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Obama Out-Cracks Jay Leno

'You wanna know what really tickles me? Eric Massa'

By the Associated Press

Posted May 2, 2010 6:49 AM CDT

(AP) – President Barack Obama offered a bit of wisdom to a ballroom filled with celebrities, political insiders, and journalists: There are a few things in life harder to find and more important to keep than love. "Well, love and a birth certificate," he quipped at last night's black-tie White House Correspondents' Association dinner. The president out-joked emcee Jay Leno, reports Politico, who generally played it safer than, say, Stephen Colbert.

The highlights:

  • The president then took aim at Leno, saying the talk-show host was "the only person whose ratings fell more than mine."
  • Obama hears he's popular on Twitter and Facebook. "Or as Sarah Palin calls it, the socialized media."
  • Leno later picked up on the same theme, saying the president isn't as aloof as critics claim. "He loves to socialize—health care, car companies."
  • "The Jonas Brothers are here!" said Obama. "Sasha and Malia are huge fans, but boys don't get any ideas. I have two words for you: Predator Drones. You'll never see it coming."
  • "I saw Michael Steele backstage…aka, Notorious GOP," said Obama. "Michael, who knows truly what's plagues Americans today: Taxation without representin'."
  • And finally: "You wanna know what really tickles me? Eric Massa.”

First lady Michelle Obama attends the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.
First lady Michelle Obama attends the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.   (J. Scott Applewhite)
Jay Leno pokes fun at President Obama, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington. At far left is first lady Michelle Obama, second left is Matt Winkler of Bloomberg.
Jay Leno pokes fun at President Obama, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington. At far left is first lady Michelle Obama, second left is Matt Winkler of Bloomberg.   (J. Scott Applewhite)
Chelsea Handler and Katie Couric pose for a picture at the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.
Chelsea Handler and Katie Couric pose for a picture at the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.   (Luis Alvarez)
President Barack Obama makes humorous remarks as he speaks to the White House Correspondents' Association fundraising dinner, at the Washington Hilton Hotel, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.
President Barack Obama makes humorous remarks as he speaks to the White House Correspondents' Association fundraising dinner, at the Washington Hilton Hotel, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.   (J. Scott Applewhite)
Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass. talks to a reporter after the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.
Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass. talks to a reporter after the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
Rupert Murdoch and his wife Wendi Deng attend the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.
Rupert Murdoch and his wife Wendi Deng attend the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., walks with his daughter Arianna Brown after the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.
Sen. Scott Brown, R-Mass., walks with his daughter Arianna Brown after the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
President Barack Obama nibbles on fruit during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.
President Barack Obama nibbles on fruit during the White House Correspondents' Association dinner, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer shakes hands with actress Mariska Hargitay at the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer shakes hands with actress Mariska Hargitay at the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
President Obama points to a video screen as he makes humorous remarks to the White House Correspondents' Association fundraising dinner.
President Obama points to a video screen as he makes humorous remarks to the White House Correspondents' Association fundraising dinner.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Tracy Morgan attends the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.
Tracy Morgan attends the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
The Jonas Brothers, Kevin, Joe and Nick attends the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010.
The Jonas Brothers, Kevin, Joe and Nick attends the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010.   (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
Musician Jon Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea attend the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.
Musician Jon Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea attend the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
First lady Michelle Obama attends the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.
First lady Michelle Obama attends the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton Hotel, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Attorney General Eric Holder and his wife Sharon Malone attend the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010.
Attorney General Eric Holder and his wife Sharon Malone attend the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010.   (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
Alec Baldwin shakes hands with George Stephanopoulos at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington. Actress Mariska Hargitay is at center.
Alec Baldwin shakes hands with George Stephanopoulos at the White House Correspondents' Dinner, Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington. Actress Mariska Hargitay is at center.   (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
Justin Bieber attends the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.
Justin Bieber attends the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
Jessica Simpson attends the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.
Jessica Simpson attends the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner at the Washington Hilton Saturday, May 1, 2010, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
First lady Michelle Obama, flanked by Jay Leno, and Matt Winkler of Bloomberg News, is welcomed by the White House Correspondents' Association as she and President Obama arrive.
First lady Michelle Obama, flanked by Jay Leno, and Matt Winkler of Bloomberg News, is welcomed by the White House Correspondents' Association as she and President Obama arrive.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
Kate Capshaw, left, Steven Spielberg, Michelle Pfeiffer, and David E. Kelley attend the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, May 1, 2010.
Kate Capshaw, left, Steven Spielberg, Michelle Pfeiffer, and David E. Kelley attend the 2010 White House Correspondents' Dinner on Saturday, May 1, 2010.   (AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)
President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are welcomed by the White House Correspondents' Association as they arrive, Saturday, May 1, 2010.
President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama are welcomed by the White House Correspondents' Association as they arrive, Saturday, May 1, 2010.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 27 comments
flin1
May 3, 2010 5:37 PM CDT
Obama smokes ex-pro basketball player at HORSE then puts ex-pro comedian to shame. He bad!
Ma'at
May 3, 2010 3:30 PM CDT
Ugh. I mean Leno seems nice enough, but it's been 20 years since I laughed at a joke of his.
spraynard
May 3, 2010 7:34 AM CDT
Ah, the Ugly Friend strategy. Brilliant.

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journalism • correspondent • Jay Leno • White House Correspondents Dinner • President Obama • birther

 
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