Obama and Romney trade jokes for charity
Obama and Romney take a break from political debate at Catholic event to help needy children
Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney poked fun at themselves and each other for a charitable cause, two days after more serious attacks on each other in their second presidential debate.
The pause for jokes in the tight race for the November 6 election took place on Thursday night at a dinner organised by the Catholic Archdiocese of New York to benefit needy children.
The two candidates are running neck and neck in the polls and Obama is hoping his strong performance in Tuesday's debate will help him regain the momentum he lost following his poor showing in the first debate two weeks earlier.
"I learned there are worse things that can happen to you on your anniversary than forgetting to buy a gift," Obama joked, referring to his poor performance the first time around.
Romney, who spoke before Obama, playfully jabbed at the president, saying both candidates have crucial people on whom they rely. As Romney put it: "I have my beautiful wife, Ann, he's got Bill Clinton."
The event, expected to raise US$5 million for Catholic charities, was overseen by Cardinal Timothy Dolan, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops. Addressing the glamorous crowd, clad in evening finery, Romney, a millionaire many times over, said: "It's nice to finally relax and wear what Ann and I wear around the house."
Of Obama, Romney said: "You have to wonder what he's thinking. So little time, so much to redistribute."
Obama hit back: "Earlier today, I went shopping at some stores in Midtown. I understand that Governor Romney went shopping for some stores in Midtown."
Obama, looking ahead to the final debate with Romney on Monday, which will focus on foreign policy, quipped: "Spoiler alert: We got bin Laden."
The pair also finally found something they could agree on - jokes about Vice-President Joe Biden get big laughs.
"I've heard some people say, 'Barack, you're not as young as you used to be. Where's that golden smile? Where's that pep in your step?"' Obama said.
"And I say, 'Settle down, Joe. I'm trying to run a Cabinet meeting here."'
Speaking of Biden's animated debate performance with the Republican vice-presidential nominee Paul Ryan, Romney said: "I was actually hoping the president would bring Joe Biden along this evening because he will laugh at anything."
