Obama Pokes Fun at Self During Gridiron Dinner; Jokes About Bob Woodward, March Madness
President Barack Obama did not take himself too seriously with personal jokes during the Gridiron dinner on Saturday in Washington, D.C.
The president poked fun at himself along with the reporters at the elite event, according to Reuters.
One of the targets of Obama's jokes was veteran Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward who verbally attacked White House aide Gene Sperling.
"We noticed that some folks couldn't make it this evening. It's been noted that Bob Woodward sends his regrets, which Gene Sperling predicted," Obama said. "I have to admit this whole brouhaha had me a little surprised. Who knew Gene could be so intimidating? Or let me phrase it differently - who knew anybody named Gene could be this intimidating?"
The president's comments were followed by laughter from the crowd as Obama further commented on Woodward.
"Can anybody tell me when an administration has ever regretted picking a fight with Bob Woodward?" Obama joked in reference to Woodward's reporting on Nixon's Watergate scandal that helped lead to his resignation. "What's the worst that could happen?"
Obama took a jab at himself over the criticism for the time he has taken off from his job as president.
"We face major challenges. March in particular is going to be full of tough decisions. But I want to assure you, I have my top advisers working around the clock," Obama stated. "After all, my March Madness bracket isn't going to fill itself out. And don't worry - there is an entire team in the Situation Room as we speak, planning my next golf outing, right now at this moment."
The dinner is a function of The Gridiron Club and Foundation comprised of the top journalists in the country. The elite organization was founded in Washington in 1885 and membership is only giving by invitation with a set limit of 65 journalists for the entire group, according to CBS DC.
The full transcript of the president's routine can be found HERE.
