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Obama's best put-downs

 

Friday 22 March 2013 10:55 GMT
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The President displayed his talent for stand-up at the annual White House correspondents’ dinner
The President displayed his talent for stand-up at the annual White House correspondents’ dinner

Maybe in another world...US Political comedian Dean Obeidallah has put together a piece for CNN on why "Obama would make a great stand-up comic". The President has shown plenty of wit (some scripted) over the last five years, particularly at the White House Correspondents' Dinner. But Obeidallah contends it's not just delivery that makes Obama funny; "he uses jokes the same way many of us comedians do: as a weapon". Here's a selection of the President's best put-downs:

Sarah Palin, 2008

After Vice-Presidential nominee Palin declared herself a "pitbull in lipstick", Obama responded: “You can put lipstick on a pig . . . it’s still a pig.”

Romney, 2012

"I guess Gov. Romney is feeling pretty good about things, because he took a few hours off the other day to see The Hunger Games... It's a movie about people who court wealthy sponsors and then brutally savage each other until only one contestant is left standing. I'm sure this was a really good change of pace for him."

“Of course world affairs are a challenge for every candidate. After- some of you guys remember- after my foreign trip in 2008 I was attacked as a celebrity because I was so popular with our allies overseas. I have to say I am impressed with how well Governor Romney has avoided that problem.”

Matt Damon, 2012

"Matt Damon said he was disappointed in my performance [as President]. Well, Matt, I just saw The Adjustment Bureau so right back atcha, buddy."

Donald Trump, 2012

On the origins of their dispute: ""This all dates back to when we were growing up in Kenya. We had constant run-ins on the soccer field, he wasn't very good and resented it."

After Obama released his birth certificate: "he [Trump] can finally get back to focuing on the issues that matter, like ‘Did we fake the moon landing?’ ‘What really happened in Roswell?’ And, ‘Where are Biggie and Tupac?’”

Have you got other favourites? Let us know in the comments.

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