Obama: ‘Rush Limbaugh warned you about this’
By Paul Scicchitano and Todd Beamon, newsmax
It may have been the first time President Barack Obama acknowledged what must have been a painful truth in front of an audience of millions.
“How do you like my new entrance music?” the president said gleefully after making his way to the podium of the Washington Correspondents’ Association gala on Saturday (27) with rap music thumping in the background.
“Rush Limbaugh warned you about this — Second term baby,” he conceded to a wave of laughter.
And the one liners kept coming — at the expense of not only Limbaugh, but Fox News, casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and essentially the entire Republican Party.
But it was all good fun in an annual tradition that brings Hollywood to the Potomac and humbles not only the opposition, but also the jokester in chief in what can best be described as a uniquely American political experience.
“Actually my advisors were a little bit worried about the new rap entrance music,” the president said. “They are a little more traditional. They suggested that I should start with some jokes at my own expense — just take myself down a peg. I was like ‘guys after four-and-a-half years how many pegs are there left?”
In the interest of improving his working relationship with Republicans, Obama said he is often advised to spend more time with Congress.
“Why don’t you get a drink with Mitch McConnell they ask? Really? Why don’t you get a drink with Mitch McConnell,” the president jabbed at the Kentuckian.
He noted that Las Vegas casino magnate Sheldon Adelson spent $100 million of his own money on negative campaign ads during the presidential election.
“You’ve got to really dislike me to spend that kind of money. I mean that’s Oprah money. You could buy an island and call it ‘Nobama’ for that kind of money,” he said.
“Sheldon would have been better off offering me $100 million to drop out of the race,” Obama said to laughter. “I probably wouldn’t have taken it. But I thought about it.
But “Michelle would’ve taken it,” he added, looking in the direction of the first lady, who was laughing. “You think I’m joking?”
He also had a special place for Fox News in his one-night act.
“The History Channel is not here,” the president continued. “I guess they’re embarrassed about the whole Obama is a devil thing. A top-rated cable miniseries raised questions as to whether the devil looked like the president.
“Of course, that never kept Fox News from showing up,” he added. “They actually thought the comparison was not fair — to Satan.”
Commenting on his predecessor’s new library, Obama said he too is working on plans for a library.
“Some have suggested we put it in my birth place, but I’d rather keep it in the United States,” he said, only to follow up with a poke at another big name. “Did anybody not see that joke coming? Show of hands? Only Gallup? Maybe Dick Morris?”
Naturally, Obama did not to spare the Republican Party from his wit.
“I know Republicans are still sorting out what happened in 2012,” the president began. “But one thing they all agree on is that they need to do a better job of reaching out to minorities.
“Look, call me self-centered, but I can think of one minority they can start with — hello.”
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