Obama jokes about Clinton email, knocks Republicans at annual dinner
US President Barack Obama has taken aim at his Republican opponents and his gaffe-prone vice president in a satirical speech that included a roasting of his former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over her recent problems with email.
US President Barack Obama has taken aim at his Republican opponents and his gaffe-prone vice president in a satirical speech that included a roasting of his former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton over her recent problems with email.
Obama joined Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker, a potential Republican contender for the 2016 presidential election, and Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe of Virginia for the annual Gridiron dinner on Saturday, an evening of song and skits making light of major players in US politics.
Obama joked that his reputation for being a tech-savvy president had now been eclipsed by his one-time foe Clinton, who has come under fire for using a private email account for her work as the nation’s top diplomat.
“If you think about how things have changed since 2008, back then I was the young tech-savvy candidate of the future. Now I’m yesterday’s news and Hillary’s got a server in her house!”
“I am so far behind,” he said to much laughter.
Walker also had some fun with Clinton’s email controversy, tying her to wealthy Wall Street donors.
“I even have Hillary’s private email,” he said. It goes right to her campaign headquarters.
Walker quipped that the joke was written by Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is known for crusading against Wall Street, and who some Democrats hope will challenge Clinton.
Obama also ribbed Vice-President Joe Biden for his touchy-feely habits. Biden drew criticism for massaging the shoulders of the wife of incoming Defence Secretary Ash Carter at his swearing-in ceremony.
“Joe rubs my shoulders, too,” Obama said.
