Obama to Headline Gridiron Dinner

President Obama will headline the Gridiron Club's annual dinner this year for the first time as president, after declining invitations from the association of journalists in 2009 and 2010.

Mr. Obama was the first president since Grover Cleveland to skip the traditional event.

Every year, the Gridiron, one of the oldest and most prestigious associations of journalists, hosts a dinner with musical and comedic performances by members, poking fun at politicians and Washington.

The president, as well as one Democrat and one Republican speaker, also take to the microphone, with the press as their targets. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is expected to be this year's Democratic speaker; a Republican is yet to be named for the March 12th dinner.

"It's always more fun when the president comes, so we're all excited," CBS News chief Washington correspondent and Gridiron member Bob Schieffer said.

Gridiron President Susan Page of "USA Today" announced the news to club members Wednesday. In a note to reporters, Page said, "We're thrilled that President Obama will continue that unbroken tradition at our 126th anniversary dinner in March."

In 2006, Mr. Obama spoke at the dinner as a senator and in 2004, he spoke at the winter dinner as senator-elect.