Unplugged: When Politicos Try to be Funny

The well-known Washington charity event has received a good deal of buzz for its ability to get serious, high profile politicians to let loose, Argetsinger told host John Dickerson.

"[Senator] Arlen Specter told some pretty dirty jokes about two years ago," she noted.

Still, Argetsinger's recent reporting shows that in the past five years, the event has failed to bring in money for the charities it claims to be benefiting, with virtually all revenues going toward the costs of the show.

"Despite the fact it convinces all these A-listers to humiliate themselves for charity... the event has been pretty much a wash over the last five years, leaving a lot of charities feeling burned," she said.

Its unsuccessful fundraising hasn't stopped political stars from trying their hand at a joke or two -- Sam "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher took to the stage this year with a joke about being former Bush administration adviser Karl Rove's half brother. Argetsinger said the jokes are funnier than one would expect from political wonks.

"A lot of people in public life... deep down they're kind of hams," she said. "They like the spotlight. This is a rare chance they get to be irreverent."

Watch the full show above, which also includes a discussion with CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller on President Obama's trip to Copenhagen and his decisions on Afghanistan.

"Washington Unplugged" appears live on CBSNews.com each weekday at 12:30 p.m. ET. Click here to check out previous episodes.