Humor At Annual Correspondents' Dinner Under FireSome Charge Jokes Revealed True FeelingsBy JOE MURRAY, The BulletinMonday, May 11, 2009While the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner is known for its politically bawdy humor, some of the jokes delivered during Saturday night’s event had some asking whether Democrats were laughing because they thought the jokes were true. Rush Limbaugh, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin and even the press were the comedic targets last night as President Barack Obama, along with an assist from comedian Wanda Sykes, delivered monologues.Even though the president is traditionally the target of the roast, Ms. Sykes used the dinner to assail conservatives while Mr. Obama smiled and laughed as the jokes were delivered. The stinging monologue left some questioning whether the Obama administration was committed to its campaign pledge of creating a more tolerant and united America.“Rush Limbaugh, one of your big critics, boy, Rush Limbaugh said he hopes this administration fails,” Ms. Sykes said during her roast at the dinner Saturday. “So, you’re saying ‘I hope America fails.’ He just wants the country to fail. To me, that’s treason.“He’s not saying anything differently than what Osama bin Laden is saying,” Ms. Sykes said. “You know, you might want to look into this, sir, because I think maybe Rush Limbaugh was the 20th hijacker, but he was just so strung out on oxycontin he missed his flight.”Ms. Sykes continued to attack Mr. Limbaugh by saying she hoped his “kidneys fail” and telling the Washington press corps Mr. Limbaugh “needs a little water boarding, that’s what he needs.”The popular talk show host was not the only target in the cross hairs at the dinner, as Mrs. Palin, and her family, felt Ms. Sykes’ comedic sting.Mrs. Palin was scheduled to be a guest of Fox News Saturday night, but due to flooding in Alaska she was forced to cancel at the minute. She sent her husband, Todd, in her place. Ms. Sykes used the scenario to make a joke attacking Mrs. Palin’s 17-year-old daughter’s out-of-wedlock pregnancy.Former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney also received honorable mention from Ms. Sykes, even though they are no longer in office. “Dick Cheney, oh my God, he’s a scary man, scares me to death,” Ms Sykes said. “I tell my kids, I says, ‘Look, if two cars pull up, and one has a stranger, and the other car has Dick Cheney, you get in the car with the stranger.’”Though not mentioning Mr. Bush by name, she used Mr. Obama’s adoption of his dog “Bo” to criticize the former president.“You know, the animal rights people on you, ‘Why didn’t he get a rescue dog? Why didn’t he get a rescue dog?’” Ms. Sykes said. “Look, the man has to rescue a country that’s been abused by its previous owner. Let him have a fresh start with a dog.”Mr. Obama, however, took a more carefree, good humored approach to the evening and poked fun at those closest to him.“Most of you covered me; all of you voted for me. Apologies to the Fox table,” Mr. Obama said to the 2,500 journalists, politicians and celebrities inside the Washington Hilton’s ballroom.The president made sure to poke fun at those in his administration, telling the crowd the moment Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, a former rival, got back from Mexico, “she pulled me into a hug and said I should go down there myself.”As for White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, Mr. Obama said Mother’s Day was a difficult holiday for the former congressman.“This is a tough holiday for Rahm. He’s not used to saying the word ‘day’ after ‘mother,’ “ Mr. Obama said.Joe Murray can be reached at jmurray@thebulletin.us
http://www.thebulletin.us/articles/2009/05/11/top_stories/bullet_points/doc4a07af888d146725917123.txtImagine, if you will, the shitstorm that would have followed had someone made similar statements about those on the left during one of these annual dinners during the Bush Administration. Can you say "double-standard"?
To top it off, reports are that Obama was laughing his ass off too....even on the comment that she hoped Rush's kidneys failed.
Its political comedy folks. Its supposed to have an edge to it. The only out of line things there I see are about Rush's Kidney's and Bristol Palin, both of which are below the belt.FQ13
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