Althouse: "Being president is never easy. I still have to fix the broken immigration system. Issue veto threats. Negotiate with Iran. All while finding time to pray five times a day."

April 26, 2015

"Being president is never easy. I still have to fix the broken immigration system. Issue veto threats. Negotiate with Iran. All while finding time to pray five times a day."

President Obama at the White House correspondents' dinner.

65 comments:

Gahrie said...: Not funny.; 4/26/15, 8:19 AM
Fen said...: It was funnier with the sidebar of Baltimore burning while he joked around.

All he needed was a fiddle.; 4/26/15, 8:21 AM
MathMom said...: He is an asshole.; 4/26/15, 8:24 AM
SJ said...: I think the funniest line is "issue veto threats".

Has Obama issues his veto for anything? Or even threatened to?; 4/26/15, 8:25 AM
Hagar said...: He does now that Harry Reid no longer rules the Senate.; 4/26/15, 8:30 AM
Tank said...: Which part is the con?

Which isn't!.; 4/26/15, 8:30 AM
traditionalguy said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4/26/15, 8:32 AM
Hagar said...: He is a bit of a cold fish and a general jerk.; 4/26/15, 8:34 AM
chickelit said...: Are or will there be any positive aspects of his legacy? Does he care? At this point, it seems he really was just bent on destruction--just like his worst critics said all along.; 4/26/15, 8:34 AM
clint said...: The issue I always have with President Obama at the White House Correspondents' Dinner is that President Obama has never learned that it's not funny to punch down.

Past Presidents spent the bulk of their time being a good sport and making fun of themselves.

President Obama took the time to joke that Dick Cheney was the worst President in his lifetime. And even the jokes that are nominally self-deprecating, like the one in the OP, are really aimed at the people critical of him.

But, yeah. The best part:
http://cdn.pjmedia.com/instapundit/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Screen-Shot-2015-04-25-at-9.59.38-PM.png
http://cdn.pjmedia.com/instapundit/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Screen-Shot-2015-04-25-at-9.59.38-PM.png
("My favorite part about the Obama era is all the racial healing."); 4/26/15, 8:36 AM
Anonymous said...: President Obama poked fun at GOP presidential candidates, Koch brothers and others at the 2015 White House correspondents’ dinner on Saturday

Punching down is not funny.

The only time a President can be funny is when he makes fun of himself. Bush was funny at previous years events.

Laura on the other hand could make fun of George:

George always says he's delighted to come to these press dinners. Baloney. He's usually in bed by now.

I'm not kidding.

I said to him the other day, "George, if you really want to end tyranny in the world, you're going to have to stay up later."

I am married to the president of the United States, and here's our typical evening: Nine o'clock, Mr. Excitement here is sound asleep, and I'm watching Desperate Housewives— with Lynne Cheney. Ladies and gentlemen, I am a desperate housewife. I mean, if those women on that show think they're desperate, they oughta be with George.

One night, after George went to bed, Lynne Cheney, Condi Rice, Karen Hughes and I went to Chippendale's. I wouldn't even mention it except Ruth Ginsberg and Sandra Day O'Connor saw us there. I won't tell you what happened, but Lynne's Secret Service codename is now "Dollar Bill."

But George and I are complete opposites — I'm quiet, he's talkative, I'm introverted, he's extroverted, I can pronounce nuclear —

The amazing thing, however, is that George and I were just meant to be. I was the librarian who spent 12 hours a day in the library, yet somehow I met George.

We met, and married, and I became one of the regulars up at Kennebunkport. All the Bushes love Kennebunkport, which is like Crawford, but without the nightlife. People ask me what it's like to be up there with the whole Bush clan. Lemme put it this way: First prize — three-day vacation with the Bush family. Second prize — 10 days.

Speaking of prizes brings me to my mother-in-law. So many mothers today are just not involved in their children's lives — Not a problem with Barbara Bush. People often wonder what my mother-in-law's really like. People think she's a sweet, grandmotherly, Aunt Bea type. She's actually more like, mmm, Don Corleone.

Cedric, am I doing all right?

I saw my in-laws down at the ranch over Easter. We like it down there. George didn't know much about ranches when we bought the place. Andover and Yale don't have a real strong ranching program. But I'm proud of George. He's learned a lot about ranching since that first year when he tried to milk the horse. What's worse, it was a male horse.

Now, of course, he spends his days clearing brush, cutting trails, taking down trees, or, as the girls call it, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. George's answer to any problem at the ranch is to cut it down with a chainsaw — which I think is why he and Cheney and Rumsfeld get along so well.; 4/26/15, 8:41 AM
Jimmy said...: I'm sure the Party Apparatchiks just laughed and laughed....hoping someone from the politburo would notice.; 4/26/15, 8:41 AM
Fen said...: "Past Presidents spent the bulk of their time being a good sport and making fun of themselves."

I thought that was the whole point of the correspondent's dinner? Kind of a roast, all in good fun.

I didn't realize that The Narcissist changed the format, likely because he's an insecure and thin-skinned punk.

I wonder if any of our "Democrats with bylines" will write about that.

Nah, just kidding.; 4/26/15, 8:50 AM
campy said...: Obama is Awesome!; 4/26/15, 8:51 AM
MayBee said...: Or even threatened to?

Yes.
His SOTU had several veto threats.
Iran sanctions, Keystone Pipeline, Changes to Obamacare, changes to his Immigration Executive action.; 4/26/15, 8:52 AM
Browndog said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4/26/15, 8:58 AM
Browndog said...: Apparently all of the news organizations were at the dinner, and missed a major news story-

I have Yahoo! homepage, and not a word about the spectacle in Baltimore last night.

It seems it was a great game. So great, the fans refused to leave. The police had to show up in riot gear to get them to leave.

Peaceful protests broke out in the streets over the heavy handed police tactics as they tried to clear Camden Yard of jubilant baseball fans.; 4/26/15, 9:01 AM
pm317 said...: If it were not for the color of his skin, this thin-skinned guy would never have come anywhere close to where he is.; 4/26/15, 9:07 AM
David said...: Ha.

Ha.

Ha,; 4/26/15, 9:09 AM
Martha said...: what was going on with that curly hairdo Michelle was hiding behind at the Correspondents Dinner?; 4/26/15, 9:10 AM
Titus said...: You guys really hate him. Hate is not healthy.

Try to focus on something you like, if there is anything you like.

tits.; 4/26/15, 9:14 AM
Titus said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4/26/15, 9:16 AM
MathMom said...: George Bush said one thing, once, that was not nice. He said to some interviewer, "You have a face for radio."

I was shocked that a powerful man would say something that I thought was nasty and unkind to a guy just asking questions.

Now that looks like a compliment, compared to the insults that flow unceasingly from Obama's mouth. He always wants to stick his thumb in the eye of the American people.; 4/26/15, 9:21 AM
Michael K said...: I saw one minute of it, until I could find the remote. It was a "joke" about Hillary and her birth certificate.

Overwhelming egos are just not that funny.; 4/26/15, 9:25 AM
Paul said...: Best way to conceal the truth is to say it in jest.; 4/26/15, 9:30 AM
chickelit said...: Titus said...

Try to focus on something you like, if there is anything you like.

I like pointing out that Obama hates what many people love about the country . Sound convoluted?

Obama hates just like his mother hated. The psychology isn't that hard. It's not rocket science, Titus.

One day he won't be POTUS any longer and we'll wonder why we did that to ourselves.; 4/26/15, 9:34 AM
Diogenes of Sinope said...: It is to Obama's advantage to have people with good opposing policies enraged. It allows Obama and his supporters to divert attention to how "his opponents have a personal vendetta" against Obama and not legitimate policy differences. So Obama purposely, maliciously, ridicules, belittles and taunts.; 4/26/15, 9:41 AM
rcocean said...: So giving millions of illegal aliens amnesty and and not enforcing the immigration laws is "fixing it".

Shouldn't take much time though.; 4/26/15, 9:56 AM
Laslo Spatula said...: The Alternate Cornpone Self-Effacing Obama routine:

Let's get this out of the way first: yes, I will be reading all of this from a tele-prompter. There is nothing in my Muslim faith that prohibits me from doing so...

C'mon folks: just because my middle name is "Hussein" doesn't make me a Muslim. Not that there is anything wrong with that. I should count my blessings, though: at least I didn't name one of my daughters 'ISIS'...

I've been criticized for perhaps golfing too much. You'd think that the people who don't like my policies would want me out of the Office and golfing as much as possible -- Joe Biden told me that one...

Seriously, people: have you not heard of multi-tasking? When I'm golfing I'm also thinking about world affairs. Trust me: my golf game would be a lot better if I wasn't also thinking deeply about the Middle East on the Eighteenth hole...

Speaking of the Middle East: people keep asking me about what really happened regarding Benghazi. I would like to give a better answer, but Mr. Ghazi won't return my calls. Ben: if you're out there, get in touch..

There is a lot of talk about Gay Marriage these days. As you know, my position evolved. Now, would I have married Michelle if she was a man? Well, she already has bigger biceps than me, so...

Somehow I have gotten the reputation for being a bit thin-skinned. Don't worry, though: I have the Secret Service checking into where these rumors started...

I have to tell you: it is hard being the first black President. Sometimes I feel like Jackie Robinson, if Jackie Robinson had thrown a baseball like a girl...

There has been a lot of talk about me not wanting to work with the Republicans. That is simply not true. I put out an olive branch to Speaker of the House John Boehner, but somehow the message got messed up and he spent an evening waiting for me to show up at the Olive Garden. Good thing there was all-you-can eat pasta...

Seriously, John: You, me, Applebee's. But we'll split the check...

I am Laslo.; 4/26/15, 10:01 AM
Sebastian said...: Narcissists don't do self-deprecation.

"Humor" directed at inferiors is just verbal violence.

The prayer "joke" is actually funny: Obama submit to anyone? Nah.; 4/26/15, 10:04 AM
bgates said...: Are or will there be any positive aspects of his legacy?

He may have saddled us with a gigantic new entitlement program that's wasteful when it isn't corrupt, spread chaos throughout the Middle East and set up Iran to be the regional hegemon which restores order, heightened suspicion of America among our allies, done more damage to domestic race relations than to our foreign relations, corroded trust in government institutions by weaponizing them for use against political opponents (or as he calls us, "enemies"), turned "hope" into a punch line, burdened us with deficits that make the worst of Bush's look like a rounding error, turned in the worst six year economic performance since the last time an imperious progressive was President,

-but at least Ann Althouse got to vote for a black guy.; 4/26/15, 10:15 AM
Rusty said...: Titus said...
You guys really hate him. Hate is not healthy.

Try to focus on something you like, if there is anything you like.

tits.

Titus.
Try to focus on 'fabulous'. You don't do well with polical commentary.; 4/26/15, 10:21 AM
MadisonMan said...: This White House Correspondents' Dinner is a waste of time. Who needs to see people sitting around self-congratulating?

Were I President, I'd skip it entirely. Who needs it?; 4/26/15, 10:32 AM
Achilles said...: Almost as funny as joking about sending the IRS after his political opponents.; 4/26/15, 10:50 AM
Big Mike said...: Nine in 10 Americans now have health coverage.

In other words, roughly the same percentage as before Obamacare took effect.; 4/26/15, 11:09 AM
n.n said...: The "broken immigration system" is an absolute priority for Obama. The second and third-world leaders are thrilled to be divested of their burdens. The first-world minority "leaders" are free to exploit and disrupt their adoptive lands.

Immigration to displace and replace unplanned and planned Americans is critical for his legacy and his Party's survival. Americans must remain ignorant of their efforts to marginalize and neutralize the native population, and the debasement of human life wreaked by their selective-child policy. I wonder how long liberal doses of secular opiates will suppress people's integrity and humanity.

Also, he didn't negotiate with Libya, Ukraine, Syria, etc. I wonder why Iran has earned his favor.; 4/26/15, 11:20 AM
Trashhauler said...: I like Mrs. Obama's new hairdo.

And I can't criticize the President for playing golf.; 4/26/15, 11:27 AM
Hammond X. Gritzkofe said...: "White House Press Correspondents Dinner - the Obama Years"

Subtitle - "Night of a Thousand Microagressions"; 4/26/15, 11:31 AM
jr565 said...: Obama does not PRAY five times a day. C'mon. Unless he's praying to Allah.; 4/26/15, 12:00 PM
SteveR said...: There are plenty of people who like him. p-(; 4/26/15, 12:00 PM
CWJ said...: bgates@10:15,

Sadly yes. That's pretty much what it comes down to.; 4/26/15, 12:07 PM
Roost on the Moon said...: Conspiracies about him being a Secret Kenyan, or a Secret Muslim, Black Nationalist, or a "Radical Anticolonialist", etc, turned out to be a terrible move by the grassroots right.

A bandwagon of delusional racists forms up quickly, but doesn't take on many people afterward.

I'd say the big challenge against HRC is going to be finding criticism of her that is convincing to people who don't already hate her.; 4/26/15, 12:08 PM
Big Mike said...: And while people were demonstrating their progressive creds by laughing at crap like that, just 35 miles away the riots in Baltimore were turning violent.

If you voted for racial healing in 2008, Professor, the US is getting it good and hard.; 4/26/15, 12:12 PM
Big Mike said...: @Roost, I'd say that the problem for Hillary and her dwindling collection of fans will be converting the number of people who already hate down from 60% of the electorate.; 4/26/15, 12:14 PM
alan markus said...: Obama does not PRAY five times a day. C'mon. Unless he's praying to Allah.

I think he was mocking Scott Walker for claiming to not know whether or not in his heart he is a true Christian. Or else he was mocking the Muslims who don't think in his heart he is a true Muslim because he does not pray 5 times a day. Hard to tell when the great articulator speaks.; 4/26/15, 12:44 PM
PackerBronco said...: I don't think Obama is an atheist: He shows no signs of not believing in himself.; 4/26/15, 12:52 PM
furious_a said...: Try to focus on something you like, if there is anything you like.

tits.

There, fixed it for you!

furs; 4/26/15, 1:22 PM
furious_a said...: Thronesniffers gather over paprika-rubbed filet and wild mushroom ragout to admire one another while nearby Baltimore spirals into chaos.

Worst ruling class ever.; 4/26/15, 1:24 PM
Browndog said...: Roost on the Moon said...

Conspiracies about him being a Secret Kenyan, or a Secret Muslim, Black Nationalist, or a "Radical Anticolonialist", etc, turned out to be a terrible move by the grassroots right.

Not sure what "conspiracies" you refer to, or how you define them, but I am certain that you are free to post any and all factual evidence that puts them to bed.; 4/26/15, 1:31 PM
Skeptical Voter said...: A sick puppy, who is a legend in his own mind.; 4/26/15, 2:42 PM
n.n said...: Obama is an amoral opportunist with a narcissistic streak. Perhaps that's what it takes to succeed in an egocentric world. The bigotry, including pro-choice or selective principles, is part and parcel of this primitive ideology.; 4/26/15, 2:48 PM
Chuck said...: Here's a good crowd-sourcing project.

Compile a list, of all of the serious allegations that Obama was born in Kenya, or is a secret Muslim. You need to name the speaker, the date, and supply a link to the quote. All for accurate attribution.

My guess is that you can't find much of anyone who matters in serious conservative/Republican circles, who EVER said such a thing. And virtually no one (serious or not) after the earliest days of the 2008 Obama campaign.

It is one of the great strawman arguments of our time; that "Repubicans think that Obama is a secret Muslim, from Kenya..."

For every unserious Right-winger who ever suggested such a thing, there have been 1000 progressives who have generalized about it, to use it against Obama's (truly serious and credible) political opponents.

Can anyone on this blog name for me a single Republican statesman or national politician who has alleged that Obama is a secret Muslim?; 4/26/15, 3:18 PM
1775OGG said...: It's so great that we have such a kind and noble ruler. Princess Valerie was correct. those many years ago, when she said that he was ready to rule from Day One!

./barf on; 4/26/15, 3:23 PM
Quayle said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 4/26/15, 5:07 PM
Quayle said...: Two peanuts were walking in downtown Baltimore, and one was assaulted

peanut.; 4/26/15, 5:09 PM
PB said...: the best way to hide is in the open.; 4/26/15, 6:06 PM
machine said...: mebbe he shoulda joked about not finding weapons of mass destruction.

then he might get a laugh from this crowd.; 4/26/15, 6:33 PM
richard mcenroe said...: Big Mike said...

Nine in 10 Americans now have health coverage.

In other words, roughly the same percentage as before Obamacare took effect.

Yes, but now DIFFERENT people don't have it, so, FAIRNESS!; 4/26/15, 6:45 PM
richard mcenroe said...: Obama only prays to Anyone else when A) He thinks he's actually about to get caught at something or
B) When he's away from a mirror.; 4/26/15, 6:46 PM
Static Ping said...: There was a Saturday Night Live skit called "Comedy Killers," a fake game show about taboo comedy subjects that are just not funny. I cannot find a video but the transcript is here:

http://snltranscripts.jt.org/90/90mkillers.phtml

For those of you who don't mind the spoiling of a Roseanne Barr vehicle in which she graciously makes fun of herself, the ultimate comedy killer was the murder of Archduke Ferdinand. I'm sure that's just a joke, but I could completely believe it given the bloodshed that followed, emptying out the male cohort in multiple European countries. It also proved to be a bit of a comedy killer for the skit itself as much of the audience appeared not to get the reference, which is funny in itself.

With that in mind, the veto gag is perfectly acceptable given that is what Presidents do. The immigration reference is definitely a comedy killer for a certain audience, especially those that do not like imperial Presidents, which was not this audience so he's safe-ish. However, the concept of Iran, a bad actor if there ever was one led by people crazy enough to desire a nuclear exchange, as comedy material is a pure death. Anyone who laughed at this is either a fool or a toady. The prayer gag after it just makes it much, much worse as it reinforces the insanity of the Iran joke. You would need to be in a room of lunatics to find this amusing.

We are in the best of hands.; 4/26/15, 9:37 PM
chillblaine said...: Obama: “I think Dick Cheney is the worst president of my lifetime."

Yuk it up, you jug-eared halfwit.

Bush: "I think Obama deserves my silence."

Class and dignity.; 4/26/15, 11:00 PM
Unknown said...: I personally don't hate Obama, don't actually know him personally, but I HATE the "signature" actions he has accomplished, the results of many of his political activities, and many of the attitudes he displays (ok, the last is less objective and maybe reading the wrong thing; I'm willing to give it up if there's an alternate explanation).; 4/27/15, 10:18 AM
Todd said...: funniest lines or slip of the tongue? All while finding time to pray five times a day.; 4/27/15, 10:24 AM
Sammy Finkelman said...: RE: Comedy Killers skit.

Form Internal evbidence it seems to date from the time the first Gulf War (Pan Am 103 was rather recent then, and Assad was an ally in that war aaginst Iraw while by the second one his son was in power, snd Walter Mondate and Michael Dukakis are mentioned as comedy killers at at a Democratic National Coonvention.

Also Ted Kennedy was clearly still alive.

The URL seems to indicate 1990, so that Jeopardy type skit must have aired sometime in the fall of 1990.; 4/27/15, 2:06 PM
Static Ping said...: Roseanne hosted SNL three times: February 19, 1991; February 22, 1992 (with Tom Arnold); and December 3, 1994. So it was definitely the 90s. Jan Hooks, who was in the sketch, left after 1991 so it was probably the first date. The national anthem embarrassment would have been fresh at the time.

Also, the same site confirms it was the 1991 episode. Well, that would have saved some effort.

That was also the premiere episode for the Happy Fun Ball.; 4/27/15, 9:06 PM