Fete

Obama Mocks Rivals and Himself

In first appearance at Gridiron Club dinner.

Hopefully this is a preview of 2012. In his first appearance at the Gridiron Club, an annual gathering of Washington politicians and journalists, Obama roasted his potential rivals, himself, and the swanky event. It was the elite club's third attempt to get the president to appear, and he greeted them by saying how exciting it was to be meeting at a time when change is sweeping the world and driving out old regimes—“look out, Gridiron club,” he followed after a beat. He went on to make cracks about Haley Barbour's weight—“Haley, when Michelle said you should run, she didn’t mean for president” and Tim Pawlenty's low profile: "Tim Pawlenty's not here, but he's hit the campaign trail hard," Obama said. "And to be honest, I think the American people are going to have some tough questions for Tim. Specifically, 'Who are you and where do you come from?' Which is OK. Two years into my presidency and I'm still getting those questions." Representing the Republicans was Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels, who ribbed Obama for his reliance on his teleprompter, saying, “"Mr. President you're not laughing…who forgot to put ha-ha-ha on the teleprompter?"