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 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, an evening of song and skits making light of major
players in U.S. 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 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," Walker said. "It goes right
to her campaign headquarters. You know, it's
hillaryclinton@wallstreet.com," he said.
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, feeling loose with less than two years left in office, noted
criticism that he had taken a "selfie" photo in a viral video
promoting his health insurance program, but he turned the tables on
Republican senators who sent a letter to Iran warning them against a
nuclear deal Obama hopes to secure.
"You don’t diminish your office by taking a selfie. You do it by
sending a poorly written letter to Iran," Obama said.
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Obama also ribbed Vice President Joe Biden for his touchy-feely
habits. Biden drew criticism for massaging the shoulders of the wife
of incoming Defense Secretary Ash Carter at his swearing-in
ceremony.
"Joe rubs my shoulders, too," Obama said.
Obama jabbed Walker for dodging a question during a recent trip to
London on whether he believed in evolution.
"I absolutely believe in the theory of evolution - when it comes to
gay marriage," Obama said to laughter.
Obama came out in favor of gay marriage in 2012 after many years of
what he described as a personal evolution in his thinking about the
subject.
The Gridiron Club and Foundation, founded in 1885, is the oldest
organizations of journalists in Washington. Membership is by
invitation only.
(Reporting by Jeff Mason, Roberta Rampton, Steve Holland; Editing by
Kim Coghill)
[© 2015 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
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