Obama salutes Kennedy Center honorees

President Obama is applauded by the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors recipients, from left, rock band Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant, guitarist Jimmy Page, and keyboardist/bassist John Paul Jones, ballerina Natalia Makarova and comedian and television host David Letterman in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. / AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta

President Obama saluted this year's Kennedy Center honorees at a White House reception tonight, just before they were honored by their fellow celebrities at a show that annually is the hottest ticket in Washington.

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Kennedy Center honorees announced

The honorees - late night talk show host David Letterman, actor Dustin Hoffman, the rock band Led Zeppelin, blues musician Buddy Guy and Russian ballerina Natalia Makarova - were feted by Mr. Obama in the East Room this evening.

Michelle Obama also attended the reception along with celebrities such as Alec Baldwin, Jack Black, Itzhak Perlman, Lenny Kravitz, Ray Romano, Aretha Franklin, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Jimmy Kimmel, Morgan Freeman and Robert De Niro.

The president spoke about each of the honorees and took the opportunity to jab a couple of them, especially, Letterman, the one guy who jabs famous people each night on his show.

• Letterman up for jabs with Kennedy Center Honors
• David Letterman, Dustin Hoffman among 2012 Kennedy Center honorees

"It's different when you're not the one with the mic, isn't it, Dave?" Mr. Obama said to laughter. "I'd also point out it's a lot warmer here than it is on Dave's set," the president added, referring to the frigid temperature inside the Ed Sullivan Theater, per Letterman's demand.

"Tonight we honor David Letterman, who has always offered us an authentic piece of himself -- sometimes cranky, often self-deprecating, always funny," Mr. Obama continued. "And those of you who have been on his show know he is also a true gentleman."

Actress Meryl Streep uses her iPhone to get a photo of her and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton following the State Department Dinner for the Kennedy Center Honors gala Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012 at the State Department in Washington.

/ AP Photo/Kevin Wolf

Later, following the president's remarks about Makarova, Led Zeppelin was next on the list.

"I worked with the speechwriters -- there is no smooth transition from ballet to Led Zeppelin," he quipped. "We were trying to work the 'Stairway To Heaven' metaphor and it didn't work," the president added, referring to one of the group's most famous songs.

Mr. Obama wasn't done with the jokes.

"Of course, these guys also redefined the rock and roll lifestyle. We do not have video of this," he said to laughter. "But there was some hotel rooms trashed and mayhem all around. So it's fitting that we're doing this in a room with windows that are about three inches thick -- and Secret Service all around. So, guys, just settle down."

U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama attend the Kennedy Center Honors at the Kennedy Center on December 2, 2012 in Washington, DC.

/ Getty Images/Brendan Hoffman

Turning serious, the president wrapped up by pointing out, "each of us can remember a moment when the people on this stage touched our lives. Maybe they didn't lead us to become performers ourselves. But maybe they inspired us to see things in a new way, to hear things differently, to discover something within us or to appreciate how much beauty there is in the world. "

The Kennedy Center Honors will be broadcast December 26 on CBS.

[nuttyworld]

Where else but the United States can you receive an honor from the president for telling sexual joke about 9-year old girl and sports figure.

[dman6015]

I just love all you whiny, complaining GOP far-right wingnuts. You have no clue what this event is about or why they have it EVERY YEAR, regardless of who is in office. The "Party of No" strikes again. And, no, we're not going to give you back "your" country. It's our country, too. "Love it or leave it" was the common refrain from you guys back in the 60s. Well, take a dose of your own medicine. And STOP telling everyone that your party is all for less government intrusion in people's lives. You can't stay out of everyone's bedroom and you can't stay out of a woman's womb. You're all for MORE government control of people's lives. It's the only way to stay in power, what little you have left.

[cptdeuce]

I have never been less proud to be an American.

[bobnjersey]

[I have never been less proud to be an American.]
-------------------------------
you should move.

i'm sure you'll get a lot of help packing.

[anitaymoore]

Please feel free to leave then.

[Threewarriors]

Another self hyped, self glorifying event. What did David Letterman every do that was noteworthy? Fiscal cliff, obummer-us doesnt care, he's not down there at the bottom suffering.

[anitaymoore]

Neither are any of the Republicans who want to fight him tooth and nail no matter what he tries to do to help this country...so don't just pick him out.

[dman6015]

This is an annual event, hosted by Democrat and Republican presidents alike. Now go *bleep* yourself. I'm tired of the "Party of No".

[marychgo]

Are Romney supporters EVER going to stop WHINING? You lost! There are more of us than there are of you! But you don't HAVE to allow your disappointment over the November 6 results to poison your life! Have you EVER laughed at a (non-political) Letterman "top ten" list? Enjoyed Hoffman's work on the screen? Grooved to a Zeppelin or Buddy Guy tune? Admired the beauty of Makarova's classical ballet? We're celebrating the arts, not playing political games. Why is that so HARD for you to grasp?
Frankly, you were more entertaining when you were getting hysterical about the possibility of seceding from the union. It was idiotic for anyone to think that signing petitions on the White House's website was going to accomplish anything, but at least that wasn't as mean-spirited and small-minded as these bitter, hateful responses to the Kennedy Center honors!

[mikescottmd]

wrong you are. 60 million goodfornothing lazy slobs, and those that sympathize with them voted for lowbama. 57 million workers that pay the bills for the slobs voted for romney.
104 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS DIDN'T BOTHER TO VOTE AT ALL. which means that lowbama is president by getting 28.2% of the registered voters in the country. HALF DON'T EVEN BOTHER TO VOTE BECAUSE THEY FEEL THE SITUATION IS HOPELESS, and it is. but with time lowbama will be gone and we WILL get our country back.

[dman6015]

Hey, jackass MikeScottMD (yeah, sure): Of your bogus 60 million figure, more than a majority of them are senior citizens and former/current military, just trying to survive on meager benefits. They're not all "welfare queens" as you types like to call them. Now go *bleep* yourself. I'm tired of the "Party of No".

[Leftydems]

no worries, eroteme - he'll just extend one of his many vacations. after all, he adds no value being at the White House, anyway, and his plane only costs us $184,000 per hour to operate. you expect BHO to focus, do work, solve problems, LEAD our country. Please! He has no time for such foolishness for the proletariat who elected him.

EROTEME2 says:I hope this occasion did not interfere with his golfing schedle.

[tmonta67]

Oh man, you disgruntled voters never miss a beat, do you? You think Air Force One cost less to operate under the Bush Regime?

YOUR GUY LOST. GET OVER IT ALREADY.

[Cdotsays]

The Republicans can be a disgusting bunch. Look how the mighty G.O.P I grew up touting have become. Y'all hate Government so much but think you can dictate what should happen in other countries and in people's bedrooms? Oh the double standard! The Crazies! The war-mongering! Keep on with your foolishness and see if anything will be left of the party come 2016.

[mdntoil]

"Better than workin'" said Obama.

[eroteme2]

I hope this occasion did not interfere with his golfing schedle.