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| Obama and Romney's one-liners to diners made a tasty Al Smith dinner | Obama and Romney's one-liners to diners made a tasty Al Smith dinner |
| (4 months later) | |
| Into the Waldorf they waddled, two by two, elected officials and the most recognizable faces in news. The grandees were seated on the stage – ABC's daytime star Katie Couric behind New York state governor Andrew Cuomo; MSNBC's attack dog Chris Matthews within fork-stabbing distance of governor Mitt Romney. The president sat next to the podium, smile fixed. Next to him was a large man with a small red cap. | Into the Waldorf they waddled, two by two, elected officials and the most recognizable faces in news. The grandees were seated on the stage – ABC's daytime star Katie Couric behind New York state governor Andrew Cuomo; MSNBC's attack dog Chris Matthews within fork-stabbing distance of governor Mitt Romney. The president sat next to the podium, smile fixed. Next to him was a large man with a small red cap. |
| By the time they finished talking, the 67th annual Alfred E Smith dinner had made good on its promise of a moment of fun in a season of frowns. "It's nice to finally relax and wear what Ann and I wear around the house," Romney began, succeeding at the forbidding task of the tuxedo joke. His 10-minute speech was frequently interrupted by the whole room laughing. | By the time they finished talking, the 67th annual Alfred E Smith dinner had made good on its promise of a moment of fun in a season of frowns. "It's nice to finally relax and wear what Ann and I wear around the house," Romney began, succeeding at the forbidding task of the tuxedo joke. His 10-minute speech was frequently interrupted by the whole room laughing. |
| "We were chatting pleasantly this evening as if Tuesday never happened," Romney said of President Obama and their most recent feisty debate. "I was actually hoping that the president would bring Joe Biden along this evening, because he'll laugh at anything." | "We were chatting pleasantly this evening as if Tuesday never happened," Romney said of President Obama and their most recent feisty debate. "I was actually hoping that the president would bring Joe Biden along this evening, because he'll laugh at anything." |
| The president got off to an even better start: "Everyone please take your seats," he said. "Otherwise Clint Eastwood will yell at them." | The president got off to an even better start: "Everyone please take your seats," he said. "Otherwise Clint Eastwood will yell at them." |
| "In less than three weeks, voters in states like Ohio, Virginia and Florida will decide this incredibly important election," Obama continued. "Which begs the question, 'What are we doing here?'" It was a crowd-killer, solecism notwithstanding. | "In less than three weeks, voters in states like Ohio, Virginia and Florida will decide this incredibly important election," Obama continued. "Which begs the question, 'What are we doing here?'" It was a crowd-killer, solecism notwithstanding. |
| The lines of the night? From the president: "Of course the economy's on everybody's minds. The unemployment rate is at the lowest level since I took office. [Pause.] I don't have a joke here. I just thought it would be useful to remind everybody that the unemployment rate is at its lowest level since I took office." | The lines of the night? From the president: "Of course the economy's on everybody's minds. The unemployment rate is at the lowest level since I took office. [Pause.] I don't have a joke here. I just thought it would be useful to remind everybody that the unemployment rate is at its lowest level since I took office." |
| From the president, on his name: | From the president, on his name: |
| Ultimately though tonight's not about the disagreements Governor Romney and I may have. It's what we have in common, beginning with our unusual middle names. Actually Mitt is his middle name. I wish I could use my middle name. | Ultimately though tonight's not about the disagreements Governor Romney and I may have. It's what we have in common, beginning with our unusual middle names. Actually Mitt is his middle name. I wish I could use my middle name. |
From the president, on Paul Ryan's marathon: | From the president, on Paul Ryan's marathon: |
| I have to admit it can be a grind. Sometimes it feels like this race has dragged on forever. But Paul Ryan assured me that we have only been running for two hours and 50-something minutes. | I have to admit it can be a grind. Sometimes it feels like this race has dragged on forever. But Paul Ryan assured me that we have only been running for two hours and 50-something minutes. |
| From Romney, on his opponent: | From Romney, on his opponent: |
| 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. | 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. |
| From Romney, on the secret to his debate prep: | From Romney, on the secret to his debate prep: |
| First, refrain from alcohol for 65 years before the debate. | First, refrain from alcohol for 65 years before the debate. |
| Mitt Romney's full speech | Mitt Romney's full speech |
| Barack Obama's full speech | Barack Obama's full speech |
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