CNN: President Barack Obama poked fun Saturday night at his chief of staff and ribbed Washington's elite during a black-tie dinner at Alfalfa Club, a 93-year-old Washington social club.Sarah Palin went to the Alfalfa dinner. Why? Because she didn't want to turn down having dinner with the president. What? As the video points out, she called him a terrorist during the campaign. How will her bigoted fans feel about that change of heart? Has she left Tennessee Joe for the ball, to bask in the glow of Obama? My, my.
The first African-American president began by poking fun at the club's historical roots.
"I know that many you are aware that this dinner began almost 100 years ago as a way to celebrate the birthday of General Robert E. Lee," Obama said, referring to the man who commanded the Confederate army during the Civil War.
"If he were here with us tonight, the general would be 202 years old. And very confused."
The ceremony was closed to the media. But the White House released excerpts of the president's remarks.
The Alfalfa Club was started by four Southerners in Washington's Willard Hotel in 1913. Its sole purpose was an annual night out for the boys, and it took its name from a thirsty plant that sends its roots deep down looking for liquid refreshment.
The club remained exclusively open to men until 1994, when women were admitted as members. Read the rest.
More of Obama's remarks during the dinner:
Swamp: "Now, this hasn't been reported yet, but it was actually Rahm's idea to do the swearing-in ceremony again,'' Obama said. "Of course, for Rahm, every day is a swearing-in ceremony.From Politico:
"But don't believe what you read,'' Obama said. "Rahm Emanuel is a real sweetheart....
"No, it's true,'' the president said. "Every week the guy takes a little time away to give back to the community. Just last week he was at a local school, teaching profanity to poor children.''
Obama spoke of the travails of his first 10 days:
"In just the first few weeks, I'e had to engage in some of the toughest diplomacy of my life,'' he said. "And that was just to keep my BlackBerry.
"I finally agreed to limit the number of people who could email me. It' a very exclusive list. How exclusive?... Everyone look at the person sitting on your left Now look at the person sitting on your right. None of you have my email address.''
President Obama, at last night's closed-press Alfalfa Dinner, on the delay in getting a dog: 'The labradoodle we picked has some problems with back taxes.'
