WASHINGTON, Apr 28: US President Barack Obama poked fun at the media, his critics and himself at the annual White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, a star-filled event where journalists and celebrities mixed with the Washington elite.
Joined at the dinner by his wife, first lady Michelle Obama, the president yesterday gently knocked Republicans for not working with him on policy priorities and made a rare reference to his race when urging the opposition party to be cooperative.
“I know Republicans are still sorting out what happened in 2012, but one thing they all agree on is they need to do a better job reaching out to minorities,” Obama said.
“And look, call me self-centered, but I can think of one minority they could start with. Hello? Think of me as a trial run, you know?” he said.
Obama, a Democrat and the first black U.S. President, won re-election in November with overwhelming support from minority voters including blacks and Hispanics.
He took a swipe at people who have doubted his religion and accused him of being a radical leftist, while he made light of his graying hair.
“These days, I look in the mirror and I have to admit, I’m not the strapping young Muslim socialist that I used to be,” Obama said. “Time passes. You get a little gray.”
The president is a Christian who was born in Hawaii, but he included some material for so-called “birthers” who falsely assert he was born abroad.
(AGENCIES)
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel