D.C. dinner brings out the barbs
President Obama laughs during the 2011 White House Correspondents' Dinner
April 27th, 2012
12:04 PM ET

D.C. dinner brings out the barbs

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It’s the one night of the year when the president, his staff and those who follow him are allowed to loosen up and tickle their funny bones.  Every year, the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner gives politicians and the reporters who cover them a chance to laugh at themselves and the world around them.  And for the comic tapped to deliver the keynote address at the dinner, it’s an opportunity to entertain Washington’s elite.  But there are times where the comic makes the headlines for all the wrong reasons.  You’ve gotta watch these moments when the keynote comics made more headlines than the jokes.

2011: Obama laughs off Osama joke

In 2011, “Saturday Night Live” star Seth Meyers joked about Osama bin Laden hiding on C-SPAN. What Meyers did not know was that U.S. intelligence had already found bin Laden and that he would be killed within hours. Watch President Obama and his staff put on their game faces about 30 seconds into the clip while Meyers poked fun.

2009: Sykes' controversial Limbaugh joke

Comedienne and actress Wanda Sykes pulled no punches and took no prisoners when she addressed the 2009 Correspondents’ Dinner. But Sykes heard a few “boo birds” when she connected radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh to Osama bin Laden and the 9/11 hijackers. Listen to Sykes’ remarks about 10 seconds into the clip and see if they were appropriate.

2006: Colbert rips Bush, Washington

In 2006, just a few months after his Comedy Central show premiered, Stephen Colbert brought his brand of satire to the Correspondents’ Dinner. While many laughed, his jabs at then-president George W. Bush and his administration angered a number of Bush’s aides and supporters, some of whom walked out during the performance. Watch and decide for yourself if Colbert was funny or infuriating.


soundoff (76 Responses)
  1. Pete

    Romney and his hedgemen will have nastier barbs,more personal than these comics can dish out.But people,the voters are seeing the dirty dialogue that will cost Romney the election.This campaign mo is a tradition amongst rightwing hypocrites everywhere,a proven winner ,just ask Bush and McCain,they've earned their stripes and are proud leaders of it...Just remember political karma,what goes around ,comes around.We'll see in November...

    April 27, 2012 at 1:07 pm |
    • Howard

      MITT ROMNEY FOR PRESIDENT IN 2012 !!!

      April 27, 2012 at 2:08 pm |
      • DAVE

        I WILL BET ANYONE $10,000 THAT ROMNEY WILL NEVER, EVER BE PRESIDENT.

        April 27, 2012 at 2:56 pm |
      • Chris B

        My etch-a-sketch will have his arse handed to him after the first debate with Obama.

        April 27, 2012 at 4:17 pm |
      • Not in the U.S.A.

        Not in the U.S.A.

        April 27, 2012 at 4:33 pm |
      • i_know_everything

        in your dreams

        April 27, 2012 at 5:29 pm |
      • saywho

        Quit shouting – it's impolite.

        April 27, 2012 at 5:43 pm |
      • Howard

        Obama said his father served in WW II? Barack's father served in WW II?
        He said so in a speech. Here is an 18 second video:
        CNN News clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fv4jnlkxOaw
        Is he a compulsive liar? Were there no reporters who checked or double checked these statements and called the party on this? They did for everyone else. Why not him?
        Like it or not, here are the facts:
        Barack Hussein Obama Sr. (Obama's father) Born: 4/4/36 Died: 11/24/82 at the age of 46.
        He was 5 years old when WW II started, and less than 9 1/2 yrs old when it ended.

        Lolo Soetoro (Obama's step father) Born: January 2,1935 Died: 3/2/87 at the age of 52.
        He was 6 years old when WW II started, and 10 years old when it ended.

        April 27, 2012 at 10:18 pm |
      • jean2009

        @Howie

        What do you do go to the each site and post the same lie. His grandfather Stanley Armour Dunham served in WWII.

        http://familypedia.wikia.com/wiki/Stanley_Armour_Dunham_%281918-1992%29

        "Stanley Dunham died in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1992 and ashes are inurned at there at the Punchbowl National Cemetery. It was a small ceremony with a few of his bridge and golf partners in attendance, a three-gun salute, and a bugle playing taps, according to Obama's biography."

        April 28, 2012 at 3:07 pm |
      • 1FreeWorld

        I want tickets to the next Obummer Comedy Skit,,,,

        Where will he be playing?

        HE HAD IT COMMING,
        HE HAD IT COMMING,,

        [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MNOBphZkYA&w=640&h=360]

        Obummer and the rest of the democRATS will be in JAIL SOON!

        Next Obummer SHOW in CHICAGO, or in Many Other FEDERAL PRISONS, as Barry's Attorneys shift his Home!

        Wow, It is like we have to pay for his VACATIONS after he was in Jail!

        April 28, 2012 at 9:20 pm |
      • DEcember 2012

        PRESIDENT OBAMA WILL BE LAUGHING HIS WAY TO A RE-ELECTION!

        ROMNEY IS A JOKE AND THE GOP KNOWS IT.

        April 29, 2012 at 12:53 pm |
      • 1FreeWorld

        I looked at the photo with all the Soldiers Saluting and I tried to post a comment,,,,

        I know,,,

        90% of the folks in that picture will NOT Vote for Obama,,,,

        90% of the folks in that picture are willing to lose their lives protecting Freedom for their Family, Parents, Spouses, Siblings, and Children and Grand Children from TYRANNY (like Big Goverments controlling you and yours)!!!

        Check it out!

        http://oathkeepers.org/oath/

        Ut Ohh,,, Are we being monitored by the Feds? 1984?

        April 29, 2012 at 9:37 pm |
      • 1FreeWorld

        I am wondering where this will go!

        Look at all the Hollywooder's HERE!

        They are really COOL!

        [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjOZOnye9QY&w=640&h=360]

        His wHoseHinee's Empire is about to FALL!

        Humpty Obama, Dumpty Obama,
        Sat on a Wall!

        Humpty Barack, Dumpty Barack,
        Had a great FALL!

        All the Hollywooder's and All the RaceBaiters,,,

        Couldn't put the Socialist Barack Back together again!

        April 29, 2012 at 10:08 pm |
      • 1FreeWorld

        WOW!

        A little humor here!

        Ut Oh,,,, the F-Bomb.

        [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OhnQEP2Hl4&w=640&h=360]

        Oh, did you hear the DEMOCrat EPA Guy QUIT the EPA?

        The Cockroaches,,, er, DemocRATS are leaving the SINKING SHIP!

        April 30, 2012 at 7:55 pm |
    • Chris B

      His "hedgemen"??

      What are they, landscapers?

      April 27, 2012 at 4:16 pm |
      • jean2009

        I think he is referring to Gordon Gekko's henchmen, but I could be wrong it could be a play on the words hedge fund.

        Henchmen:
        1. A loyal and trusted follower or subordinate.
        2. A person who supports a political figure chiefly out of selfish interests.
        3. A member of a criminal gang.
        4. Obsolete A page to a prince or other person of high rank.

        Sounds familiar!

        April 28, 2012 at 3:14 pm |
    • Proof

      AS ALWAYS no proof for your baseless claims!!! Give me some citation...SOMETHING proving ANYTHING you are saying is true!!! LIAR! All OPINION! Just as you said what comes around goes around!!! 🙂

      April 27, 2012 at 4:29 pm |
      • 1FreeWorld

        WOW!

        A little humor here!

        Ut Oh,,,, the F-word.

        [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OhnQEP2Hl4&w=640&h=360]

        Oh, did you hear the DEMOCrat EPA Guy QUIT the EPA?

        The DemocRATS are leaving the SINKING SHIP!

        April 30, 2012 at 7:57 pm |
      • Pri

        Cancer and health iusses are slowly degrading our societies well being and we can help in preventing it . You can now become part of something bigger. At PoGosh we are combining the social activism that has gripped our society of late to make advances in health. Humanity has only one direction in which it is moving and that is to further freedom not just in our governmental controls but also with respect to our minds and collective knowledge. The ability to be able to make discoveries and share them without repute is unparalleled. As we realize slowly what we need and the movement grows our voices will not be silenced. Be proud of your accomplishments and what you have to offer and become a member

        August 2, 2012 at 12:02 am |
    • SERIOUS CNN???

      All I did was ask for proof of what the guy is saying and you won't post my comment???????????????????? LOSER MEDIA company!!!!!!

      April 27, 2012 at 4:33 pm |
    • donovanglass

      Agreed.

      April 27, 2012 at 4:51 pm |
    • BoLoMT

      What are 'hedgemen'?

      The guys that work in his yard?

      April 27, 2012 at 5:40 pm |
    • Dontbow

      GO ROMNEY! obamasucks

      April 27, 2012 at 6:15 pm |
    • Lizzie

      Just wait until David Axelrod starts up, you haven't. Seen anything yet. Republicans can't even think of the dirty tricks Axelrod has up his sleeve, he is a master of it.

      April 28, 2012 at 4:56 pm |
      • Howard

        David Assholerod is leading from behind Obama.

        April 30, 2012 at 3:06 pm |
    • Howard

      WHEN YOU OBAMA STOOGES, LIKE JEAN, AND 'VOTING 4 A REAL LEADER' PROVIDE YOUR FELLOW BLOGGERS WITH MISINFORMATION, AND VIDEO CLIPS WITH EDITED OUT INFORMATION, YOU CHEAT YOUR FELLOW BLOGGERS AND READERS OF THE TRUTH. YOUR UNDERHANDED MANIPULATION OF THE TRUTH, IS JUST ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF OBAMA'S CULTURE OF CORRUPTION. SEE THE ACTUAL VIDEO, WHERE OBAMA SAYS HIS FATHER, NOT HIS GRANDFATHER, SERVED IN WWII, AT YOUTUBE.

      April 29, 2012 at 11:53 am |
    • Howard

      Obama wants credit for the heroic killing of one Islamic terrorist (by the Navy Seals), while he finances millions of other Islamic terrorists.

      At a time when Americans are tightening their belts, and experiencing hard economic times, Obama overrides congress, and is now giving 147 million in tax payer dollars to ... the Palestinians. Yes, the same Palestinians who danced in the streets, and cheered on 9-11, when over 3,000 innocent Americans were slaughtered ... and, the same Palestinians who are governed by Hamas, an America hating, Islamic terrorist organization. It's time to throw this two faced traitor out of the White Hous

      April 30, 2012 at 1:55 pm |
      • Anne

        Nasamomdele I sometimes have to fall back to my cmfoort zone as an English teacher. Syntax refers to word order or sentence structure. You're referring to word CHOICE. (Easy mistake.) I can't imagine any responsible person thinking there can be instant withdrawal without greater instability in Iraq. I believe even liberals (and I tend not to label myself) generally understand that there needs to be some sort of timetable.

        July 31, 2012 at 12:13 pm |
  2. alcourts

    http://www.Hear-The-Truth.com

    April 27, 2012 at 1:13 pm |
    • Howard

      At a time when Americans are tightening their belts, and experiencing hard economic times, Obama overrides congress, and is now giving 147 million in tax payer dollars to ... the Palestinians. Yes, the same Palestinians who danced in the streets, and cheered on 9-11, when over 3,000 innocent Americans were slaughtered ... and, the same Palestinians who are governed by Hamas, an America hating, Islamic terrorist organization. It's time to throw this two faced traitor out of the White House.

      April 29, 2012 at 9:48 pm |
  3. Blah blah the wheel's off your trailer

    "Its the one night of the year when the president, his staff and those who follow him are allowed to loosen up and tickle their funny bones!" But in 2006, Some of Bush's administration walked out on what was supposed to be a friendly occasion! Typical republicans! They like to wage personal attacks on others, but when someone asks a flaky question or makes a flaky joke, they get all up tight and demand an apology! Whiners and hypocritics!

    April 27, 2012 at 1:43 pm |
    • Mike

      Because close minded people are much less tolerant than the open minded.

      April 27, 2012 at 2:08 pm |
    • Blah blah blah

      Yep you leftys are whiners!!!! Give it up and move to China if you want the government to run your life, I sure don't!!!!

      April 27, 2012 at 4:32 pm |
      • jean2009

        @Blah blah blah blah blah

        WHAT? The right wing teapotty has been doing nothing but solid whining for the last 31/2 years....get over it ...you lost..... That old geezer McCain and the bimbo from Alaska lost.

        And John.... I know people who didn't vote for him the last time that will this time. So there you go!

        Obama-Biden 2013-2017!

        April 28, 2012 at 3:21 pm |
    • SERIOUS CNN???

      what is going on here????????????? He called GOP whiners so I call DEMS whiners???????????? So sad I can't even disagree was someone!!!!!!!!! YOU should be taken off the airs!

      April 27, 2012 at 4:35 pm |
    • Howard

      If you're such a fan of Obama, buy his comedy album when it comes out, or watch him on late night ... but, don't gamble the future of America, by betting our survival on this loser. Thanks to Obama, over 5 trillion has been squandered in just 3 1/2 years ... our credit score has been downgraded ... our debt has just exceeded our GDP ... and, Obama wants to double down on his pathetic failed policies. Unlike you, I love America more than Obama.

      April 28, 2012 at 1:09 pm |
  4. Jim Doerflinger

    I love these clips. I don't think that it is right for me to have to suffer through a minute and a half of commercials to see a few minutes of clips on the same page, much less two of the same ad. There are many of us out here who don't have cable tv and are internet only viewers. The ratio of commercial to playable content is unhinged.

    April 27, 2012 at 1:46 pm |
  5. Anomic Office Drone

    Colbert at the 2006 dinner was one of the gutsiest examples of speaking truth to power I've ever seen.

    April 27, 2012 at 2:08 pm |
    • Bert BigDongler

      What a brave dude to make fun of George Bush! That kind of thing is so uncommon and will get you ostracised in Hollywood! But a real risk taker like Colbert doesn't worry about that. Who knows, he may even go "way out there" and make a snarky comment about Sarah Palin! What a rebel that guy is...

      April 27, 2012 at 5:47 pm |
  6. paul

    From what I saw, Colbert was more mocking of FOX news than the president. His best line: "Fox News always gives both sides of every storey; the President's side and the Vice President's side".

    April 27, 2012 at 2:47 pm |
    • John

      Isn't this actually a shot at this administration?

      April 28, 2012 at 2:49 pm |
      • 1FreeWorld

        @Jean2009,,,

        The Const Consers have learned from the Rules of Rads=icals!

        You are such a Useful (person) Id-iot (not personally,,, just business,,, err,,, just Liberal Business)

        HA Ha Ha,,,, err (LOL)

        You cannot fool us again!
        We won't be fooled again!

        [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rp6-wG5LLqE&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3%5D

        I bet Jean2009 is a hoot at parties and I would like to meet her!

        Most Constits Conservs want everybody to Prosper!

        They want all to contribute to society!

        Even as Court Jesters!

        April 28, 2012 at 9:47 pm |
  7. Larry

    Way too much Kool-Aid drinking in this place.

    April 27, 2012 at 3:09 pm |
  8. NObama 2012

    gosh...nothing is funny this year and this is not good for obama...as the change of the guard lines up. Gas prices sky high (failed middleast policy), no jobs (failed domestic policy), and barack is getting slapped by the supreme court on his health care law and imigration (the law professor he isn't)... No hope and no change (for the better)...same old left wing garbage...nothing new.

    April 27, 2012 at 3:34 pm |
    • randoid1234

      iMigration? Is that someting to do with Apple?

      April 27, 2012 at 4:35 pm |
    • Peter

      True. But replacing it with right wing garbage won't help.

      April 27, 2012 at 4:39 pm |
    • donovanglass

      You must be one of these people living in an alternate reality.

      April 27, 2012 at 4:46 pm |
    • i_know_everything

      haters gonna hate

      April 27, 2012 at 5:30 pm |
    • jean2009

      No one is tying you down...you can move.

      April 28, 2012 at 3:26 pm |
    • Howard

      NERO FIDDLED WHILE ROME BURNED ... OBAMA TELLS JOKES, WHILE AMERICA GOES BANKRUPT !!!

      April 29, 2012 at 12:51 pm |
  9. Tom

    Colbert and Myers were gut-bustingly hilarious. But the thing that catches my attention the most is how President Obama laughed and put on a smile through Myers' jokes about Osama Bin Laden hiding out, all the while knowing that at that moment US special forces were gearing up to take him out. Say what you want about our President, but he's got ice in his veins.

    April 27, 2012 at 3:57 pm |
  10. Mensaman

    I've been watching this dinner every year since it was first telecast. It's been around before that for decades. It is a shame that Hollywood horned in on it and ruined the really funny "inside baseball" banter between the media and the President. Now it's just a lame, liberal, mean spirited, hate fest that's about as bad as a Dean Martin roast.
    It's a shame how everything good eventually gets ruined.

    April 27, 2012 at 4:05 pm |
  11. carmen luster

    red white and blue in tx. obama you and michelle go to the party set a spell and laugh a little. things up the wh will get better. its just the times we need to go through to grow. you will even be a better prez. this next 4 years so, the people will just have to be still and let him have fun. obama in 2012 a sure thing

    April 27, 2012 at 4:11 pm |
  12. Dave

    Colbert spoke the truth. But the truth always makes Republicans look like the jokes they are. They're so unused to hearing truth (living in their Fox lie bubble).

    April 27, 2012 at 4:25 pm |
    • John

      Once again we have a FOX basher with nothing to back it up.. How about ONE think to back up what you say? Have you ever watched anything on Fox?
      Do you watch MSDNC? You know, the network that has the talking heads that are in love affairs with BO? They are not bias...LOL!!!!

      April 28, 2012 at 12:22 pm |
      • jean2009

        I can't stand him .....but how about Joe Scarborough on MSNBC Morning Joe?

        The only channel that doesn't have an opposing spokesperson is FOX...right wing crap all day long. Forget Beckel that is not a liberal.

        April 28, 2012 at 3:39 pm |
  13. Sponge-Bob

    Our debt is now more than our GDP, just like Greece. There could be another recession this or next quarter if things don't change. The kool-aid drinkers always believe but who knows how the independents will react?

    April 27, 2012 at 4:38 pm |
    • John

      I am sure it will be... Bush's fault.

      April 28, 2012 at 1:25 pm |
      • jean2009

        I'm sure you are right!

        April 28, 2012 at 3:40 pm |
  14. What you really get

    None of these people are funny. That muffmunching Wanda Skanks was especially weak. The first clown really sucked. Reminded me of a child trying to be funny and the adults in the room aren't laughing

    April 27, 2012 at 4:51 pm |
    • John

      They should hae invited Joe. He could have given them his "big schtick" line. That was funny and got plenty of laughs.

      April 28, 2012 at 1:26 pm |
  15. MyTasteHaveChanged

    Can believe how much hope I lost in this president. What a sham of policies and "hope". I'm so bored of all that I thought I was getting with him... never again. I'll pick any other what was served by this "hope" presidency. So bored... Gimme whoever... Romney? Sure of course, only smart thing to do at this point is continue with the "change" idea. Thank goodness it is almost done with this 4 years of no growth unemployment. Anyone but the O in the next four years please!

    April 27, 2012 at 5:07 pm |
    • John

      Aren't you better off now than you were 5 trillion dollars ago?

      April 28, 2012 at 2:51 pm |
    • Nakachwa

      If you're liberal, then vointg for Obama is a reasonable choice. If however your a conservative, Obama is not a logical choice. There will quite possibly be 3-4 Supreme Court Justices retire in the next 4-8 years. A conservative that would vote for anyone but the Republican nominee is blind to that fact. McCain is not my ideal choice, but as his mother suggests, I will hold my nose and vote for the man, because he is the only hope to put even mildly conservatie jurists on the Supreme Court. And with that, I'll pass. (Thanks Dan)

      July 31, 2012 at 7:15 am |
  16. scarf

    This excerpt of Colbert's performance didn't do it justice. If you want to see some really funny political humor, watch the entire thing!

    April 27, 2012 at 5:08 pm |
  17. Judy

    I couldn't stand Bush from the beginning, but Colbert was very outright disrespectful, and not even funny.

    April 27, 2012 at 5:39 pm |
  18. huxley

    Colbert is the great one. They should give him 10 minutes, every year.

    April 27, 2012 at 5:49 pm |
    • John

      The people you lefties think are great is beyond anyone....

      April 28, 2012 at 2:51 pm |
  19. gung hoe

    To all the people pointing out all the things that obama didnt do,your wasting your time all the obama followers have blinders on cant think for themselves they do what the union tells them like lost sheep following the shepard over the cliff.I just thank god for reagon.Thats when i started to think for myself

    April 27, 2012 at 6:40 pm |
    • John

      I use to think that way, but more and more I am talking to people who voted for him the first time that won't again. I'll agree, many followers have blinders on and will never think of not voting for him, but there are a bunch of people who are changing their mind about him. When just under 50% of the population lives of the governmnet in one way or another you need to realize many of their votes are bought.
      The house of cards this administration has hidden from Americans is beginning to fall. Just this past week we have seen the true agenda and "general philosophy" of the EPA's policy enforcement when we say the rant of Armendariz talking about punishing the oil companies instead of trying to work with them. We also saw this week Obama lieing about the college loan program and what was said by repubs.

      April 28, 2012 at 9:04 am |
  20. Marilyn

    I thought the jokes were funny most of the time, I bet some of those guest that hate Obama wished they should have stayed home. They are just too dumb to do it, the president does have a great sense of humor and look forward to another four years.

    April 29, 2012 at 12:01 am |
  21. judy

    Not only do repos have no sense of humor they have no idea how to tell jokeing from reality. They lie like howard who has been on every post trying to tell us about Obamas father. We have read the book and know it was his grandfather who served.you moron. Thats problem with the repos they think if they say it over and over we will believe it. God help us if mitt gets in. Obama 2012 move forward

    April 29, 2012 at 4:22 pm |
  22. gung hoe

    Hey december 2012 you are delerious. Dont you think it would be good to have a president that can give a speech without haveing to read it in front of him.Or better yet a vice president that runs around with his foot in his mouth. If biden was to say anything intelegent everybody would have to be treated for shock!!!

    April 29, 2012 at 5:44 pm |
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    I've been surfing online greater than 3 hours lately, yet I by no means found any interesting article like yours. It's beautiful price sufficient for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made just right content material as you did, the internet will probably be much more useful than ever before.

    April 30, 2012 at 2:45 am |
  24. judy

    why do you care where he reads his speahfrom you twit. Ever look at regan or bush? get over this kind of stupidty. Disagree on issues but give the birther stuff muslim stuff telapromter stuff a rest. He has a good sense of humor and laughed at himself also.You guys are no winning any arguments with this stupid stuff. Obama 2012 the only adult running.

    April 30, 2012 at 10:45 am |
  25. Prarika

    Cavewoman Snow #1 $3.75 because I have been fonwloilg Budd since the Caliber Press days;Hate Annual $ 4.95 because you can't live without Peter Bagge annual humour!Ultimate X-Men Marvel’s Greatest Comics #1, $1.00 I usually buy every low price copy to keep a reading copy of comics I have loved a lot (this being the case) or to try new titles;Walking Dead #84, $2.99 because I want to read it every month, as always (the Italian edition publisher and translator are friends and both from my town, btw ;Godzilla Kingdom of Monsters #2 $3.99 I love everything Godzilla and the new mini was very fine;Mighty Thor #1, $ 3.99 Just saw the movie yesterday and it was great, great director Kenneth Branagh as expected, very good Stracz screenplay also, easy to follow for absolute newcomers too but with sufficient nerd references too;Secret Avengers #12.1 $2.99 I have ordered all Point One issue so far, the premises sounds good!FF # 2 $ 2.99 well, Jonathan Hickman stories have been great so far, so I have great expectation about this new title, although Spidey inclusion sounds odd to me, but when Walt Simonson did that several years ago, it was a lot of fun, so we'll see .My total is really $ 26.65, I breached a few but I think that FF # 2 deserves this! )

    August 1, 2012 at 10:46 pm |