Obama Pokes Fun at Journalists, Politicians

Obama Pokes Fun at Journalists, Politicians

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Voice of America

March 15, 2015

Obama Pokes Fun at Journalists, Politicians

VOA News

March 15, 2015 8:07 AM

U.S. President Barack Obama poked fun at himself and the political and media landscape Saturday night at the annual dinner of the Gridiron Club, a Washington group that brings together the country's journalists and political elite for a night of laughs.

"If you think about how things have changed since 2008, back then I was the young, tech-savvy candidate of the future. Now I'm yesterday's news and Hillary's got a server in her house," the president joked in a reference to Hillary Clinton who has come under fire for using a private email address while serving as the U.S. secretary of state.

Obama also admitted he's getting crankier as he gets older: "Next week I'm signing an executive order to get off my lawn," he joked Saturday night

Obama's standup routine drew laughs from the audience of more than 650 journalists, lawmakers, administration officials, military officials and others at the Gridiron's 130th gathering.

Another speaker was Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker who said, "I believe that the president of the United States loves America and every American except Rudy Giuliani."

Giuliani, a former mayor of New York City and a one-time presidential candidate said recently he doesn't believe the president "loves America."

Walker also joked about his failure to finish his college degree as he envisioned himself in the White House: "If my first term is anything like college, I won't make it through four years."

The dinner, which features comic skits and songs, provides an opportunity for politicians and journalists to poke fun at one another.

The Gridiron Club, founded in 1885, is the oldest and one of the most exclusive organizations for Washington journalists. Membership is by invitation only. By tradition, Washington insiders put aside their differences for an evening of laughter, schmoozing and charity fundraising.