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Obama Jokes About Air Force One Flyover
By
Jen Chung
Published May 10, 2009
Modified May 10, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published May 10, 2009
Modified May 10, 2009
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It was the only night that President Obama could joke about the White House's ill-advised photo op of Air Force One over NYC: Last night's White House Correspondents' Dinner. Obama said, "Sasha and Malia aren't here tonight because they're grounded. You can't just take Air Force One on a joyride to Manhattan." He started off his remarks by telling the journalists, "Most of you covered me. All of you voted for me," told RNC chairman Michael Steele that the GOP doesn't qualify for a bailout (though Rush Limbaugh may be a "troubled asset") and said of Hillary Clinton, "The minute she got back from Mexico, she pulled me into a hug and said I should go down there myself." Another crowd pleaser: "I've cut the tension by bringing a new friend to the White House. He's warm, he's cuddly, loyal, enthusiastic. You just have to keep him on a tight leash. Every once in a while, he goes charging off in the wrong direction and gets himself into trouble. But enough about Joe Biden." The night was hosted by Wanda Sykes, who told Obama, "It's funny to me that [photographers] have never caught you smoking, but they always catch you with your shirt off. I know you're into this transparency thing, but I don't need to see your nipples." Here's video of Obama's remarks and one of Sykes.
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white house correspondent's dinner
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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