“Hillary once questioned whether I would be up ready for a 3 a.m .phone call. Now, I’m awake anyway because I have to go to the bathroom. I’m up.
“In fact somebody recently said to me, ‘Mr. President, you are so yesterday. Justin Trudeau has completely replaced you. He is so handsome and he’s so charming. He’s the future.’ And I said ‘Justin, just give it a rest.’ I resented that.
“Meanwhile, Michelle has not aged a day. The only way you can date her in photos is by looking at me. Take a look. [Show photos over the years] Here we are in 2008. Here we are a few years later. And this one is from two weeks ago. [skelton photo from Canada dinner] So time passes.”
Obama’s comments about his own performancealso prompted discussion as to who among presidential hopefuls will have the last laugh. Will it be Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump, who both appear to be steering ahead in the nomination race toward the November 8 presidential momentum.
