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US President Barack Obama laughs at comedian Wanda Sykes (R) during the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner in Washington - Source: Reuters -
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President Barack Obama served as comedian in chief, predicting
that his second 100 days in office will be so successful that he
will wrap them up in record time.
"I must confess I really did not want to be here tonight," Obama
told guests at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner -
an annual black-tie gathering of journalists, politicians and
Hollywood celebrities.
"But I knew I had to come. That's one more problem that I
inherited from George W Bush."
Alluding to his reputation for staying cool and on message, Obama
ticked off a series of goals he hoped to achieve.
In the next 100 days, he said, he would learn to go off the
teleprompter and Vice President Joe Biden, famous for verbal
gaffes, "will learn to stay on the prompter."
Obama said he also expected to house-train his new, seven-month-old
Portuguese water dog, Bo.
"The last thing Tim Geithner needs is someone else treating him
like a fire hydrant," he said, referring to his treasury
secretary.
Geithner was forced to pay US$34,000 in unpaid back taxes before
being confirmed to his job and he has been criticized for his
handling of the financial crisis.
"Finally, I believe that my next 100 days will be so successful
that I will be able to complete them in 72 days. And on the 73rd
day, I will rest," he joshed.
In a dig at the press, Obama said: "We look for you for truth -
even if it's always an approximation."
Obama later endured some ribbing from stand-up comic Wanda
Sykes.
She shared the head table at the dinner that brought together
some 2,700 people at the US$200-a-plate event - proceeds of which
went to charity and to fund journalism scholarships.
Sykes, known for her blunt take on current events, mused about her
pride in Obama's being the country's first black president.
"That's unless you screw up," she said, turning to him from the
podium.
"And then it's going to be - what's up with the half-white guy."
