Obama Brings Down House at Press Dinner

President plays stand-up comic

By Amelia Atlas, Newser User

Posted May 10, 2009 5:40 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama slayed his audience with killer jokes last night at the celebrity-studded White House Correspondents' Dinner, reports the Washington Post. Aiming zingers at everyone from Hillary to himself, Obama drew guffaws from the 2500 guests with lines like: "My next 100 days will be so successful. I will complete them in 72 days. On the 73rd day, I will rest." Many stars who supported Obama from the start attended. But the evening also included Todd Palin at the Fox table.

"All of you voted for me. Apologies to the Fox table," quipped the president. Host Wanda Sykes scorched Sean Hannity for failing to follow through with his vow to be waterboarded. "I could break him by giving him a middle seat in coach," she boasted. Referring to Rush Limbaugh's drug use and his wish that the Obama administration fail, Sykes quipped that Limbaugh had planned to be a 9/11 terrorist, but was "so strung out on Oxycontin he missed his flight."

[Images (18)]

[Videos (2)]

President Barack Obama reacts with laughter to host Wanda Sykes, who entertained the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Washington yesterday. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

First lady Michelle Obama gestures that she can't hear as actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg calls out to her from the audience. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers and fashion designer Donatella Versace attend the 2009 White House Correspondents' Dinner. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

President Barack Obama reacts with laughter to comic/actress Wanda Sykes who entertained the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, Saturday, May 9, 2009. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

President Barack Obama pokes some gentle fun at politicians and the press at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Washington, Saturday, May 9, 2009. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Singer Stevie Wonder attends the 2009 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton last night. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Actor Ashton Kutcher wife Demi Moore pose with CNN news anchor Wolf Blitzer at the 2009 White House Correspondent's Dinner. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Television personality Tyra Banks attends the 2009 White House Correspondent's Dinner at the Washington Hilton. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Director Steven Spielberg and wife Kate Capshaw attend the 2009 White House Correspondent's Dinner yesterday. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Wanda Sykes provides sharp-tongued humor at the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner with President Obama as the guest of honor, in Washington, Saturday, May 9, 2009. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

President Obama speaks with Tom Curley, president of the AP, as he arrives for the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner in Washington, Saturday, May 9, 2009. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

Actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers and fashion designer Donatella Versace attend the 2009 White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, May 9, 2009 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Singer Stevie Wonder attends the 2009 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, May 9, 2009 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Katie Couric attends the 2009 White House Correspondent's Dinner at the Washington Hilton on Saturday, May 9, 2009 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Singer Sting and wife Trudie Styler attends the 2009 White House Correspondent's Dinner on Saturday, May 9, 2009 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Capt. Richard Phillips, center, poses with actor Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, left, and his wife Andrea at the 2009 White House Correspondent's Dinner on Saturday, May 9, 2009 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Actress Glenn Close attends the 2009 White House Correspondent's Dinner on Saturday, May 9, 2009 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

Record executive Tommy Mottola and wife singer Thalia attend the 2009 White House Correspondent's Dinner on Saturday, May 9, 2009 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini)

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President Obama's remarks at the 2009 White House Correspondents' Dinner in Washington. (Subscribe4MoreNews)

Comedian Wanda Sykes at White House Correspondents Dinner. (Halbertis)

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Obama Brings Down House at Press Dinner