Romney Roasts Obama, Media at Annual Al Smith Dinner: ‘So Little Time, So Much to Redistribute’
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 18: (L – R) U.S. President Barack Obama, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and Ann Romney look on at the start of the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie charity gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Credit: Getty Images)
GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney poked fun at himself and at President Barack Obama, telling a white tie and gown crowd at the annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Dinner in New York City on Thursday that, “it’s nice to finally relax and wear what Ann and I wear around the house.”
A laid-back Romney joked with the audience throughout his brief address as his rival President Barack Obama looked on. Through much of the evening, he sat just one chair down from the president. Only host Cardinal Timothy Dolan separated them.
Romney wasn’t shy about including Obama in his remarks. Including this zinger:
“Of course we’re down to the final months of the president’s term…As President Obama surveys the Waldorf banquet room, with everyone in white tie and finery, you have to wonder what he’s thinking. So little time, so much to redistribute.”
Romney also jabbed at Obama’s running mate, saying he wished the president had brought Vice President Joe Biden “because he’ll laugh at anything.”
Referring to his “Big Bird” remarks in the first presidential debate, Romney delivered this zinger: “In the spirit of Sesame Street, the president’s remarks tonight are brought to you by the letter ‘O’ and the number 16 trillion.”
On a roll, the Republican pointed out that both candidates have people they rely heavily on. “I have my beautiful wife, Ann, he’s got Bill Clinton,” Romney joked.
Romney looked comfortable and confident on the stage and spoke ahead of the president. Obama appeared to be a good sport as he listened to Romney roast him.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) speaks as U.S. President Barack Obama (R) and Alfred E. Smith IV (C) laugh at the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie charity gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Credit: Getty Images)
U.S. President Barack Obama (2nd L) and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (L) share a laugh as Ann Romney (R) looks on at the 67th Annual Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel on October 18, 2012 in New York City. The lighthearted white-tie charity gala has long been a tradition of the presidential race. (Credit: Getty Images)
After he was done making fun of himself and his opponent, Romney set his sights on the media with a light-hearted, funny because it’s kind of true, slam.
“I never suggest that the press is biased. I recognize they have their job to do and I have a job to do. My job is to lay out a positive vision for the country, and their job is to make sure no one else finds out about it,” he joked.
He jokingly predicted Friday’s headlines about the charity dinner would read something like, “Obama Embraced by Catholics, Romney Dines With Rich People.”
Romney concluded by saying “there’s more to life than politics,” suggesting that he may disagree with Obama’s politics but harbors no “ill will” towards the president.
“Don’t tell anyone I said so, but our 44th president has many gifts and a beautiful family that would make any man proud,” Romney said.
Watch Romney’s speech here:
Newsday has more background on the event:
The white-tie affair raises millions for the Gov. Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation and is organized by the Catholic Archdiocese of New York to benefit needy children.
More than 1,600 were scheduled to attend the dinner. The menu includes poached lobster tail and dark chocolate tropical fruit cadeau. Tickets start at $2,500.
The diocese hopes to raise $5 million in grants this year. Last year it gave out $2 million in grants.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This story has been updated with additional information.
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Comments (357)
neverending
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:36pmAdmire Governor Romney for the great and genuine leader he, an amazing Father and husband and now we see the very funny that he has. Seen his humor in the past and just think this is something else about him that many never knew.
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dealer@678
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:47pmRomney won the election tonight. I think even Chris Matthews had a tingle up his leg
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NOFX
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:50pmIt looked like George Soros has Romney’s back and (of course) Chris Matthews was leaning forward towards Obama’s back (probably imagining getting pounded like a mallard duck). It’s good to see this side of Romney.
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ZZBlueComet
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 11:01pmRomney may not be that 100% true conservative that many of us yearn for, but he’s certainly more qualified and experienced than Obama. This country will really struggle if Obama gets a second term, helps ratify UN Treaty’s and passes his very liberal excutive orders, without any retribution of a losing a future election.
Ron Paul, Romney and other independents need to band together and get Obama off the throne he seems to think he sits on.
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godlovinmom
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 11:47pmFunny indeed…was that even legal…lol…I enjoyed that.
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USALOVER2011
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 11:54pmI just love, love this man! He is a God send from above to save us and to save this country! I can’t wait to call him Mr. President…. God bless him and his beautiful family!
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Jarhead 88
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 1:57amDealer – I think you are right.
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Kenszen
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 4:23amHe showed that he is a class act. (Unlike the soon-to-be-ex-Prez.) And as hilarious as his roast was, the closing acknowledgements were sincere, heart-felt, and superb. He’ll bring dignity back into the White House and to our country. The more I see of him, the more I like Mitt Romney.
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Benjamin Jarvis
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 7:36amNOFX and everybody else who thinks that is Soros, it’s not. Unless he got some major work done.
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rambosharley
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 7:50amMitt Romney….IS A FIRST CLASS AMERICAN MAN! I was happy to see this side of him! Thank you Dennis Mller!
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GRAMPA-D-NH
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:36pmMitt slayed. Only detraction was having to see Katie Couric’s mug for most of it.
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dealer@678
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:43pmYea , what was that skank doing there.
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1Archer4U
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 1:34amGrampa-D-NH, I thought that was great. Think about it G-Pa. (My mom’s G-ma) :) Anyway, her hypocrisy is being viewed all over the world tonight. I’m pretty sure even she knows America’s not a “Fool me Twice” kind of country. HAAA, poor little Katie… still wants the world to love her, even though her dreams of a State Run Media may well go up in flames Nov 6th. What say you, G-Pa?
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Gonzo
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 7:22amDid you hear the audience applause? It was huge. Obama looked tired and mad.
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McNamara
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:36pmClassic!!
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1Archer4U
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 1:42amMORE PLEASE… Dude, you’re wearing a cowboy hat. Really, “Classic” is all you wrote, nice. Say what’s really on your mind. Not nice to leave girls in the dark!… If you must, take the hat off! :)
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McNamara
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 9:08amSorry about the one word, one line. I was laughing to hard to be able to type properly without looking like an un-educated left wing loon.. He had great timing, and flow to his roast. His delivery and follow ups were great. The closing remarks at the end showed us his true human side. A lot of voters only know him through the left wing media rants and soundbytes. I think this will show his true self to the American pubilc and now they will understand how Presidential he is.
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Rational Man
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:36pmI’ve already heard some of the pundits saying that this little ‘speech’ of Romneys will not change any minds or help him any. I disagree. He hit on alot of important topics in a humorous way that can drive home the point and be funny at the same time. His serious closing words were perfect in my opinion too. He nailed the press pretty hard and made fun of Obama and his policies in a manner that was palatable and funny.
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GlennaBeckski
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:38pmYou got it!!!! Thanks for summing it all up for us!!
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NOFX
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:51pmexactly.
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Wildhorserider
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:53pmRomney ( Mitt ) brought a sharpend rapier , Hussain ( Barry ) brought a dull butter knife .
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Mrsnary
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:55pmThat is what Jon Stewart would sound like if he was conservative. Mitt was awesome. I want him to be president so bad.
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Advection
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 11:06pmHis jokes were hilarious, clever, and spot on. And he reminded me of Reagan.
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1Archer4U
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 1:46amSo nice to know the entire Counrty hasn’t been dumb-down! God Bless you Rational MAN!
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Worldsapart
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 2:41amMrsnary, that is what Jon Stewart would sound like if he was a conservative…and still funny.
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Rational Man
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 5:38amI may get scalded for posting this, but, this roast/speech reminded me of Sarah Palin’s RNC speech in 2007. Funny, sharp, edgy, sincere and truthful all at the same time. Also of Reagan’s memorable and witty jabs..
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dealer@678
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:32pmThe last 2 minutes of Romneys speech was something our founders would have said
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GlennaBeckski
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:32pmI’m telling the IRS on U
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Susie
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:32pmWhat can I say about Mr. Romney, except, what a class act he is.
His speech was priceless, absolutely priceless.
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Fla.Patriot
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:50pmAbsolutely agree. He was humorous without being snipey. A real class act. And what about Ann? She was absolutely stunning.Can’t think of a better couple to lease out our property at 1600 Pennsilvania Ave. too
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MrButcher
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 1:30amCheers and cheers.
Romney is going to win in a landslide.
But we all need to stand up and be class acts as well.
Lets get this right this time.
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Government_Goodies
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 7:26amWe are hungering for a statesman in this country. I believe Mr. Romney will bring back that distinguished character to the White House that has been missing for quite some time.
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Mapache
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:32pmAnd poor Chris Matthews….he was so excited being behind Obama that he kept dropping food out of his mouth.
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AnotherWay
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:31pmGreat leaders are servant leaders. And the key to sefvant leadership is humility. Humilty comes easy to Romney.
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GlennaBeckski
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:34pmWell said!! He looked extremely HANDSOME TOO!!!!!!
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floridareader
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:52pmObama, in the other hand, didn’t even mention cardinal Timothy Dolan, even though he was the host of the dinner. He mentioned the Catholic church only once, at the end of his speech, and didn’t bother to bring to the attention of the people present and the people watching on TV, the work that Al Smith Foundation does with the needy, since its inception back in 1946, when it was founded by cardinal Francis Spellman.
Romney not only did it like the leader he is but did it several times.
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sybilll
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:29pmI cannot wait to call him President Romney in just 19 short days.
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neverending
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:37pmYou are not alone!
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22AUTOMATIC
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:38pmBelow is an awesome clip of Reagan and Obama going head to head on economics from the flick “I want your money.” It reminded me of the last Rocky movie where they did a computer generated fight between Rocky in his prime and the new champ Mason Dixon. Well worth a watch! Send it to anyone who needs to understand why socialism never works.
http://youtu.be/3h8O7V-WxWQ
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floridareader
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:46pmAnd I loved when he said “last months of the President’s therm”.
That was great!
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floridareader
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:57pmsorry, I meant “term”
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godlovinmom
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 12:04amMe either..Florida…priceless indeed…this “speech” is gonna go down in history :)
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Wilma
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 12:05am@22Automatic, thanks for the link. It is a great video and I forgot to save it the first time I saw it.
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BigBoss305
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:29pmRomney was great. I was watching mslsd to see their reaction to it and they were all offended that Romney was so aggressive. Their whining was actually entertaining.
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Advection
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:34pmRomney brought the house down! He was great!
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mdman
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:27pmclass act ! Romney is a good man
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voodoolife
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:25pmShades of Reagan in that?!?! I noticed it! Anyone else?
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BigDadio
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:32pmYeah man, I saw it too…I hope we see 8 more years of it.
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ChicksLoveRight
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:33pmyes, that came to my mind too when I was watching!! So proud of our man:-)
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OlefromMN
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:33pmI am right there with you. In fact I was just scrolling comments to see if anybody else had the same feeling.
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Wool-Free Vision
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:44pmI’ve been getting that vibe off him since his foreign policy speech a month or two ago. I am cautiously optimistic about what this says about just how great for this country he might turn out to be.
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NancyBee
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:46pmWow…It was great…Romney got to all of them!!!
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pwatkins
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:49pmMany people have seen that. I knew Reagan was out there, just not sure whether it was Romney, but now I see. The Lord works in myterious ways. Our prayers are paying off. George Washington is spiritually around too, but you will never get him to run for president….right Glenn?
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LestWeForget
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 11:11pmoh yes. especially the joke about the press’s job.
Wool-Free, same for me! That was the first time I’d “heard” Reagan.
Keep praying, then don’t stop…
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pgson
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 12:01amAbsolutely. It’s so completely true. In the same way that Reagan was naturally funny and naturally warm, so is Romney (finally debunked, once and for all, that he isn’t funny. I love you, Glenn, but you also have to drop that not funny line, as Romney proved to the country his genuineness tonight!).
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Dismayed Veteran
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 9:14amI thought Romney did an excellent job. His jokes were funny and he made fun of himself. Obama was not as funny and looked tired.
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SouEu
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:23pmI watched this live – Romney was HILARIOUS! Never knew he had that in him. I was laughing so hard, I was in tears! Obama, on the other hand was kinda lame. Still laughing from Romney……
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GlennaBeckski
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:31pmRomney was Hilarious! Who’da thunk??
Hey was that SOROS behind him???
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Libermerican
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:33pmYeah, Romney had the better speech writer :)
That was funny, he had me cracking up too. Delivery was superb, as usual.
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ThorLoser
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 12:53amYup, that was definitely Spooky Dude George Soros behind him on the back row!
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Simonne
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 3:27amI didn’t think Romney could be that funny myself. I wasn’t even going to watch it but hadn’t changed the channel & I ended up laughing so hard.
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rich34952
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 10:13pmRepy to Glennabeckski: I thought the same thing when I saw the guy over Romney’s left should, but why would the Catholic Church invite a POS atheist like him.
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rickc34
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:21pmVery funny…Romney did a good job.
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endthemindlessspending
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:26pmtesting
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honor007
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:34pmI like funny Romney!!!!
he was good tonight :D
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RightThinking1
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:21pmRomney was more aggressive than I expected him to be…, and I’ll bet O didn’t like it.
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endthemindlessspending
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:28pmThey showed Obama a couple times and he looked pissed. Chris wasn’t too happy either about Romney’s speech. I know Romney didn’t write it, but he sure delivered it like a champ.
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BIGWUN
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:28pmAnd he also did not like it when Mitt used big words. O likes books with big pictures and small words.
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Wool-Free Vision
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:21pmRomney/Ryan 4
Obama/Biden 0
This is a blowout folks. Like Oregon all over ASU right now.
Credit to both candidates, they both did well on the jokes, but Romney did better.
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oblique
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:20pmDid anyone else notice that Obama in his speech said something like .. Mitt uses his middle name I’d like to use mine too. So instead of Barack, he wants Hussein Obama. Was this a joke, or didn’t I hear it right?
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Mapache
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:30pmThe President also referred to Anne Romney as “Ms. Romney.” Ugh.
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GlennaBeckski
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:37pmMAPACHE~To be fair .. Romney didn’t mention Obama’s wife … he went with Bill Clinton instead LOL.
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palmbeachbum
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 11:53pmyes that was odd (and you heard it right)
perhaps a dog whistle to scare us into voting for romney
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Stangb
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 12:10amObama was joking at himself, saying he wishes HE could use his middle name like Mitt does.
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CatharineDenver
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 2:45amYes, I heard it too. O said it and stood there waiting for a lot of laughter, he did get some, but it was nervous laughter. O wasn’t smiling, he was deadpanning, so I think it was a double entendre. I have never thought he was as smart as people built him up to be. This was a stupid thing to say, everyone will be looking for the hidden meaning. What was he really trying to say?
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freenj
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:20pmRomney did a great job, Obama not so much!
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OlefromMN
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:51pmObama came off as very flat. Some of the self-deprecating was funny, but really poorly timed.
As Jim Carey would say…”Smells like heartbreak to me”. I think Obama is coming to grips with his doneness.
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Rational Man
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:14pmRomney’s roast of Obama made me laugh harder than I have for quite some time. I will watch it again!
Obama had a couple of good jokes, but his delivery was flat.
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bschauerte
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:46pmso right
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CatB
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 12:49amYes I heard it the first time in the car on the radio .. had to get home so that I could watch it …on video even better and I was laughing out loud in the car!
R & R 2012!
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BIGWUN
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:14pmGreat going, Mitt. I see Bill Clinton brought his wooden puppet. Oh, sorry. I did not recogninize O for a minute there.
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pwatkins
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:14pmRomney was awesome….loved every word he spoke.
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Tigress1
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:12pmSmokin’! Romney was great again! Very funny! :)
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Oneirishman
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:11pmWill Obama be invited to be keynote at the Alfred E. Newman Dinner? He certainly has the ears for it.
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BIGWUN
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:18pmActually, O will deliver the KeyNut address…
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NancyBee
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:50pmI was thinking about Alfred E. Newmann the whole time I was watching ….lol
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RightThinking1
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:51pm“What, me worry?”
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dealer@678
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:11pmBeck was wrong when he said Mitt was’nt funny. The guy was hilarious AND he clinched the election tonight !!!!!!!!!!!!!
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neverending
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:31pmBeck didn’t think it was funny? I missed that.
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Jarhead 88
Posted on October 18, 2012 at 10:55pmBeck said Romney shouldn’t try to be funny during the debates because it’s not something he’s good at. I think he was just proven wrong, at least in a non-debate format and I bet Beck even says he had Mitt wrong, I had him wrong too. He was very funny, humble, and likeable.
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neverending
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 1:57amThank you JARHEAD 88!
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CatharineDenver
Posted on October 19, 2012 at 2:49amI loved watching him! He has that same Reagan aire; made me feel like everything is going to be all right, just like Ronnie used to. Handsome too!
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