Sharing a stage, Romney and Obama go after laughs -- not each other

NEW YORK Just two days after many heated back-and-forth exchanges at their second debate, President Obama and Mitt Romney shrugged off the attacks and opted for humor while sharing a stage at the Alfred E. Smith charity dinner here.

"I'm pleased that the president's here. We were chatting pleasantly this evening as if Tuesday night never happened," Romney quipped.

Obama pointed out that it was the third time the two candidates have found themselves in the same room, after the first two debates. "Some of you may have noticed I had a lot more energy in our second debate," he said. "I felt really well rested after the nice long nap I had in the first debate."

• For Romney and Obama, one-liners are on the menu
• Watch: McCain and Obama at the Alfred E. Smith dinner in 2008

The appearance of both presidential candidates at the annual charity dinner dates back to 1960, when Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy both took the stage to honor Smith, the former New York governor and first Catholic presidential candidate. It has since become a tradition for the two men running for the highest office in the land to offer humorous and often self-depreciating remarks at the white-tie event, held at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel.

Both the president and Romney used the opportunity to crack wise about their own perceived shortcomings. The Republican nominee commented on the large amount of wardrobe changes he has to make on the campaign trail -- everything form jeans to suits and sport coats.

"But it's nice to finally relax and to wear what Ann and I wear around the house," he joked, referring to his tuxedo and his wife's black-and-white gown.

Obama spent a good part of his opening remarks knocking his first debate performance in Denver, which took place on his 20th wedding anniversary to wife Michelle. "I learned that there are worse things that can happen to you on your anniversary than forgetting to buy a gift," he said. "Take note, gentlemen."

But both men also used the occasion to get in some good-natured jabs at their opponent.

"As President Obama surveys the Waldorf banquet room," Romney said, "with everyone in white tie and finery, you have to wonder what he's thinking. So little time. So much to redistribute."

He later told the story of the apostle St. Peter, who was told to build a church "upon this rock" in the Bible. "The story's all the more inspiring when you consider that he had so many skeptics and scoffers at the time who were heard to say: If you've got a church, you didn't build that," Romney joked, referring to a line said by the president that has become the heart of the Republican attack against him.

The president was ready with a retort, telling the New York crowd that he loved visiting the old Yankee Stadium. "The house that Ruth built," he said, "although he really did not build that. I hope everybody's aware of that."

The president also ribbed Romney over a foreign trip he took over the summer where he was criticized in both foreign and national press for perceived gaffes. Obama compared the overseas trip to one he took as a candidate four years earlier.

"I was attacked as a celebrity because I was so popular with our allies overseas," he said. "And I have to say that I'm impressed with how well Governor Romney has avoided that problem."

Both men chose to end their speeches on a positive note, offering praise to their opponents and to the foundation at whose event they spoke. Romney complimented the president as a man with "many gifts and a beautiful family that would make any man proud." Obama repaid the gesture, saying he admired his rival for being a family man and loving father, "two titles that will always matter more than any political ones."

The two men will meet for a final time before the election at the last presidential debate in Boca Raton, Fla., on Monday evening, just 15 days before voters head to the polls. The president noted the oddity of speaking at an event in New York -- most definitely a non-swing state -- with so little time left in the election.

"In less than three weeks, voters in states like Ohio, Virginia, and Florida will decide this incredibly important election," he said to a smattering of laughter. "Which begs the question -- what are we doing here?"

[88ew88]

Yeah, whatever. Have you even watched it or read the transcripts? The media is playing us for fools. They question Romney about why he doesn't provide details for his plan, when he does that all the time (see his website) and they don't report it. They label him flip-flopper when Obama shifts positions more often than Romney does. They don't want Americans to learn about Romney as a more than competent candidate for president. On the other hand, they help Obama cover up his failures such as Fast and Furious, Libya, economic numbers, the results of his policies and programs, etc. If Obama were Bush, we wouldn't be able to escape daily running totals of the deficit and unemployment on the front page. Yet Obama's numbers are far worse!

Read both sides for balanced coverage because it sure doesn't exist in one place and both sides leave stuff out. How can you make an informed opinion on any topic if you only consider one point of view? You can't. Thanks for listening.
www.conservativemormonmom.blogspot.com

[jackpenn]

hypnotoad72: Wow, you must have alot of time on your hands to be researching all of that information..........are you one of the unemployed? Anyway, I look at it the same way any business looks at it, if the CEO isn't making money for the company with their tactics, or they aren't keeping the shareholders happy, the company gets a new CEO. If a football team isn't winning, or getting in the playoffs, the owner gets a new coach. Obama has not done a good job as CEO of America, and it is time to get a new one. The citizens of America are the shareholders, and we will all decide in November if we are going to change the CEO.

[jackpenn]

It is nice to see both candiates have a sense of humor, and can come together with one common goal, to raise money for a good worthy cause. I believe they are both good men, but Romney will do the most good as president right now, because America needs a business oriented person in these troubled economic times. Obama had his chance, and I do believe he tried his best, but it wasn't good enough. Now, it is the right time for a new president, who will also do his best to get our great country back on track with his successful experience in getting more good paying jobs for everyone who wants to work, and not just standing around with their hands out for a free ride on the government.

[hypnotoad72]

JackPenn,

Given Obama's compromising ("Bush's third term", "Obama is Bush 2.0", "Romney Bush fourth term", and any number of other web searches I recommend you start doing), what makes you think Obama's competition will improve things as President for you or me or any other worker?

At least you mention "good paying jobs", but given the offshoring just for the sake of lowering pay to be pocketed as "profit" by the top... here's a reminder of some of the details:

[hypnotoad72]

Private industry creates 90% of all jobs.

Saying "taxes" in of itself won't help because of all the subsidy and bailouts they get. They nullify each other and then some. Don't believe me?

Also, as any remaining jobs require degree+massive experience, those currently in college may not be able to find work because of the lack of it and volunteer work does not pay the bills.

Worse, as those entry level jobs are in other countries, they will have the experience companies (who lobbied to get welfare in return for offshoring jobs as well) will have the experience they've engineered at our expense.

Don't blame government, it's simply bought and paid for.

You are being remarkably naive, forgetting how much wealth that's generated by American workers goes to the corporations in the form of taxpayer-funded subsidy, never mind to corporations that offshore jobs as means of calling it "profit" in return.

In short, we already have socialism. Corporate welfare to prop up the corporations (and banks) at our expense. In which case, let's use the real term: "Plutocratic corporatism".

Let's see what you have to say about THAT. And then compare the number of articles he's cited in the past with mine, of which here is a small reminder:


http://www.epi.org/publication/ib330-productivity-vs-compensation/
http://www.realitybase.org/journal/2009/3/10/the-american-dream-died-in-february-1973.html
http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/2012/0612/How-skewed-is-America-s-income-inequality-Take-our-quiz/Median-income/
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/opinion/sunday/fables-of-wealth.html
http://krugman.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/04/28/where-the-productivity-went/
http://motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2010/01/vicious-cycle-stagnant-wages
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/04/opinion/04krugman.html?_r=4
http://www.ctj.org/html/layoffs.htm
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/01/opinion/01eggers.html
http://greatdivide.typepad.com/across_the_great_divide/2009/06/walmart-workers-on-welfare-lets-look-for-the-spin.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-09-13/census-household-income/50383882/1
http://www.thefiscaltimes.com/Media/Slideshow/2012/04/04/Minimum-Wage-and-What-It-Buys-You-1950s-to-Now.aspx?index=1
http://www.hollandsentinel.com/opinions/x13292164/COLUMN-American-workers-got-what-they-deserved
http://underthemountainbunker.com/2011/03/31/senator-bernie-sanders-guide-to-corporate-freeloaders/
http://www.truth-out.org/top-us-corporations-outsourced-more-24-million-american-jobs-over-last-decade/1303196400
http://www.ctj.org/html/corp0402.htm
http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/19/news/companies/auto_crisis/index.htm
http://www.sociology.vt.edu/course/socprobs/corporatewelfare.html
http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/05/02/undercover-boss-season-finale/
http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/career/supervisor-wants-employee-to-quit-part-time-job/2902
http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com/case/hiring-illegal-immigrants.html
http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=6283
http://ecosalon.com/squawk-our-tax-dollars-help-mcdonalds-hawk-chicken-in-europe/
http://drich13.newsvine.com/_news/2011/03/20/6307764-study-governor-walkers-budget-will-cut-21843-jobs-could-actually-hurt-state-economy
http://www.progress.org/cwfedex.htm
?http://www.infoworld.com/d/adventures-in-it/why-us-it-jobs-arent-coming-back-465?source=fssr
http://www.infoworld.com/d/the-industry-standard/beware-the-plot-increase-the-h-1b-visa-program-269
http://hubpages.com/hub/HowH1BVisaFRAUDiskillingAmerica?
http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9133529/U.S._H_1B_workers_outnumber_unemployed_techies
http://www.ourfuture.org/corporate-welfare
http://mydd.com/story/2007/2/7/184312/5388
http://acsa.net/press/savearticlegates.htm
http://www.ritholtz.com/blog/2011/03/ronald-reagan-where-free-unions-and-collective-bargaining-are-forbidden-freedom-is-lost/
http://money.cnn.com/2009/08/28/news/economy/paycuts/index.htm
http://greatdivide.typepad.com/across_the_great_divide/2009/06/walmart-workers-on-welfare-lets-look-for-the-spin.html
http://www.larouchepub.com/other/2003/3045walmart_iowa.html
http://www.businessinsider.com/microsoft-to-grassley-were-still-using-h-1bs-no-moral-imperative-to-hire-americans-2009-3
http://www.google.com/search?q=americans+train+replacements+H1B
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJDhS4oUm0M
http://anti-union.blogspot.com/2008/11/greedy-american-union-auto-workers-and.html
http://management.fortune.cnn.com/2011/03/25/unpaid-jobs-the-new-normal/

[chriszhill]

I bet the Cardinal just told them the one about... What do a priest and a curry have in common? If you pick the wrong one it could have serious repercussions on you arse!!

[A-Hick]

Romney told most of his jokes about Obama, and Obama told most of his jokes about himself. Wonder which one of these men is the most insecure? Do you really want Romney using the White House as family therapy to restore the political reputation of his father? I would think that the Bushes would have disabused Americans of that idea.

The Iranians would play Willard like a drum and get us tarred down there in a war for years.

The only likely good thing about a Romney presidency is that it would guarantee Jeb Bush never becomes president. Thank goodness for small favors.

Don't let Willard do for America what he did to his dog. DON'T POOP ON AMERICA in 2012!

Visit www.muttsagainstmitt.com

Like Romney and think he offers FRESH AIR FOR AMERICA?
Show your support at muttsformitt.com

[Necroscope84]

Nice to see the hate left at the door for a charity event. See, I'm voting Obama. I'm not a Democrat and have been a Conservative my whole life. I freaking live in Texas. But I have never once hated Romney. I might not vote for him but I don't hate him. Heck, I don't really know him, not personally and certainly not well enough to decide I hate the man or to call him something as evil as the Antichrist which is alot more than anyone who supports him can say. If you think Mitt is the man, fine vote for him. Same goes for Obama but get off your high horses and stop with the blind hatred. I honestly believe both men care I just happen to disagree with Mitt's polocies it's as simple as that. We have to stop being a nation divided and find some common ground. Vote for who you think is best but don't vote out of fear and hatred please. Thank you.

[hypnotoad72]

Those are fair points... even I didn't hang up my cynicism in a previous response to this article...

But I agree - common ground is good... I just wish all politicians would do the same thing with common ground and the compromising than can come from it.

[achememnon]

Its good to see someone with a mature response about politics. We are one country and we need to wake up and find common ground and be united again.

[enaid3]

Where was Michele? There's no photo of her but lots of photos of Ann Romney.(Ann looked beautiful) If Ann would have been missing, I'm sure you would have run that in the headlines.

[judymar14]

They can't stand each other, too much hand shaking and patting on the back. A bit too phony, less would have been better and more believable.

[hypnotoad72]

What's phonier, the hand shaking or the barbs?

Obama's record of compromising and caving doesn't make voters feel anymore assured... And as Obamacare is Romneycare, maybe their hand shaking and laughs were not phony?

[Taylor_Camp]

I feel like, at this point, it doesn't even matter what the candidates say. People have long ago determined who they want to vote for, purely due to pre-existing party memberships. Yes? I read this interesting article about how in election years, people actually buy more RED and BLUE cars. This year, more people have bought red cars, so people are predicting that Romney will win. Here is the link: http://www.web2carz.com/trends/offline/1511/car-buyers-pick-mitt

[Souptwins]

Venus--- except the 7-11 poll would missing all the Mormons who don't drink coffee. :)

[jgiorgis]

It would also be missing the locations that don't have 7-11's anymore. There isn't a single 7-11 in Omaha anymore. In fact, I don't believe there is a 7-11 in all of Nebraska.

[papa_ray]

Old and stupid news (about TAG) He is a kid and supposed to and WILL defend his Dad.

Anything else and I and millions of other Americans would have been disappointed.